Maria Town
@mariatown.bsky.social
Disability Advocate. Cat Mom.
I have not been able to leave my apartment since Friday, January 23rd. While the sidewalk next to me has been cleared, the curb cut is an extreme winter sports event course, as are the three other curb cuts at the intersection.
February 2, 2026 at 1:34 AM
I have not been able to leave my apartment since Friday, January 23rd. While the sidewalk next to me has been cleared, the curb cut is an extreme winter sports event course, as are the three other curb cuts at the intersection.
Reposted by Maria Town
Homeless women face unique health challenges with few dedicated resources. And as the number of women experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles continues to grow, Dr. Mary Marfisee hopes to bring them lifesaving resources.
Unhoused women on Skid Row face dire health outcomes. This doctor wants to change that
Homeless women face unique health challenges with few dedicated resources. And as the number of women experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles continues to grow, Dr. Mary Marfisee hopes to bring them lifesaving resources.
n.pr
January 17, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Homeless women face unique health challenges with few dedicated resources. And as the number of women experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles continues to grow, Dr. Mary Marfisee hopes to bring them lifesaving resources.
Reposted by Maria Town
This was my big concern with RFK Jr.'s fearmongering about autism: That it would lead to the rationalization of draconian quack "treatments" for autism. arstechnica.com/health/2026/...
FDA deletes warning on bogus autism therapies touted by RFK Jr.‘s allies
The agency used to warn of chelation, used by RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine ally David Geier.
arstechnica.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:33 PM
This was my big concern with RFK Jr.'s fearmongering about autism: That it would lead to the rationalization of draconian quack "treatments" for autism. arstechnica.com/health/2026/...
Reposted by Maria Town
You've probably been following the story about fraud in MN. I wrote about the people who provide services who are being driven into bankruptcy, thanks to the Walz' administration decision to hire Optum AI to screen all payments. It's a disaster.
Perry: Trusted providers are being unfairly swept up in Minnesota’s fraud crackdown
As the state's new anti-fraud screening system went into effect, the Holland Center expected to receive $212,000 in payments. It instead received $22,000, David M. Perry writes. If nothing changes soo...
www.startribune.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:53 AM
You've probably been following the story about fraud in MN. I wrote about the people who provide services who are being driven into bankruptcy, thanks to the Walz' administration decision to hire Optum AI to screen all payments. It's a disaster.
Reposted by Maria Town
... that’s Step Three in the autocrat's playbook.
In our democracy, actions of this magnitude and decisions about what happens next, must go through Congress - not be dictated by a president who admires authoritarians and rules like one.
In our democracy, actions of this magnitude and decisions about what happens next, must go through Congress - not be dictated by a president who admires authoritarians and rules like one.
January 3, 2026 at 5:21 PM
... that’s Step Three in the autocrat's playbook.
In our democracy, actions of this magnitude and decisions about what happens next, must go through Congress - not be dictated by a president who admires authoritarians and rules like one.
In our democracy, actions of this magnitude and decisions about what happens next, must go through Congress - not be dictated by a president who admires authoritarians and rules like one.
Reposted by Maria Town
Foreign policy is not the personal domain of a president. Congress has a constitutional role to serve as the voice of the people and a restraint on power. One of the oldest moves in the authoritarian playbook is to sideline the legislature and strip away checks and balances...
January 3, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Foreign policy is not the personal domain of a president. Congress has a constitutional role to serve as the voice of the people and a restraint on power. One of the oldest moves in the authoritarian playbook is to sideline the legislature and strip away checks and balances...
Reposted by Maria Town
Nicolás Maduro is a brutal dictator who has caused immense suffering. However, the way to fight authoritarianism abroad is not to embrace it at home.
January 3, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Nicolás Maduro is a brutal dictator who has caused immense suffering. However, the way to fight authoritarianism abroad is not to embrace it at home.
Reposted by Maria Town
“I’m honored to be your ancestor and believe that disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don’t let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.”
