Disability Law United
LightNews LightNews
banner
dlunited.bsky.social
Disability Law United
@dlunited.bsky.social
220 followers 130 following 130 posts
Eliminating discrimination at every intersection. 💪 Since 2013, we’ve taken cases to defend the rights of people with disabilities, and we’re ready to continue.

Impact litigation & advocacy for intersectional disability justice, nationwide.
Posts Replies Media Videos
dlunited.bsky.social
This #GivingTuesday, when you donate to support DLU, your gift means:

1. City & local governments include people with disabilities in their emergency plans, so no one is left behind when disaster strikes

1/6
On a purple background, large, bold gold and white text reads "This Giving Tuesday, Make Disability Rights Your Cause." The DLU logo is centered at the bottom of the image.
December 2, 2025 at 7:21 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
We're saddened by the loss of Alice Wong, who was a brilliant & fierce advocate for disability justice.

1/2
The image is of Alice Wong, a Chinese-American activist and advocate. She is seen in a power wheelchair and with a breathing tube, and wears colorful, pink and orange clothing and pink lipstick. Text across the image reads, "Remembering Alice Wong, founder of the Disability Visibility Project and disability justice advocate."
November 19, 2025 at 12:24 AM
dlunited.bsky.social
Take action today and power the fight for disability rights! ✊

Disability Law United (DLU) fights alongside marginalized people with disabilities to transform our communities.

1/4
Under a purple and gold gradient filter, the image shows a photo of a person's feet standing on a tactile paving at a curb. The DLU logo is included in the top left corner of the image. Large white text is centered and reads, "the work we do needs you."
November 18, 2025 at 1:38 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
You may remember this graphic, which we originally shared back in December, celebrating a new rule that required airlines to adhere to new protections for people with disabilities in commercial air travel, ensuring they can fly safely and with dignity.
On a light grey background, a graphic of a commercial airplane is centered below a headline that reads, "Sweeping Protections for Airline Passengers with Disabilities." The word 'sweeping' is crossed out in bright red, and the word 'fewer' is written above instead. A subheading reads, "USDOT Will not enforce Biden-era rules requiring new consumer protections for disabled passengers using wheelchairs." Small text and an arrow invite the audience to swipe to read more. The DLU logo is centered at the bottom. On a light grey background, text reads, "The U.S. Department of Transportation announced today that it will not enforce specific parts of a Biden-era rule that had ensured new protections for people with disabilities in commercial air travel to ensure that they could fly safely and with dignity." Smaller text then outlines key requirements of the rule which would have required airlines to provide specific accommodations for passengers traveling with mobility aids. The final paragraph notes that after a lawsuit filed by several major airlines, the Trump administration will not enforce requirements for airlines to notify passengers about their rights in writing when they are checking wheelchairs or scooters, nor will these air carriers be liable for mishandled wheelchairs, or for reimbursing passengers who use a wheelchair for the cost difference between flights if their wheelchair does not fit in the cabin of an aircraft. The DLU logo is centered at the bottom of the graphic. On a light grey background, text reads, "We know that flying commercially in the U.S. can be fraught with fear and anxiety for people with disabilities. One public survey found that 1 in 10 people with a disability do not fly due to fear of bodily harm, damage to their wheelchair, or aircraft inaccessibility. Roughly 5.5 million Americans rely on assistive devices like wheelchairs for their mobility on a daily basis, making them crucial for individual autonomy and independence, and preserving dignity. Yet many people have historically found air travel to be a barrier, with DOT data showing that at least 1 in every 100 wheelchairs or scooters transported on domestic flights will be lost, delayed in its return, or otherwise damaged." Below, larger, all-caps text reads, "This rule would have protected consumers with disabilities and forced airlines to provide a safe and dignified standard. Now, those protections have been weakened or removed." Red ink underlines the last few words for emphasis. The DLU logo is centered at the bottom of the graphic.
September 30, 2025 at 12:23 AM
dlunited.bsky.social
Save the Date! 📆 DLU's 2025 Fall CLE will take place on September 30th, both in-person in Denver, Colorado and online via Zoom.

