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dredf.bsky.social
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
@dredf.bsky.social
2.1K followers 160 following 140 posts
DREDF is a leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities. Website: dredf.org
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dredf.bsky.social
Inclusion shapes expectations and what children imagine for themselves. Disability is often excluded from representation in toys. Barbie’s diversity shows progress, but real inclusion goes further. More from @autisticadvocacy.org https://autisticadvocacy.org/2026/01/asan-announces-autistic-barbie/
A close-up of a small mirrored disco ball held aloft by Barbie's plastic hands. The disco ball reflects light in sharp, geometric facets. The background is an abstract blur of vibrant warm colors of yellows, oranges, reds, and pink to create a sense of motion and energy.
January 15, 2026 at 11:30 PM
dredf.bsky.social
As Audre Lorde once said, "We do not live single issue lives," every issue is a disability rights issue.
The Danger ICE Poses to the Disabled Community | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.
Disabled people face increased rates of violence, abandonment, and medical neglect in ICE custody.
nonprofitquarterly.org
January 15, 2026 at 12:12 AM
dredf.bsky.social
Join DREDF for Part 5 of our Training Series: The Importance of IEP Goals.
Learn about what IDEA requires, where goals come from, and how they support meaningful access to education. Register: https://dredf.org/event/part-5-of-10-the-importance-of-iep-goals/
Graphic for a DREDF training series. On the left, a notebook labeled “Individualized Education Program” sits on a desk with pens, clips, and sticky notes. On the right, text reads: “The Importance of IEP Goals,” Virtual Training, Monday, January 12, 2026, 7:00–8:45 pm PT, with a red “Register” button.
January 13, 2026 at 1:01 AM
dredf.bsky.social
We're proud to share the @berkeleylaw.bsky.social 7th Annual CLE Conference on Jan 29 - 30, 2026. DREDF’s Ayesha Elaine Lewis will present on Jan 30.
 - Up to 13 CA CLE credits
 - DREDF supporters get $100 off registration
Register: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=862704&
Promotional graphic for the Berkeley Center on Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination Law’s Conference on Gender Discrimination. Text highlights January 29–30, 2026, with in-person and Zoom options. Highlights include up to 13 California CLE credits, a $100 registration discount for DREDF supporters, and a January 30 panel featuring DREDF Senior Staff Attorney Ayesha Elaine Lewis. A portrait of a woman appears on the right, and a “Register Now” button is shown at the bottom.
January 12, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Reposted by Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
a11yawareness.bsky.social
Don't forget transcripts for video and audio. These will help blind users and low-vision users, deaf and hard-of-hearing users, people with ADHD, people with audio-processing disorders, and beyond. Transcripts also benefit search engines, people in quiet spaces, and people in a hurry.
January 9, 2026 at 5:25 PM
dredf.bsky.social
The House voted to extend ACA premium subsidies that keep health care affordable for millions. Now the Senate must pass it, too.
Call your Senators and urge them to pass the extension.
More info:
Bright yellow graphic with bold dark text reading, “Affordable Healthcare is Within Reach.” Below, smaller text says, “Call Your Senator and Demand They Pass ACA Subsidies.” In the top right corner is the DREDF logo. On the right side, a simple line illustration shows an outstretched hand reaching toward a smartphone, symbolizing taking action by making a call. The overall tone is urgent yet hopeful, emphasizing that affordable health care is attainable through collective action.
January 10, 2026 at 1:15 AM
dredf.bsky.social
HHS has proposed 3 harmful rules that would allow discrimination against trans people, block essential care for trans youth using Medicaid/CHIP, and bar trans youth from receiving care at hospitals. These rules aren’t final,act now. Learn more: https://dredf.org/protect-trans-rights/
A person walking in Adidas shoes holds a banner with hand-drawn images, one of which is a trans pride flag. Text reads “Comment to Protect Trans Rights: You Can help stop cruel and harmful proposed rules,” and a next arrow. Text reads “Informational Briefing on HHS’s New Anti-Trans Rules. Monday, Jan 12 10:30 - 11:45 am PT | 1:30 - 2:45 pm ET. Register Now” with a doodle of a light bulb and a DREDF logo in the corner.
January 8, 2026 at 7:15 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Bob Kafka was a community builder whose work shaped generations of disability rights leadership. He believed in dignity, solidarity, and the power of organizing together. His legacy lives on through community, care, and action. 
Read the @npr.org feature: bit.ly/4piG9ut
January 5, 2026 at 8:30 PM
dredf.bsky.social
For students with disabilities, access to education has been shaped by civil rights, advocacy, and the belief that every child belongs.

