Emily Ladau
@emilyladau.bsky.social
Author of "Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally." Disability rights activist who lives life on wheels. ♿️
Reposted by Emily Ladau
I see people saying
“I would use alt text but I keep forgetting!”
Thankfully, @bsky.app has a setting for that.
- Go to Settings
- Then Accessibility
- Toggle “Require alt text before posting” to the active setting.
Now Bluesky will remind you to add alt text to all of your posts.
“I would use alt text but I keep forgetting!”
Thankfully, @bsky.app has a setting for that.
- Go to Settings
- Then Accessibility
- Toggle “Require alt text before posting” to the active setting.
Now Bluesky will remind you to add alt text to all of your posts.
May 11, 2025 at 8:34 AM
I see people saying
“I would use alt text but I keep forgetting!”
Thankfully, @bsky.app has a setting for that.
- Go to Settings
- Then Accessibility
- Toggle “Require alt text before posting” to the active setting.
Now Bluesky will remind you to add alt text to all of your posts.
“I would use alt text but I keep forgetting!”
Thankfully, @bsky.app has a setting for that.
- Go to Settings
- Then Accessibility
- Toggle “Require alt text before posting” to the active setting.
Now Bluesky will remind you to add alt text to all of your posts.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) turns 50 today.
I fear it could be the last year the law is intact.
It was never fully funded by any administration, nor is it a perfect solution for inclusion. But its existence has been a vital path to education access.
We must protect it.
I fear it could be the last year the law is intact.
It was never fully funded by any administration, nor is it a perfect solution for inclusion. But its existence has been a vital path to education access.
We must protect it.
November 29, 2025 at 11:11 PM
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) turns 50 today.
I fear it could be the last year the law is intact.
It was never fully funded by any administration, nor is it a perfect solution for inclusion. But its existence has been a vital path to education access.
We must protect it.
I fear it could be the last year the law is intact.
It was never fully funded by any administration, nor is it a perfect solution for inclusion. But its existence has been a vital path to education access.
We must protect it.
Reposted by Emily Ladau
I really wish we'd stop calling them climate "skeptics" or "vaccine skeptics", if you jump off a cliff we don't call you a "gravity skeptic"
November 25, 2025 at 8:18 PM
I really wish we'd stop calling them climate "skeptics" or "vaccine skeptics", if you jump off a cliff we don't call you a "gravity skeptic"
i very openly ugly-cried during "for good."
i loved wicked 2 i will hear no slander i cried like a tiny baby
November 25, 2025 at 3:45 AM
i very openly ugly-cried during "for good."
Reposted by Emily Ladau
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
A Disabled Child’s Mom Reported Him Missing. He Was Locked Away by Federal Immigration Authorities for 48 Days.
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old who has an intellectual disability, walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October. Houston Police called ICE.
thebarbedwire.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
Reposted by Emily Ladau
My first piece for the newly-rebranded @msnowreports.bsky.social: RFK Jr.'s changing the CDC's stance on autism and vaccines signifies just another step in the backlash to #Neurodiversity. And it is a disservice to #ActuallyAutistic people.
www.ms.now/opinion/rfk-...
www.ms.now/opinion/rfk-...
Opinion | RFK Jr.'s latest anti-vaccine move will cause untold harm to autistic Americans
The Trump administration is working toward treating autism as something to be prevented, rather than building a health care system that helps people.
www.ms.now
November 24, 2025 at 10:06 PM
My first piece for the newly-rebranded @msnowreports.bsky.social: RFK Jr.'s changing the CDC's stance on autism and vaccines signifies just another step in the backlash to #Neurodiversity. And it is a disservice to #ActuallyAutistic people.
www.ms.now/opinion/rfk-...
www.ms.now/opinion/rfk-...
It takes a true villain to bring enemies together.
Glad to read this statement. Wish it didn't need to exist.
Glad to read this statement. Wish it didn't need to exist.
WOW! Autism Society of America, The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, the Autism Science Foundation, the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network and Autism Speaks put out a statement denouncing the CDC changing its website on vaccines
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/lead...
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/lead...
Leading Autism and Disability Organizations Statement on CDC's Vaccines and Autism Page
As national organizations dedicated to advancing the well-being of autistic individuals and partners across the disability and public health sectors, we are deeply disappointed by the latest update to...
autisticadvocacy.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:39 AM
It takes a true villain to bring enemies together.
Glad to read this statement. Wish it didn't need to exist.
Glad to read this statement. Wish it didn't need to exist.
Yes, the world is overflowing with slop and mush and nonsense, but this piece ENTIRELY ignores that the concept of an IQ is deeply ableist (and in fact heavily connected to eugenics).
Intelligence takes so many forms, and none of them are the measure of the worth of a person.
Intelligence takes so many forms, and none of them are the measure of the worth of a person.
“The world is dumber, and we all know it,” Lane Brown writes. For our Cover Story, Brown writes about our recent cognitive diminishment — and proposes a counter-intuitive theory of what’s causing it. tinyurl.com/4648c9pj
November 25, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Yes, the world is overflowing with slop and mush and nonsense, but this piece ENTIRELY ignores that the concept of an IQ is deeply ableist (and in fact heavily connected to eugenics).