1/5
The pillars of the U.S. Supreme Court building can be seen in the background under a purple-blue filter. In the foreground, large white text announces Disability Law United's 2025 Fall CLE, "Disability & the Supreme Court in the Age of Trump: Assessing Risks & Opportunities." Smaller text in white and gold indicates the event will take place on September 30th, 2025 from 1-4pm Eastern both in-person in Denver and online via Zoom, concurrently. The viewer is invited to Save the Date. Registration opens July 31st at 9am Eastern time. The DLU logo is included in the top right corner of the image.
July 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
✊ LEGAL VICTORY: A Deaf, non-verbal asylum seeker from Mongolia has been released from ICE custody following a federal court order requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide accommodations to our client.

1 of 6

#Disability #Immigration #disabilityrights #OtayMesa
On a teal background, a white text box with black, bold text reads "In win for disability and immigrant rights, Dear Mongolian asylum seeker released from ICE custody following federal court order requiring disability accommodations." The date July 24th, 2025 is included on a line below. At the bottom of the image, the logos for Disability Rights Legal Center and Disability Law United are centered on a white field. A black swipe arrow invites the viewer to Read More by swiping over or moving to the next image. On a teal background, a white text box with black, bold text reads "A Deaf, non-verbal man from Mongolia, Avirmed fled to the U.S. to seek asylum after he was the target of brutal attacks because of his disability. These beatings left him with a traumatic brain injury, seizures and memory loss. He had been detained at the Otay Mesa Detention Center since February. But despite repeated attempts by his legal team to secure disability accommodations in detention, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) failed to provide a qualified Mongolian Sign Language (MSL) interpreter." White pen lines depicting barbed wire are drawn across the top of the image. A black swipe arrow invites the viewer to move to the next image. On a teal background, a white text box with black text reads "Avirmed spent months unable to effectively communicate with immigration officials about his asylum claim or his medical and mental condition. Instead of providing a qualified Mongolian Sign Language (MSL) interpreter, immigration officials relied on tools like Google Translate. ICE’s disregard for Avirmed’s rights under federal law resulted in dangerous and at times absurd miscommunications, including misidentifying his sister, a U.S. citizen residing in the U.S., as his daughter." White pen lines depicting barbed wire are drawn across the top of the image. A black swipe arrow invites the viewer to move to the next image. On a teal background, a white text box with black text reads "On July 16, 2025, Judge Dana Sabraw of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California issued a preliminary injunction ordering the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide a qualified MSL interpreter for all future proceedings, redo mental health and credible fear evaluations that were previously conducted without interpretation, reschedule his competency hearing following proper assessments, remove the flawed earlier evaluations from the record, allow additional time for daily video calls with legal counsel and an MSL interpreter and ensure Avirmed’s sister is present for all future proceedings." White pen lines depicting barbed wire are drawn across the top of the image. A black swipe arrow invites the viewer to move to the next image.
July 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
Calling all disability justice advocates! We want YOU 👈 for the DLU Board.

We’re pleased to announce the planned expansion of our board & the launch of our open call for new board members, to join the Disability Law United Board of Directors in the fall.
Large gold text on a dark purple background invites the viewer to JOIN THE BOARD. Smaller white text explains that the DLU Board of Directors is expanding this fall, and asks interested individuals to email board@dlunited.org to express their interest. An image of a darker-skinned hand holds a smartphone with the DLU logo emblazoned on its case.
July 17, 2025 at 3:45 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
In a win against ICE and their continued discrimination against people with disabilities in detention, Disability Law United and co-counsel Disability Rights Legal Center (DRLC) have prevented a Deaf immigrant from Mongolia from being immediately deported

1 of 4
Against a background photo depicting blue skies over a brick building and barbed wire fencing, large white text on a dark grey background reads, "DLU & DRLC Prevent Immediate Deportation of Disabled, Deaf Asylum Seeker, Force ICE to Provide Accommodations." The headline is dated Tuesday, July 15th. The Disability Law United logo is included in the upper left corner.
July 15, 2025 at 6:15 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
An Organizational Statement from Disability Law United:

Today's 6-3 Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. CASA limits the ability of the lower courts to check presidential power, effectively creating a national patchwork of unequal rights.