DREDF has worked for decades to advance inclusive, equitable education so students with disabilities can succeed.

Support our work: https://dredf.org/donate/
A brown graphic with the DREDF logo at the top left features large white text reading “Accessing Education,” with smaller yellow text below that says “With Your Support.” On the right, a focused school-aged child sits in a wheelchair at a table, writing with a pencil, while an adult leans in nearby offering support and encouragement. The scene conveys inclusion, learning, and shared attention.
January 1, 2026 at 5:01 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Opportunity begins with access—to live, learn, love, and work in the community.

With your support, DREDF will continue its decades-long work to open doors, remove barriers, and build pathways to full participation in the year ahead.

Support our work: https://dredf.org/donate/
A brown graphic with the DREDF logo at the top left features large white text reading “Expanding Opportunity,” with smaller yellow text below that says “With Your Support.” On the right, a thoughtful, confident Black masculine-presenting blind person holds a white cane, looking slightly upward, conveying determination and possibility.
December 30, 2025 at 5:02 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Freedom means being able to pursue education, employment, healthcare, and community life with autonomy, access and respect.

For decades, DREDF has worked to expand freedom and remove systemic barriers. With your support, we carry this work forward.

Support us: https://dredf.org/donate/
A brown graphic with the DREDF logo at the top left features large white text reading “Securing Freedom,” with smaller yellow text below that says “With Your Support.” On the right, a smiling, confident, feminine-presenting person with short dark hair sits in a wheelchair, wearing a red top and patterned skirt, gesturing expressively with one hand. The image conveys confidence, agency, and self-determination.
December 29, 2025 at 5:02 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Mark and Lori are celebrating their 10th anniversary today. As an engaged couple, their biggest Christmas wish remains the right to celebrate their love by getting married.

Learn more and support Mark and Lori’s journey toward future Christmases as a married couple: dredf.org/vertical/mar...
Selfie of Lori and Mark, both middle-aged white people that tilt their heads toward each other. Selfie of Lori and Mark, both middle-aged white people, smile in front of a Christmas nutcracker.
December 25, 2025 at 3:25 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Why are hotels still inaccessible in 2025? We deserve accessible rooms, clear communication, and equal access, not excuses. Read this important @npr.org story: www.npr.org/2025/12/24/n...
35 years after ADA, people with disabilities still find hotels unaccommodating
AN NPR survey finds that people with disability still find hotels unaccommodating, even 35 years after passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
www.npr.org
December 24, 2025 at 5:54 PM
dredf.bsky.social
For decades, DREDF has advanced the dignity of people with disabilities through litigation, advocacy, and education.

This moment calls for leadership and momentum.

Your support makes it possible to advance policies and strengthen rights.

Donate today: https://dredf.org/donate/
A brown graphic with the DREDF logo at the top left features large white text reading “Advancing Dignity,” with smaller yellow text below that says “With Your Support.” On the right, a smiling Black feminine presenting person wearing a yellow outfit sits in a power wheelchair, facing the camera and looking to the right and smiling.
December 23, 2025 at 5:02 PM
dredf.bsky.social
We oppose the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s proposed public charge rule because it uses disability-related support needs as a proxy for “public charge.” This discourages access to care, fosters discrimination, and forces impossible choices between health and immigration security.
aapd.com AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities @aapd.com · 29d
This change harms disabled immigrants. Allowing individual DHS officers to use their personal judgment about factors related to disability could lead to inequitable outcomes for prospective disabled immigrants.

Click here to take action: https://aapd.quorum.us/campaign/150993/
Call to action urging people to tell the Department of Homeland Security not to implement the public charge rule as it harms people with disabilities.
December 19, 2025 at 7:59 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Health care access is on the line. Congress must act NOW to extend the enhanced ACA premium tax credits before they expire or millions could lose affordable coverage. Take action!
Read report: https://bit.ly/kera-aca
CHN Action’s tool: https://bit.ly/ACA-tax-credit 
Call Congress: (202) 224-3121
A dark blue graphic with the DREDF logo in the top left displays a quote in white and yellow text inside a rounded border. The quote emphasizes that health insurance and health care are essential, and highlights in yellow that tax credits are very important for low-income families. Yellow quotation marks frame the text.
December 18, 2025 at 12:40 AM
dredf.bsky.social
In a new @retroreport.org film, “How Activists Pushed for the A.D.A.,” DREDF co-founders Mary Lou Breslin & Pat Wright reflect on the activism, strategy and community power that secured one of the most important civil rights laws in U.S. history

