@dlbllc
Disability Policy Director | Global Accessibility & Disability Inclusion Strategist | Bulldog Lover | Disabled | LGBTQ+ | “If your fight for democracy doesn’t include disabled people, you’re doing it wrong.” https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenbatesll
Disability Belongs™ is proud to endorse the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Restoration Act, newly introduced in Congress. Nearly 8 million seniors and people with #disabilities rely on #SSI, yet many program rules haven’t been updated in decades.
The SSI Restoration Act of 2024 aims to modernize the program by raising benefits to the poverty line, eliminating burdensome rules like the in-kind support and maintenance provision, ending the asset limit marriage penalty, updating disregards, and indexing all numbers to inflation.
Currently, SSI's core financial rules are functionally frozen; income disregards have not been updated since 1972, and asset limits—currently capped at $2,000 for individuals—have remained unchanged since 1989.
We Need to Make a Change.
#SSI #disability
rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
HUD has proposed expanded work requirements in federal housing programs.
Housing stability supports disability independence.
These changes could destabilize disabled renters.
Worth watching.
.https://www.npr.org/2026/02/27/nx-s1-5728988/hud-proposes-time-limits-work-requirements-for-rental-aid
Idaho’s proposed Medicaid budget cuts could severely reduce disability services that make community living possible.
Medicaid isn’t just health coverage — it funds the supports people rely on to live, work & participate fully.
This is what’s at stake.
Via @slooterman.bsky.social @19thnews.org
The VA is rescinding its disability ratings rule that could have reduced compensation based on how well medication controls symptoms.
Disability benefits should reflect functional impact — not penalize access to care.
An important step for disabled veterans.
#DisabilityPolicy #Veterans
Section 504 helps ensure disability rights can be enforced before harm occurs—before someone is forced into an institution...
Disability rights are only meaningful if they can be enforced in real life, not just after harm has already happened.
Take Action
www.disabilitybelongs.org/2026/02/texa...
We’ve joined 130+ civil rights groups opposing the SAVE Act and other anti-voter bills that create barriers for millions, including people with disabilities.
A Senate vote could happen this week.
Tell Congress: Stop anti-voter bills now:
Textured orange background with a banner that says, Action Alert! Text reads: Take Action to Protect Our Right to Vote! The Senate is voting this week on the SAVE Act. If the SAVE Act becomes law, it will make it much harder for some disabled people to vote. We need people to call and email their Senators to tell them to vote NO on the SAVE Act! The ASAN logo is at the bottom.
🗳️ Take action today to protect our right to vote! The SAVE Act would make it much harder for some disabled people to vote. Learn more and take action with our plain language action alert! autisticadvocacy.org/2026/02/save...
Sharing this blog introducing their Policy Agenda:
"Disability Policy as an Expression of Faith-Based Values"
from @disabilitybelongs.bsky.social
www.disabilitybelongs.org/2026/02/disa...
Advocacy doesn't always create new rights.
Sometimes it protects the ones we already have.
Read more from me about the U.S. Dept. of Education no longer enforcing its directive conditioning federal education funding on eliminating diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) programs. tinyurl.com/4kudxxtu
Voting changes should make it easier–not harder–to vote.
Disability and civil rights organizations are calling on Congress to stand against the SAVE America Act, and MEGA Act. These bills will make it harder for disabled people to vote.
Learn More and Take Action. 👇
ncavote.org/resource/nos...
A really great article from PRISM Reports highlights a critical issue: healthcare #accessibility for people with disabilities cannot improve without better #disability #data! prismreports.org/2026/02/16/d...
Disability Belongs™ makes it easier to take action on the policies and issues affecting disabled people — with clear information, resources, and ways to engage. If you’re looking for a place to start, this is it.
www.disabilitybelongs.org/act/
#DisabilityRights #DisabilityAdvocacy
Love shouldn't come with penalties, but outdated federal policies make marriage risky for many #disabled people. This #Valentine'sDay, we're sharing an op-ed from our President & CEO, Ariel Simms, explaining why updating these policies is key to full marriage equality. Read it at the link below!
Voting changes should make participation easier, not harder. But the SAVE Act, passed yesterday by the House of Representatives, could create new barriers for eligible voters with disabilities. Along with our partners in @ncavoting.bsky.social, we call on the Senate to reject this legislation.