Hero of 2025: Alice Wong
The disability justice icon's last message: "Don’t let the bastards grind you down."
www.motherjones.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:32 PM
“I’m honored to be your ancestor and believe that disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don’t let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.”
Reposted by Maria Town
For my hero of 2025 at @motherjones.com, I wrote about the late great disabled disability justice oracle Alice Wong, including her work with Disability Visibility Project, Crips for eSims for Gaza, and #CripTheVote. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Hero of 2025: Alice Wong
The disability justice icon's last message: "Don’t let the bastards grind you down."
www.motherjones.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:08 PM
For my hero of 2025 at @motherjones.com, I wrote about the late great disabled disability justice oracle Alice Wong, including her work with Disability Visibility Project, Crips for eSims for Gaza, and #CripTheVote. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Maria Town
Some work I’m proud of from this year (all of the links are gift links)…
I joined street-medicine teams in Phoenix in July as they tried to help unhoused people cope with increasingly extreme heat:
I joined street-medicine teams in Phoenix in July as they tried to help unhoused people cope with increasingly extreme heat:
Homeless and Burning in America’s Hottest City
www.nytimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Some work I’m proud of from this year (all of the links are gift links)…
I joined street-medicine teams in Phoenix in July as they tried to help unhoused people cope with increasingly extreme heat:
I joined street-medicine teams in Phoenix in July as they tried to help unhoused people cope with increasingly extreme heat:
Reposted by Maria Town
Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities. n.pr/4pWshr5
Disability rights advocate Bob Kafka dead at 79
Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities.
n.pr
December 27, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities. n.pr/4pWshr5
Reposted by Maria Town
The caregiving industry could not survive without immigrants. But a third of the staff at one Miami nursing home lost their jobs after the Trump administration ended the programs letting them work legally.
www.notus.org/immigration/...
www.notus.org/immigration/...
‘A Demographic Ticking Time Bomb’: Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Comes for Seniors’ Caretakers
Thirteen percent of immigrants providing long-term care in people’s homes are noncitizens.
www.notus.org
December 27, 2025 at 7:52 PM
The caregiving industry could not survive without immigrants. But a third of the staff at one Miami nursing home lost their jobs after the Trump administration ended the programs letting them work legally.
www.notus.org/immigration/...
www.notus.org/immigration/...
Reposted by Maria Town
Also worth noting that it doesn't seem to account for family caregivers, e.g. a parent who may have left the workforce, and is not at school, in order to care for another family member!
December 26, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Also worth noting that it doesn't seem to account for family caregivers, e.g. a parent who may have left the workforce, and is not at school, in order to care for another family member!
Reposted by Maria Town
Critiquing social programs and thinking about how they can do better is good, actually. NM is clearly moving toward making this program more inclusive and easier to access over time. I hope that those involved in implementation are thinking about how to incorporate disablity into the future.
December 26, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Critiquing social programs and thinking about how they can do better is good, actually. NM is clearly moving toward making this program more inclusive and easier to access over time. I hope that those involved in implementation are thinking about how to incorporate disablity into the future.
Reposted by Maria Town
I want to be clear that I'm not saying this program is bad, or that the state is acting in bad faith, or that other states shouldn't take this example and run with it. I AM saying that anyone advocating for universal childcare needs to be thinking about how it connects with disablity.
December 26, 2025 at 11:18 PM
I want to be clear that I'm not saying this program is bad, or that the state is acting in bad faith, or that other states shouldn't take this example and run with it. I AM saying that anyone advocating for universal childcare needs to be thinking about how it connects with disablity.
Reposted by Maria Town
The other is the work/school requirements. This kind of means testing in general isn't great. NM waives in some settings (such as grandparents or housing unstable families), but there does not appear to be a carveout for disabled parents, who I guess don't exist or matter.
December 26, 2025 at 11:17 PM
The other is the work/school requirements. This kind of means testing in general isn't great. NM waives in some settings (such as grandparents or housing unstable families), but there does not appear to be a carveout for disabled parents, who I guess don't exist or matter.