Access the film:
DREDF Featured in Retro Report Film on the Fight for the ADA - DREDF
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
dredf.org
December 16, 2025 at 8:03 PM
dredf.bsky.social
A proposed settlement in Douglass v. Husqvarna addresses allegations that Husqvarna’s website and apps were inaccessible to people with visual disabilities.
More here:
Notice to Potential Class Members: Proposed Settlement Reached in Husqvarna ADA Website Accessibility Class Action - DREDF
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
dredf.org
December 16, 2025 at 5:02 PM
dredf.bsky.social
AI tools make decisions about our healthcare, transportation, jobs, housing, safety, and more. Without rules, they routinely discriminate against disabled people. 
How we combat it: https://dredf.org/dredf-opposes-ai-executive-order-restricting-state-laws-calls-for-passage-of-ai-civil-rights-act/
A feminine presenting black woman with short curly hair is shown from behind, standing in front of a large digital screen filled with vertical streams of glowing blue code. At the top left is the DREDF logo. Below the image, bold text reads: “AI Automates Disability Discrimination & Exclusion.” Smaller text underneath says: “Pass the AI Civil Rights Act for transparency, fairness, and inclusion.” Red decorative dots appear on the right side of the text block.
December 12, 2025 at 11:45 PM
dredf.bsky.social
The Judge who issued an order last month requiring real-time ASL interpretation for White House briefings understands that including millions of Americans is more important than the ‘image’ of presenters.

Read how advocates are fighting for the inclusion of all.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
White House raises concerns about Trump’s ‘image’ in lawsuit over sign language interpreters
The White House is appealing court orders to restore interpretation services at press briefings.
www.politico.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:42 PM
dredf.bsky.social
On the 68th anniversary of the creation of the DOJ Civil Rights Division, over 200 prior employees shared an open letter decrying the near-destruction of the division.

The letter: https://www.thejusticeconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Civil-Rights-Division-Sign-On-Letter.pdf
Thumbnail image for the letter that features Dwight D. Eisenhower is seated, writing at a desk. Below, a headline reads: "An Open Letter from Former Civil Rights Division Employees."
December 12, 2025 at 5:03 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Intellectual disability is a lived reality, not a technicality to be redefined when the state wants a death sentence. 

Today, SCOTUS hears #HammvSmith via @americanprogress.bsky.social
The Supreme Court To Decide on How IQ Tests Can Affect the Death Penalty
In Hamm v. Smith, the Supreme Court will consider how IQ tests can be used to determine when an individual with an intellectual disability may be spared from the death penalty.
www.americanprogress.org
December 10, 2025 at 7:04 PM
dredf.bsky.social
The 2026 SARTAC Fellowship is now open! This fellowship supports self-advocates in leading projects that advance disability rights and community inclusion.

Learn more:
https://selfadvocacyinfo.org/2026-fellowship-application-copy/

@nicole1985.bsky.social
2026 Fellowship Application - SARTAC
We are accepting applications for our 2026 fellowship program! What is a Fellowship? This Fellowship is for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities or IDD. A SARTAC Fellowship is a…
selfadvocacyinfo.org
December 9, 2025 at 11:02 PM
dredf.bsky.social
Families are terrified.

New reporting highlights the risk federal cuts to Medicaid and the Office for Civil Rights pose to nearly one million children with disabilities in California. Read more:
Trump cuts ‘terrifying’ for students with disabilities
Trump cut funding for students with disabilities. He also gutted the Office of Civil Rights, which helps enforce disability law.
calmatters.org
December 9, 2025 at 12:31 AM
dredf.bsky.social
What would special education look like without the U.S. Department of Education?
Join DREDF and @copaafape.bsky.social on Dec 9 at 2 PM ET to learn about what you should prepare for.

Register: https://dredf-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__PiU7n1hQl-UFug_fAvD3Q<a href="/hashtag/%2Fregistration" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#/registration
Flyer reads 'Looking Ahead: Potential Consequences of Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 11 am Pacific and 2 pm Eastern. Learn about the role of the U.S. Department of Education, What you need to know about special education with the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education. Register Soon.” Image of a parent and student in a learning setting and logos for the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund and Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
December 8, 2025 at 7:02 PM