Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Darren Bates

Rep. Jamie Raskin @raskin.house.gov · 1d

Two federal courts agree that emergency SNAP fund benefits must be paid NOW. The Trump administration must act with the same speed and seriousness to get food benefits to our people that it has acted with to deport immigrants, destroy public health and bulldoze the White House. NOW.

Trump Administration Live Updates: Government Ordered to Pay Food Stamp Benefits During Shutdown

www.nytimes.com

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Peter Morley ♿️ @petermorley.bsky.social · 6d

NEVER FORGET: 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP are going to starve because Donald Trump and the GOP refuse to negotiate for healthcare that cost less than the amount of money Trump gave to Argentina. Sickening.

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Peter Morley ♿️ @petermorley.bsky.social · 6d

NOT extending ACA subsidies will ALSO cause state economies to PLUMMET $41B.

339,100 jobs will be LOST due to health care providers being FORCED to reduce their workforces. 50% of job LOSSES will be health care–related & HIGHER in states where MORE residents are enrolled in an ACA marketplace plan.

State-Level Impact of NOT renewing ACA Subsidies:

We also produced economic estimates for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, shown in Exhibit 1. Following are some highlights:

Losses will be higher in states where more residents are enrolled in an ACA marketplace plan. The 10 states with the most projected jobs lost are:
Texas: 83,400
Florida: 57,500
Georgia: 33,600
California: 20,300
South Carolina: 13,100
Tennessee: 12,300
Alabama: 9,100
Louisiana: 7,000
North Carolina: 6,900
Mississippi: 6,700.

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Darren Bates @dlbllc.bsky.social · 6d

Don’t forget to breathe.

A monarch butterfly sits on a bright orange Mexican sunflower.

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 6d

Thinking about how poor disabled and aging people may be impacted this is a multitude of ways–they may not be able to get food, and their care workers may not either (for those who have them), leading to less good support for disabled folks as starving people don't make the best workers.

Reuters @reuters.com · 7d

US Department of Agriculture says no food aid benefits will be issued next month reut.rs/3WohHMk

US Department of Agriculture says no food aid benefits will be issued next month

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Saturday that food benefits under one of the country's biggest social assistance programs will not be issued next month amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

reut.rs

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Darren Bates @dlbllc.bsky.social · 9d

The Social Security Administration is reportedly considering changes that would eliminate or weaken age as a vocational factor in #disability determinations for #SSDI and #SSI. I want to share why this matters to so many older workers with disabilities. #aging

www.linkedin.com/posts/darren...

#disabilitypolicy #socialsecurity #economicsecurity #agingworkforce #equity #inclusion #aging #ssdi #ssi #ssa #disability #disabilities | Darren Bates

The Social Security Administration is reportedly considering changes that would eliminate or weaken age as a vocational factor in disability determinations for SSDI and SSI. I want to share why this m...

www.linkedin.com

Reposted by Darren Bates

Disability Belongs™ @disabilitybelongs.bsky.social · 10d

On September 30, 2025, the federal government stopped issuing paper checks for Social Security, SSI, SSDI, Veterans’ benefits, and tax refunds and transitioned fully to electronic payments. Learn more in our Federal Policy Update at the link.

#Disability #Disabilities

Federal Policy Update: Big Change — Paper Checks Have Gone Away - Disability Belongs™

Without access to digital payment methods or reliable internet, beneficiaries risk missed or delayed payments.

www.disabilitybelongs.org

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Darren Bates @dlbllc.bsky.social · 10d

www.disabilitybelongs.org/2025/10/aca-...

Take Action to Protect Affordable Health Coverage - Disability Belongs™

Congress is considering letting enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits expire at the end of this year—on December 31, 2025.

www.disabilitybelongs.org

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Accessibility in the News @a11ynews.bsky.social · 10d

The Radical Life of the Father of the Independent Living Movement - Mother Jones www.motherjones.com/politics/202... #a11y

The radical life of the father of independent living

A new book explores disabled activist Ed Roberts' revolutionary career.

www.motherjones.com

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Mequa @mequa.bsky.social · 13d

No Kings march in Austin, Texas.
I'm in there somewhere!

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Disability Belongs™ @disabilitybelongs.bsky.social · 19d

For households with disabled members, changes to SNAP in H.R. 1 mean a higher risk of hunger, more paperwork, and fewer supports. Advocates and policymakers will need to work together to ensure SNAP remains a reliable safeguard against poverty and hunger. Learn what's changing and why it matters ⬇︎

SNAP Under H.R. 1: What’s Changing and Why It Matters - Disability Belongs™

H.R. 1 makes three major changes to SNAP: tightening work requirements, shifting costs to states and counties, and eliminating SNAP-Ed, the nutrition education program.

www.disabilitybelongs.org

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Eric Michael Garcia @ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 19d

Special education isn't a "nice thing to have." It isn't "charity" or doing something to make us feel better. It is a right. The right to a Free Appropriate Public Education is codified in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, signed by a Republican president.

Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 20d

U.S. Department of Education fired nearly everyone in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in a wave of new layoffs that began Friday, according to the union representing the agency's employees. www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...

Education Department wipes out special ed office in shutdown layoffs, union says

The Education Department laid off nearly everyone at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

www.usatoday.com

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Alt Department of Education @altdepted.bsky.social · 22d

We’ve now heard that most of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) at ED is being let go as well. The harm caused to students if these layoffs are allowed to proceed cannot be overstated. ED cannot carry out its statutorily required duties without these offices.