Reposted by Maria Town
One is the fact that some disabled children need medical daycare, which is a really scarce resource. Some childcare facilities will also exclude disabled children even when they don't need specialized care because they're worried about liablity. I'm not seeing much discussion on addressing this!
December 26, 2025 at 11:15 PM
One is the fact that some disabled children need medical daycare, which is a really scarce resource. Some childcare facilities will also exclude disabled children even when they don't need specialized care because they're worried about liablity. I'm not seeing much discussion on addressing this!
Reposted by Maria Town
Not to be That Person but watching the discourse around New Mexico's universal free childcare program, which, to be clear, is a really good start, I don't see a lot of engagement with two pretty significant disablity issues...
December 26, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Not to be That Person but watching the discourse around New Mexico's universal free childcare program, which, to be clear, is a really good start, I don't see a lot of engagement with two pretty significant disablity issues...
Reposted by Maria Town
BREAKING: Federal judge rules that the Trump administration likely illegally suspended SNAP benefits, ruling that at least reduced distribution is required to go forward under law using the $6 billion reserve fund.
Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
![UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS ET AL.,
Plaintiffs,
V.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ET AL.,
Defendants.
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Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-13165-IT
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
October 31, 2025
TALWANI, D.J.
Pending before the court is Plaintiffs' Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order [Doc.
No. 3] seeking to enjoin, on an emergency basis, Defendants' November 1, 2025 suspension of benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ("SNAP"). For the reasons stated
below, Plaintiffs have standing to bring this action and are likely to succeed on their claim that
Defendants' suspension of SNAP benefits is unlawful. Where that suspension of benefits rested
on an erroneous construction of the relevant statutory provisions, the court will allow Defendants
to consider whether they will authorize at least reduced SNAP benefits for November, and report
back to the court no later than Monday, November 3, 2025.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreiczapq36myqhzcrdp4jfodg5rkso7nuvlta4e5b5r4l5upce7b3le@jpeg)
![As both parties acknowledge, Congress has not yet appropriated any new funds for SNAP
benefits for Fiscal Year 2026, which began on October 1, 2025. Pls.' Mem. 6 [Doc. No. 4];
Defs.' Opp'n 7 [Doc. No. 18]. But Congress took steps to protect against the deprivation of
SNAP assistance. In the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Pub. L. No. 118-42, § 6, 138
Stat. 25, 93-94, Congress separately appropriated $6 billion to the SNAP program "to remain available through September 30, 2026" and "be placed in reserve for use only in such amounts and at such times as may become necessary to carry out program operations." See also Pub. L.
No. 119-4, § 1101(a), 139 Stat. 9, 10 (2025). As Plaintiffs point out, given the mandatory nature
of SNAP benefits under 7 U.S.C. § 2014(a) and the appropriation of these funds to be available
10
Case 1:25-cv-13165-IT
Document 26 Filed 10/31/25
Page 11 of 15
through this current fiscal year, the government is obligated to use this contingent reserve
account to fund SNAP "as may become necessary to carry out program operations." 138 Stat. at
93-94; Pls.' Mem. 11 [Doc. No. 4].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreiac7aa6icx44x5xjkilpwj7il5oriyttttnrslzrhkwvw6b32cbnm@jpeg)
October 31, 2025 at 5:59 PM
BREAKING: Federal judge rules that the Trump administration likely illegally suspended SNAP benefits, ruling that at least reduced distribution is required to go forward under law using the $6 billion reserve fund.
Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
Reposted by Maria Town
“Given how many people with disabilities rely on benefits from government programs, this shutdown is especially harmful for the disability community” - @mariatown.bsky.social, @aapd.com
#DisabilityJustice
www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/10/28/g...
#DisabilityJustice
www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/10/28/g...