1 of 3
Headlines from NPR, the New York Times and AP appear on torn scraps of paper, all addressing the June 27th Supreme Court ruling on nationwide injunctions. In the background, a black-and-white photograph of the U.S. Supreme Court Building is superimposed over an American flag. A pull quote from Disability Law United fills the bottom two-thirds of the graphic, reading, "“This ruling creates a national patchwork of unequal rights... only [for] those who have the time, resources, and ability to seek redress through the courts. DLU believes constitutional protections - and statutory rights - apply to and must be enforced for all. We will battle on, and we will win.” The DLU logo is included at center-bottom.
June 27, 2025 at 8:17 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
People with disabilities are often especially vulnerable during climate disasters. As temperatures warm globally, the risk to our communities also rises. We're glad to see cities like Portland taking steps to build #climateresilience.

Read the article from @opb.org at buff.ly/Y8jKc84

#Disability
A screengrab of a news article reads "Portland is offering another 10,000 free air conditioners to boost climate resilience." Below the header is a pull quote from the article, which reads, "Last year, the Oregon Department of Energy study found many of the state’s most vulnerable residents lack the necessary equipment to stay cool in their homes during hot summers. The study also found that residents in Multnomah County are more likely to be exposed to extreme heat and have limited capacity to adapt to it." The article is from OPB, whose logo is included in the top left corner. The image also contains collaged photos of Portland, Oregon's waterfront and skyline as well as the famous Portland, Oregon sign.
June 25, 2025 at 6:07 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
Disability Law United recognizes the inhumane approach of the U.S. immigration system, which reduces the value of human lives to their perceived utility -- an ableist framework that discriminates against so many.

1/4
Silhouetted refugees of all ages and genders, including one person in a wheelchair, hold hands on a gold background. A map of the world is superimposed behind them. Large white text reads "WORLD REFUGEE DAY" and smaller text notes the date of June 20th, 2025. The DLU logo is located in the top left corner.
June 20, 2025 at 12:10 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
This #Juneteenth, we're memorializing and celebrating 160 years since enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Texas, following the Civil War.

1/4
A raised fist against a tricolor background in green, red and black. "Celebrating Juneteenth: Freedom Day" is written in large gold and white text across the image. The DLU logo is included in the bottom left corner.
June 19, 2025 at 11:01 AM
dlunited.bsky.social
That's a wrap on our first event of 2025! 🎬 We had a fantastic turnout on Tues. May 13th to hear from our incredible panel of speakers on disability and immigration.

1/4
On a deep purple background, gold and white text reads "Spring CLE Wrapped." Photos of the 4 speakers, all women, are set in the upper left corner. Reviews from three event attendees are featured on the page in bold text: 'All of the presenters did a wonderful job... The historical background was especially interesting and helpful to inform my work.' 'Great and informative. Excellent presenters. Thank you!' 'Thank you for one of the best CLEs ever! Packed with such practical and useful information.' The DLU logo is centered at the top of the image in gold.
May 14, 2025 at 4:15 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
‼️ Have you registered yet for DLU's Spring CLE event? If not, you'll be missing out on some fantastic speakers - and an opportunity to learn more about the crucial intersection between American immigration policy and disability, from its history to the shifting landscape of 2025.

1/3
On a bright mint-green background, navy blue text forms a countdown, indicating an event will begin in 5 days, 1 hour and 10 minutes from the time of posting. The event is DLU's spring CLE, "Advocacy at the Intersection of Disability & Immigration." The viewer is invited to reserve their seat. In the background, a faded graphic of the Statue of Liberty fills the image.
May 8, 2025 at 2:50 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
🎉 Celebrating our impact in 2024!

We're proud to share the 2024 Disability Law United Annual Report, highlighting the vital work of our legal team and honoring the generosity of our supporters and community.

