Casey Doherty
LightNews LightNews
banner
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Casey Doherty
@caseydoherty.bsky.social
630 followers 520 following 310 posts
Disability policy analyst @americanprogress.bsky.social by day, disability studies PhD student by night, disabled activist by later night.
ME/Long Covid/Lyme/MCAS/etc.
Cat mom!
she/her. Opinions my own.
Posts Replies Media Videos
caseydoherty.bsky.social
IDEA serves children as young as infancy and toddlerhood through its Part C early intervention services. But administrative and funding barriers mean only about half who qualify are enrolled. #IDEA50
A photo of a young boy wearing glasses, giving a high-five to an unseen adult hand. The title banner reads "IDEA AT 50." Text is overlaid on the bottom half of the image: "IDEA serves children as young as infancy and toddlerhood through its Part C early intervention services. But administrative and funding barriers mean only about half who qualify are enrolled." The source is cited at the bottom.
November 19, 2025 at 8:10 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
The Department of Education’s recent Facebook post is disgusting and incorrect. It is 1) making a mockery of the government shutdown that drastically harmed Americans and 2) making a mockery of the absolutely critical work the Department of Education does.
Facebook post from the U.S. Department of Education. The post reads, “We heard our Out of Office emails got some attention during the government shutdown. Time for an update.” Below is a photo of a fake out of office email to “America” with the subject line “OOO: Hopefully For Good Soon.” The body of the email reads, “Thank you for your email. We might be away from our desks attending strategic assessments, creating more red tape, and doing nothing to improve student outcomes. If this matter is urgent, we recommend you reach out to your state or local education department. They tend to be quicker, clearer, and closer to the actual issue. Bureaucratically Yours, The U.S. Department of Education.”
November 18, 2025 at 2:22 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Thank you @aapd.com for including me in the 30th anniversary celebration!

I was born just a few years after the ADA passage & founding of AAPD. I’ve only ever known a disability community that’s interconnected, organizing, and building power together. Here’s to the next 30 years🫶
Casey, a white woman with dark blonde hair wearing a black dress and black KN95 mask, and Charles, a multiracial man wearing a navy suit, patterned tie, and black KN95 mask, lean in towards each other at a table. Behind them is a ballroom and Maria Town featured speaking on a screen.
November 7, 2025 at 9:19 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
The Trump admin withdrew a proposed rule that would have phased out a waiver allowing employers to pay disabled workers less than the federal minimum wage. Subminimum wages keep disabled workers in poverty.

Learn more: www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...
A person wearing an apron washes dishes in a kitchen. The text reads, “The Trump administration withdrew a proposed rule to end subminimum wages for disabled workers, keeping approximately 40K people in poverty.” The CAP logo is in the bottom right corner. Photo by Getty Images.
September 3, 2025 at 2:52 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Trump’s VA plan: 83k layoffs & 585+ canceled contracts (addressing exposure to burn pits/Agent Orange, cancer research, & suicide prevention). Disabled veterans will lose vital services—just one front in Trump's war on the disability community.

www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...
Image of a person receiving medical testing, with sensors on their head, shoulders, and neck. The text reads, “The VA proposed laying off 83,000 employees and canceled 585+ contracts, including some addressing burn pits, Agent Orange, cancer, and suicide prevention. This will gut care and services for disabled veterans." The CAP logo is in the bottom right corner. Photo by Getty Images.
August 25, 2025 at 8:06 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Access to government programs/activities/info is a right, not a privilege. Yet the WH removed key accessibility tools—ASL in press briefings, its accessibility webpage, & ADA guidance for businesses—violating Section 504.

This is just one way the Trump admin is attacking the disability community.
Image of Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt at the podium. Underneath the podium are the words, "The White House has ignored Section 504 and removed critical accessibility tools, such as the use of ASL in press briefings and on the White House YouTube, the White House accessibility webpage, and 11 pieces of ADA guidance for businesses." In the bottom right corner is the CAP logo.
August 21, 2025 at 8:24 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that making D.C. “safe and beautiful” “involves removing mentally disturbed individuals and homeless encampments.”