Voting changes should make it easier–not harder–to vote.
Disability and civil rights organizations are calling on Congress to stand against the SAVE America Act, and MEGA Act. These bills will make it harder for disabled people to vote.
Learn More and Take Action. 👇
ncavote.org/resource/nos...
The Republican-controlled US House is set to pass a sweeping voter restriction bill that could potentially disenfranchise tens of millions of Americans.
Economic Security and Health Care in Early 2026: What Disabled People Need to Know:
www.disabilitybelongs.org/2026/02/econ...
On February 3rd, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, and the President signed it into law the same day. This law funds federal agencies for Fiscal Year 2026, including the Department of Education and related programs.
Image Description: U.S. Department of Education seal
The fact that the agency shuttered seven of its 12 regional civil rights offices and placed half of OCR personnel — 299 out of 575 staffers — on administrative leave last year contributed to the dismissals of most complaints.
Disability rights are only meaningful if they can be enforced in real life, not just after harm has already happened.
Learn how you can contact your State Attorney General and urge them to stop efforts that weaken enforcement of Section 504 at the link below.
While the states are no longer arguing that Section 504 itself is unconstitutional, they are now asking the court to block key federal regulations that explain how it must be enforced – especially protections tied to community living.
graphic with a blue and green gradient background, the state flags of California and Oregon, and text that reads State Policy Updates. California Reinstates Medi-Cal asset limits. Oregon Settlement Expands Accessible Camping Options for Unhoused Disabled People.
We recently shared state policy updates for California and Oregon. Read them on our website: www.disabilitybelongs.org/tag/state-po...
If you want to receive updates like these in your inbox, subscribe to our Advocate's Agenda newsletter: www.disabilitybelongs.org/newsletters/
Republicans' Big Ugly Bill gave Trump $190 billion for DHS, including $75 billion for ICE and $65 billion for CBP.
That's money Republicans stripped from rural hospitals and helping people afford health care.
Congress should claw it back and put serious restraints on DHS.
Critical special education programs and disability civil rights enforcement functions may be moved out of the U.S. Department of Education, which could weaken federal oversight and enforcement, creating new risks for students with #disabilities and their families. Learn how you can take action ⬇︎
Take Action to Protect Special Education and Disability Rights
Your voice matters.
- Oppose any cuts to the Department of Education
- Reject any plan to move special education programs or disability civil rights enforcement out of the Department
www.disabilitybelongs.org/2026/01/doe-...
ID: (Español abajo) A background graphic shows a snowy day and a bundled-up man seated in a wheelchair. A man is standing next to him putting a large blanket around him. The text over a phone graphic says: “Disabled, impacted by severe winter weather, and need help? Call/text the Disability and Disaster Hotline. 800-626-4959 or hotline@disasterstrategies.org. #DisabLedResponse” At the bottom right corner is the logo for The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, with a sun and 4 graphics inside the sun: a hurricane, a lightning storm cloud, a house with a split down the center, and a tornado depicted on a smartphone screen. Descripción de imagen: Un gráfico de fondo muestra un día de nieve y un hombre abrigado sentado en una silla de ruedas. Un hombre está de pie junto a él y lo envuelve con una manta grande. El texto sobre un gráfico de teléfono dice: “¿Discapacitade, afectade por el clima invernal extremo y necesita ayuda? Llame/text a la línea directa de discapacidad y desastres. 800-626-4959 o hotline@disasterstrategies.org. #DisabLedResponse” En la esquina inferior derecha está el logotipo de The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, con un sol y 4 gráficos dentro del sol: un huracán, una nube de tormenta eléctrica, una casa con una división en el centro y un tornado representado en la pantalla de un teléfono inteligente.
Disabled, impacted by the winter storm & need help? Discapacitade, impactade por la tormenta invernal y necesita ayuda?
Local aid (ayuda local) try 211, 311, 800.733.2767
Call/text (llame) Disability & Disaster Hotline 800-626-4959 or hotline@disasterstrategies.org
#WinterStorm
The ABLE Age Adjustment Act took effect on January 1st, raising the #disability onset age for #ABLE eligibility from before age 26 to before age 46, opening access to tax-advantaged savings for millions more disabled adults. Learn more about this change and why it matters at the link below!