1/2
On a purple background, there are several bright yellow-gold continuous line illustrations collaged together. The illustrations are of a globe, two hands creating an ASL sign, a person with short hair whose back is turned to the viewer and whose left fist is raised, a man and woman bent over a laptop apparently discussing work, and two people high-fiving, one of whom is using a wheelchair. The bottom of the page includes a white field or box, featuring the words "2024 Annual Report" with the 2024 in bright gold, and the Annual Report in dark purple. The DLU logo is below the words.
April 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
📆 Save the Date!

Join DLU for a groundbreaking presentation on #Disability & immigration, from the history of American immigration law to the ways in which ableism manifests in modern immigration policy, & practical tips & arguments for advocating on behalf of immigrants with disabilities.

1/2
A sketched image of the Statue of Liberty is in black on a deep blue background. Large, all-caps bright green text announces a spring CLE, "Advocacy at the Intersection of Disability & Immigration." Smaller white text asks viewers to Save the Date for May 13th, 2025 from 12-3pm Eastern time, and notes that registration is $40 with the Early Bird rate, $50 regularly, and discounts are available for students. The DLU logo is included in a dark faded blue.
April 7, 2025 at 10:00 AM
dlunited.bsky.social
📣 #TrialUpdate! We're celebrating DLU Legal Director Cynthia Rice & staff attorney Aviance Brown, who with co-counsel just spent the week in trial in Sacramento, California, seeking to force changes to address the Sacramento Police Department’s discriminatory & violent policies and practices.

1/3
A white woman with short grey hair wearing a grey and black suit, and a Black woman with long hair wearing a navy suit and gold blouse, standing on a stone floor in the Sacramento federal courthouse. They are both smiling and resting their hands on a short pillar engraved with the words, "Cancel the afternoons, evenings, mornings, the days to come, until the fires fall to ash, the fog clears and we can see where we really stand." A white woman with short grey hair wearing a grey and black suit, and a Black woman with long hair wearing a navy suit and gold blouse, standing on a stone floor in the Sacramento federal courthouse. They are both laughing and facing each other as if in joyful conversation.
April 4, 2025 at 6:09 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
In the strongest terms possible, Disability Law United, its Board & its staff condemn the recent Executive Orders directed at law firms, attorneys & the practice of law in the United States. Read the full organizational statement via the link in our bio or visit buff.ly/8xImSP8

#disability #law
A statue of a blindfolded woman holding a set of scales on a deep purple background. White text at the top announces an organizational statement on recent Executive Orders. Additional white text reads, "An impartial legal system is the bedrock of our democracy. The President doesn't seem to have gotten the memo about this. These orders represent a clear vendetta not just against specific attorneys and firms, but against the rule of law and this nation's judicial system... It's impossible to overstate the chilling effect these targeted attacks will have on every American's right to legal counsel." The quote is attributed to DLU Executive Director Lauren Deutsch. Viewers are invited to read the full statement at www.disabilitylawunited.org. The DLU logo is included in the bottom left corner.
April 1, 2025 at 5:13 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
"We know that conditions are often terrible in detention facilities, exacerbating and even causing disabilities. Despite repeatedly violating people's rights, ICE is always trying to evade accountability. This lawsuit is one small step on a long road to hold them accountable[.]"

1/4
Large purple text on a white background announces that Disability Law United is suing to hold ICE accountable and compel a records release. Smaller text reads, "Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), ICE must provide records. They have failed to respond. DLU asks the court to compel ICE to release medical & detention records, & more for transparency." A photo of stacked medical records with a stethoscope laid on top is included in the bottom left corner of the image, with the DLU logo on the bottom right.
March 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM
dlunited.bsky.social
✊ LEGAL VICTORY: A landmark settlement has been reached with the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) that will provide for videophones, sign language interpreters, & other necessary accommodations for #Deaf & hard-of-hearing people incarcerated in TDOC facilities throughout #Tennessee. 1/2
On a teal background, large purple text reads LEGAL VICTORY in all caps. Below it, smaller black text informs the viewer that a landmark settlement has been reached with the Tennessee Department of Correction, winning necessary accommodations for deaf prisoners. The text floats above a graphic of prison fencing at the bottom of the image. Across the top, a white banner features the logos for Disability Law United, Disability Rights Advocates, Disability Rights Tennessee, and law firm Fox & Robertson.
March 5, 2025 at 3:42 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
📆 March 1st is #ZeroDiscriminationDay, celebrated internationally since 2014! Every individual has the right to live with dignity, free from discrimination.