This is an ugly law. This is disappearing disabled and unhoused people.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaking at the podium. The caption reads, “safe and beautiful, and that remove [sic] involving removing.” Leavitt speaking at the podium. The caption reads, “mentally disturbed individuals and homeless encampments as well.”
August 12, 2025 at 9:31 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
I’m sharing how federal policy changes are driving a wave of structural violence against disabled people. Video coming soon!

Our new report breaks down the actions since January 2025 that have disproportionately harmed the disability community: www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...
Casey, a white woman with dark blonde hair wearing a black shirt and black and white patterned pants, speaking to the camera. She is in a park; behind her is foliage.
August 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
I had the BEST time at the @disabilitylab.bsky.social x @crushcolonialism.bsky.social x @newdisabledsouth.org Disability Culture Cabaret: Pride Edition last night.

Amazing performances, strong community, and COVID precautions to boot! Thanks for creating this space.❤️
Casey and Mercy seated side by side at a table at an outdoor bar. Casey is wearing a white 3m Aura N95 mask with a colorful flower mask chain, a white shirt, a black tank top, and black shorts, with a fan around her neck. She has her hands raised in a playful gesture. Mercy is leaning into Casey and wearing a brown, white, and blue patterned shirt with jeans. They are both smiling (Casey is smiling under her mask!).
August 1, 2025 at 1:04 AM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Sharing why I fight to protect and expand Medicaid. What’s your why? #ProtectMedicaid

Join the livestream here: protectmedicaidvigil.com

@caringacross.org @littlelobbyists.com
Casey stands in front of a reporter and a videographer. They are outside at the Medicaid Vigil at night, in front of a white cooling/event tent and trees.
July 26, 2025 at 12:57 AM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Couples who fight for Medicaid together stay together! #ProtectMedicaid

Join the Medicaid vigil now through Saturday morning! More info and livestream here: protectmedicaidvigil.com

@caringacross.org @littlelobbyists.com
Selfie of Casey, a white woman with blonde hair, and Charles, a multiracial man with black hair, in front of the US Capitol building at dusk. They are both wearing blue shirts that say "Protect Medicaid."
July 24, 2025 at 8:40 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Out here with @caringacross.org and @littlelobbyists.com to say CANCEL THE CUTS and PROTECT MEDICAID!

These candles represent the nearly 80 million people who rely on Medicaid. Each of the people represented by these candles risks losing essential care due to Medicaid cuts. #ProtectMedicaid
Rows of lit candles in paper bags in the foreground with the Washington Monument in the background.
July 24, 2025 at 3:31 AM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Grateful to gather with friends and community members at @aapd.com and @ncil.bsky.social's celebration of the ADA’s 35th anniversary. If you're also working on equitable disability policy, accessibility, expanding our social safety net, etc, I’d love to chat!
Casey and Mercy pose in front of a background reading “Lead On” and National Council on Independent Living. Casey is holding a sign reading “Disability Rights are Civil Rights” and Mercy is holding a sign reading “Formidable #Roar.”
July 23, 2025 at 7:27 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Sanders said, “The disability community changed this country for the better.” He’s right. We continue to, even in the face of civil rights violations, cuts to essential services, and persistent discrimination.