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Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 23d

Ugly laws: The blueprint for Trump’s anti-homeless crusade

DC’s crackdown is just the latest in a long war on being poor and disabled in public.

www.motherjones.com

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Darren Bates @dlbllc.bsky.social · Oct 1

Congress is considering letting enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits expire at the end of this year. These credits have lowered #healthcare premiums for millions of Americans, driving uninsured rates to historic lows.

Take Action Today! ⬇️
www.disabilitybelongs.org/2025/10/aca-...

Take Action to Protect Affordable Health Coverage - Disability Belongs™

Congress is considering letting enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits expire at the end of this year—on December 31, 2025.

www.disabilitybelongs.org

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Darren Bates @dlbllc.bsky.social · Oct 2

Affordable healthcare makes independent living possible. Enhanced ACA premium tax credits expire on Dec. 31, 2025. Disabled people and their families could face higher premiums or lose coverage.

Take action before open enrollment begins November 1.

#HealthCoverageForAll
#ACAPremiumCredits

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Darren Bates @dlbllc.bsky.social · Oct 1

Congress is considering letting enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits expire at the end of this year. These credits have lowered #healthcare premiums for millions of Americans, driving uninsured rates to historic lows.

Take Action Today! ⬇️
www.disabilitybelongs.org/2025/10/aca-...

Take Action to Protect Affordable Health Coverage - Disability Belongs™

Congress is considering letting enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits expire at the end of this year—on December 31, 2025.

www.disabilitybelongs.org

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Darren Bates @dlbllc.bsky.social · Sep 30

We @disabilitybelongs.bsky.social can make that happen.

Darren Bates @dlbllc.bsky.social · Sep 26

Cuts to the Dept. of Education aren’t just numbers—they directly affect students with #disabilities and their access to essential supports. Reducing funding and staff threatens IDEA protections, special education services, and the equity that ensures all students can thrive.
#SpecialEducation #IDEA

Disability Belongs™ @disabilitybelongs.bsky.social · Sep 25

Take a few minutes to contact your two Senators and your Member of the House of Representatives. Urge them to fully fund IDEA and oppose any legislation aimed at downsizing or reducing resources for the Department of Education. For templates and contact information, visit the link below!

Take Action to Protect the U.S. Department of Education from Budget Cuts and Downsizing - Disability Belongs™

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is at risk of not having the proper funding and staffing resources needed to support state and local school districts.

www.disabilitybelongs.org

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Reposted by Darren Bates

Disability Belongs™ @disabilitybelongs.bsky.social · Sep 25

Take a few minutes to contact your two Senators and your Member of the House of Representatives. Urge them to fully fund IDEA and oppose any legislation aimed at downsizing or reducing resources for the Department of Education. For templates and contact information, visit the link below!

Take Action to Protect the U.S. Department of Education from Budget Cuts and Downsizing - Disability Belongs™

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is at risk of not having the proper funding and staffing resources needed to support state and local school districts.

www.disabilitybelongs.org

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Reposted by Darren Bates

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities @aapd.com · Sep 24

AAPD is proud to join this statement with leading autism orgs, calling for the government to make decisions based on quality science and compassion for the autism community. Autistic people deserve respect and support, not pseudoscience and stigma.

www.aapd.com/autism-group...

Leading Autism and Disability Organizations Call for Decision-Making Based on Quality Science and Compassion for the Autism Community - AAPD

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 Organizational Contacts: AAPD: Jess Davidson, [email protected]; 202-465-5528 AUCD: Lillie Heigl, [email protected] The Arc: [email protected] AS...

www.aapd.com

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Darren Bates @dlbllc.bsky.social · Sep 16

An assault on #Disability Rights: "Federal offices and programs that insure equal treatment are being shuttered and scaled back...."
www.newyorker.com/news/deep-st...

Donald Trump’s Assault on Disability Rights

Federal offices and programs that insure equal treatment are being shuttered and scaled back.

www.newyorker.com

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Reposted by Darren Bates

ProPublica @propublica.org · Sep 12

Citing concerns about DEI, the Department of Education has halted funding for programs that support students with combined hearing and vision loss in eight states.

“How low can you go?” one advocate asked. “How can you do this to children?”

By @jodiscohen.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social

Programs for Students With Hearing and Vision Loss Harmed by Trump’s Anti-Diversity Push

Citing concerns about DEI, the U.S. Department of Education has halted funding for programs that support students with combined hearing and vision loss in eight states. “How low can you go?” one advoc...

www.propublica.org

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Disability Belongs™ @disabilitybelongs.bsky.social · Sep 10

When it comes to our rights as people with disabilities, our impact is stronger when we vote in all elections that we are eligible to vote in, including local and state elections. Every year is an election year, so learn more about how to get involved at www.DisabilityBelongs.org/vote #Disability

graphic with three calendar icons that say 2024 2025 and 2026 on them along with text that reads Every year is an election year! Learn how you can get involved at disability belongs dot org slash vote

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Disability Belongs™ @disabilitybelongs.bsky.social · Sep 8

It's Disability Voting Rights Week! 1 in 4 American voters are people with disabilities. Accessible methods, such as mail-in ballots and accessible voting machines, are how some disabled voters cast their ballot. Access to these methods must be protected and expanded, not restricted. #Disability

logos for National Coalition on Accessible Voting and Disability Belongs along with a graphic of a ballot box and text that reads Disability Voting Rights Week 2025

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