#disability #disabilityjustice
On a deep blue background, bold white text reads ZERO DISCRIMINATION DAY in all caps. Below it, smaller text reads "March 1, 2025". An illustration of two clasped hands surrounded by white stars is centered on the image. Below the graphic is a paragraph of white text reading, "Every individual has the right to live with dignity, free from discrimination. Every March 1st since 2014, the United Nations has observed Zero Discrimination Day as a call to action. Join Disability Law United in celebrating today, as we work to eliminate discrimination at every intersection. "
March 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM
dlunited.bsky.social
"This ruling leaves Americans whose civil rights have been violated without recourse, or ability to hold wrongdoers accountable."

3 of 3

#disability #civilrights #legalnews
Large, bold pink text reads "Don't be fooled" above an illustration of a judge's gavel in purple and gold. Below the graphic, smaller, dark purple text reads, "Justice Jackson said it best in her dissent, arguing that the ruling “lacks any basis” in the text of the law. Tuesday’s ruling will diminish the ability of vulnerable people to hold wrongdoers accountable for civil rights violations nationwide." The DLU logo is centered at the very bottom of the image.
February 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
DLU Executive Director Lauren Deutsch said of the decision, "This is incredibly disturbing. If we make it riskier and more expensive to take civil rights cases, fewer lawyers will take those cases. This is about the future of civil rights in our country."

2 of 3

#disability #civilrights
Dark purple text reads, "In 1976, Congress enacted the Civil Rights Attorney’s Fees Awards Act, which gives courts in some civil rights cases the discretion to award a 'reasonable attorney’s fee' to 'the prevailing party.' On Tuesday, the Supreme Court reversed the 4th Circuit’s earlier decision in Lackey v. Stinnie." In much larger, bold pink text is a quote attributed to Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. The quote begins with ellipses and reads, "...plainly inconsistent with that statutory provision’s clear objective, which is to encourage attorneys to file civil rights actions on behalf of the most vulnerable people in our society.” Below this, a caption indicates that Justice Jackson wrote the dissent, accompanied by Justice Sonia Sotomayor. A gold arrow invites the viewer to swipe or move to the next image for more information.
February 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
🚫 Don't be fooled.

This week's Supreme Court ruling has our alarm bells ringing.

🧵 1 of 3

#disability #civilrights #legalnews
On a light gray background, a purple illustration of a megaphone is centered below a header that reads, SUPREME COURT UPDATE: COURT LIMITS RIGHT TO ATTORNEYS FEES FOR SOME CIVIL RIGHTS SUITS. Below the illustration is a subheading reading, "This is about shutting down civil rights work, by making sure lawyers who take these cases can't make a living." A gold arrow invites the viewer to swipe or move to the next image for more information.
February 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM
dlunited.bsky.social
📣 ICYMI: We filed suit against the City and County of Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, and held a press conference on the steps of the Denver City & County Building to call for justice on behalf of houseless people with disabilities.

#Disability #accessibility #disabilityrights
The image is of a wheelchair accessibility sign, overlaid with a deep grey filter. White text reads, "Denver was the birthplace of American disability law back in 1978. To see the City and County of Denver violating disability law now is so disappointing... The promise of this country is that no matter who you are, you’re able to access government services in the same way. That’s not happening in Denver right now.” The quote is attributed in gold text to Andy McNulty, attorney with Newman McNulty LLC. A line of smaller text below explains that DLU, Newman McNulty LLC and the Brooklyn Law School filed suit against the City and County of Denver, Colorado on February 26th, 2025.
February 26, 2025 at 9:01 PM