Glad to fight alongside my friends and community members. @seemiaroll.bsky.social
Hua Hui, Casey, and Mia outside at a rally. There are people in blue shirts and trees behind them.
July 22, 2025 at 6:04 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Joined the @ncil.bsky.social #ADA35 rally yesterday, where leaders like Rep. Simon and Sen. Sanders spoke. Sanders reminded us that the ADA wasn’t a gift - it was won by disabled people who marched, sat in, and crawled up the Capitol steps. They - and we - refused to be ignored.
A group of people in blue shirts watch Sen. Bernie Sanders speak on an outdoor stage. An ASL interpreter is beside him.
July 22, 2025 at 6:03 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Mood going into the 35th anniversary of the ADA while we’re facing attacks from all sides. Glad to be in community with folks at the @ncil.bsky.social rally today - more to come! #NCIL2025
Selfie of Casey, a white woman with dark blonde hair wearing a white 3m Aura N95 mask, with the US Capitol building in the distance. Casey is wearing a green shirt that depicts a wheelchair user breaking free of chains and says “Community Integration: It’s Our Civil Right!”
July 22, 2025 at 1:44 AM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Grateful to attend a Social Security 90th anniversary event this week with leaders like @seemiaroll.bsky.social and @mariatown.bsky.social. I look forward to continuing to fight for stronger benefits for all.
Casey, Hua Hui, Maria, and Mia gathered at the National Press Club. Behind them are wood panels, curtains, and an American flag.
July 18, 2025 at 8:20 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
I am thrilled to join the Including Disability Editorial Board!
ojs.scholarsportal.info/ontariotechu...
A collage of bright abstract patterns with colors of red, purple, green, and gold frame a hand drawn face with looping black lines. Above the face reads the title of the journal Including Disability. This is also handwritten in cursive vertically in the center of the page, overlapping with the colorful cutouts. Created by Alex Pilon @alexjamesonline, Artistic Director, Including Disability.
June 20, 2025 at 8:55 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Monday, May 12th was International Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) Awareness Day. After trying to rest and recover from attending a #MillionsMissing protest with @meactnet.bsky.social, I’m ready to share.
3 people, one using a wheelchair, all wearing red shirts and masks. Casey is holding a sign depicting the Statue of Liberty drowning and "SOS." Another sign reads "Do not look away from us." Behind us is the Capitol building, trees, and a cloudy sky.
May 16, 2025 at 5:06 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Friends fight for Medicaid together!

Check out the livestream of the Medicaid vigil here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBo0...
Selfie of Amanda on the left and Casey on the right. They are both wearing blue shirts with the words “Protect Medicaid” written in white text. Amanda is wearing a white KN95 mask and Casey is wearing a white 3m Aura N95 mask with a colorful flower mask chain.
May 8, 2025 at 12:32 AM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
The 24-hour storytelling vigil is going strong, just like the fight to protect Medicaid. Join us to tell Congress #HandsOffMedicaid @seemiaroll.bsky.social @caringacross.org
Selfie of Mia and Casey in front of the US Capitol building. There is cloudy blue sky, trees, and grass behind them. Mia is smiling and wearing a hat and sunglasses. Casey is wearing a white 3m Aura N95 mask with a colorful flower mask chain.
May 7, 2025 at 8:53 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
Let’s go fight to save Medicaid! #ProtectMedicaid @caringacross.org @littlelobbyists.bsky.social
Selfie of Casey. Casey is wearing a pink shirt with the words “disability justice is love” written in white text. The “o” in “love” is a red heart. Casey is wearing a white 3m Aura N95 mask with a colorful flower mask chain. Her blonde hair is down. Behind Casey is a multicolored ADAPT poster.
May 7, 2025 at 4:34 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
I enjoyed presenting at the Penn State Feminist Perspectives on Body, Disability, and Health Conference! A common thread on my panel was the infantilization and marginalization of people with chronic illnesses and energy-limiting disabilities. I look forward to continuing the conversation.
Casey is presenting via Zoom. The slide reads, "Artivism in the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Community: A Study in Power, Protest, and Accessibility" and "Casey Doherty, University of Nevada, Reno, March 5, 2025," with a University of Nevada, Reno logo.
March 5, 2025 at 8:02 PM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
This is horrific
Screenshot of the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System webpage. The following text is in a yellow box on the page: Per a court order, HHS is required to restore this website as of 11:59PM ET, February 11, 2025. Any information on this page promoting gender ideology is extremely inaccurate and disconnected from the immutable biological reality that there are two sexes, male and female. The Trump Administration rejects gender ideology and condemns the harms it causes to children, by promoting their chemical and surgical mutilation, and to women, by depriving them of their dignity, safety, well-being, and opportunities. This page does not reflect biological reality and therefore the Administration and this Department rejects it.
February 15, 2025 at 12:38 AM
caseydoherty.bsky.social
We enjoyed meeting with disability rights leaders from Georgia as part of the State Dept's International Visitor Leadership Program. We shared policy & advocacy priorities & found commonalities between disability rights efforts in our two countries. Thanks for joining me and @seemiaroll.bsky.social!
A group of people, 5 in the room and one on screen, smile for the photo.
February 5, 2025 at 9:26 PM