Government Shutdown Has Disability Providers 'Running On Fumes'
Nearly a month into the federal shutdown, some organizations aiding people with disabilities are starting to scale back services as the effects begin to mount.
www.disabilityscoop.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:42 PM
“Given how many people with disabilities rely on benefits from government programs, this shutdown is especially harmful for the disability community” - @mariatown.bsky.social, @aapd.com
#DisabilityJustice
www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/10/28/g...
#DisabilityJustice
www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/10/28/g...
Reposted by Maria Town
Judge Indira Talwani acknowledged this will leave millions of people without assistance starting Saturday. Two dozen Democratic-led states had sued over the administration's decision to suspend SNAP. n.pr/3JxdjHW
Judge gives Trump administration until Monday to have a plan for SNAP benefits
Judge Indira Talwani acknowledged this will leave millions of people without assistance starting Saturday. Two dozen Democratic-led states had sued over the administration's decision to suspend SNAP.
n.pr
October 31, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Judge Indira Talwani acknowledged this will leave millions of people without assistance starting Saturday. Two dozen Democratic-led states had sued over the administration's decision to suspend SNAP. n.pr/3JxdjHW
Reposted by Maria Town
BREAKING: Judges order the federal government to use contingency funds for SNAP food aid payments during the shutdown.
Judges order the Trump administration to use contingency funds for SNAP payments during the shutdown
Two federal judge have ruled that the Trump administration must continue to fund the SNAP food aid program using contingency funds during the government shutdown.
bit.ly
October 31, 2025 at 6:26 PM
BREAKING: Judges order the federal government to use contingency funds for SNAP food aid payments during the shutdown.
Reposted by Maria Town
2026 Applications for the Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leaders Award close TOMORROW at 5 PM ET! Recipients receive $25,000 for leadership development and to advance a bold idea for people with disabilities.
Go to our website to apply and learn more: www.aapd.com/paul-g-hearn...
Go to our website to apply and learn more: www.aapd.com/paul-g-hearn...
Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leaders Award - AAPD
The AAPD Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Awards recognizes outstanding emerging leaders with disabilities who exemplify leadership, advocacy, and dedication to the broader cross-disability community.
www.aapd.com
October 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
2026 Applications for the Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leaders Award close TOMORROW at 5 PM ET! Recipients receive $25,000 for leadership development and to advance a bold idea for people with disabilities.
Go to our website to apply and learn more: www.aapd.com/paul-g-hearn...
Go to our website to apply and learn more: www.aapd.com/paul-g-hearn...
Reposted by Maria Town
This week on The State of Belief: Rev. @raushenbush.bsky.social is joined by @thecelinafactor.bsky.social, CEO of @lwvus.bsky.social!
League of Women Voters CEO Celena Stewart: Courage is Not the Absence of Fear
Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters, joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to talk about the organization's history, as well as its role in this challenging time for many voters.
www.interfaithalliance.org
October 8, 2025 at 1:46 PM
This week on The State of Belief: Rev. @raushenbush.bsky.social is joined by @thecelinafactor.bsky.social, CEO of @lwvus.bsky.social!
Reposted by Maria Town
The programs will continue to receive grant funding, but only for one year.
“It is still a disruption to families,’’ Lisa McConachie of the Oregon DeafBlind Project said. “It creates this mistrust, that you are gone and back and gone and back.”
“It is still a disruption to families,’’ Lisa McConachie of the Oregon DeafBlind Project said. “It creates this mistrust, that you are gone and back and gone and back.”
Education Dept. Reverses Decision to Halt Funds for Deafblind Student Programs
Following public outcry, the Department of Education has reversed its decision to cut funding for students who have both hearing and vision loss, opting instead to reroute grants to an organization th...
www.propublica.org
October 17, 2025 at 8:52 PM
The programs will continue to receive grant funding, but only for one year.
“It is still a disruption to families,’’ Lisa McConachie of the Oregon DeafBlind Project said. “It creates this mistrust, that you are gone and back and gone and back.”
“It is still a disruption to families,’’ Lisa McConachie of the Oregon DeafBlind Project said. “It creates this mistrust, that you are gone and back and gone and back.”