Intelligence takes so many forms, and none of them are the measure of the worth of a person.
Intelligence takes so many forms, and none of them are the measure of the worth of a person.
I don't know which is more infuriating:
1) That HHS is pushing "healthy eating" & avoiding "environmental toxins" as the administration is causing food costs to skyrocket & demolishing climate-safe practices.
2) That HHS is pushing the ableist narrative that you can exercise away health problems.
1) That HHS is pushing "healthy eating" & avoiding "environmental toxins" as the administration is causing food costs to skyrocket & demolishing climate-safe practices.
2) That HHS is pushing the ableist narrative that you can exercise away health problems.
For years Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been pushing the notion that germ theory is overrated. Now other HHS officials are picking up that argument. Katherine J. Wu reports:
To Survive the Next Pandemic, Walk More, the NIH Says
The agency is picking up Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s argument that a healthy immune system can keep even pandemic germs at bay.
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 1:57 AM
I don't know which is more infuriating:
1) That HHS is pushing "healthy eating" & avoiding "environmental toxins" as the administration is causing food costs to skyrocket & demolishing climate-safe practices.
2) That HHS is pushing the ableist narrative that you can exercise away health problems.
1) That HHS is pushing "healthy eating" & avoiding "environmental toxins" as the administration is causing food costs to skyrocket & demolishing climate-safe practices.
2) That HHS is pushing the ableist narrative that you can exercise away health problems.
Reposted by Emily Ladau
I really hate it when scientists keep saying that “we need to rebuild trust in science,” because it implies that scientists are to blame for the mistrust rather than the millions of dollars of dark money that have funded political attacks on science in order to advance a far right agenda.
November 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I really hate it when scientists keep saying that “we need to rebuild trust in science,” because it implies that scientists are to blame for the mistrust rather than the millions of dollars of dark money that have funded political attacks on science in order to advance a far right agenda.
I think this incident taps into the same emotions people felt years ago when Trump mocked Serge Kovaleski, the disabled reporter. It cuts to the core because it's the basest form of playground bullying--something far too many of us experienced in our formative years.
I don't know why the "Piggy" thing is bothering me so much. It's one more unforgivable thing in a list of 20,000 unforgivable things, but I've been mad about it for like 12 straight hours.
November 19, 2025 at 12:49 AM
I think this incident taps into the same emotions people felt years ago when Trump mocked Serge Kovaleski, the disabled reporter. It cuts to the core because it's the basest form of playground bullying--something far too many of us experienced in our formative years.
Reposted by Emily Ladau
Your new motto should be: if it’s fine for disabled people, it’s fine for me.
November 11, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Your new motto should be: if it’s fine for disabled people, it’s fine for me.
Reposted by Emily Ladau
I know everyone is fed up with the state of the world but what if you didn’t take it out on people you have mild disagreements with on social media
November 18, 2025 at 12:08 AM
I know everyone is fed up with the state of the world but what if you didn’t take it out on people you have mild disagreements with on social media
Reposted by Emily Ladau
Medicaid-funded services are their lifeline—and make their work possible. But the Trump cuts to the program could change it all.
Meet Audrey and Jeremy, who went viral for talking about how the GOP's Medicaid cuts could devastate their everyday.
Meet Audrey and Jeremy, who went viral for talking about how the GOP's Medicaid cuts could devastate their everyday.
What Trump's Medicaid cuts mean for two podcasters with Down syndrome
Medicaid-funded services are their lifeline—and make their work possible.
www.motherjones.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Medicaid-funded services are their lifeline—and make their work possible. But the Trump cuts to the program could change it all.
Meet Audrey and Jeremy, who went viral for talking about how the GOP's Medicaid cuts could devastate their everyday.
Meet Audrey and Jeremy, who went viral for talking about how the GOP's Medicaid cuts could devastate their everyday.
Neither progress nor destruction happen in vacuums. Everyday ableism may feel trivial in the face of dire disasters, but efforts to fight both are essential if we are going to successfully uproot harmful systems. emilyladau.substack.com/p/the-jenga-...
The Jenga Tower of Justice: Balancing Everyday Ableism with Global Crisis
Is a "both/and" mentality possible in a world that increasingly demands an "either/or" mentality?
emilyladau.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Neither progress nor destruction happen in vacuums. Everyday ableism may feel trivial in the face of dire disasters, but efforts to fight both are essential if we are going to successfully uproot harmful systems. emilyladau.substack.com/p/the-jenga-...
A grateful post seems so small in the vastness of all @sfdirewolf.bsky.social did for the world, but Alice showed the power of social media to spark change, so I hope the love through these channels are emanating toward her into the ether. Thank you for everything. www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Alice Wong on Instagram: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the time of her passing. Hi everyone, it ...
17K likes, 778 comments - alicatsamurai on November 14, 2025: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the ...
www.instagram.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:26 PM
A grateful post seems so small in the vastness of all @sfdirewolf.bsky.social did for the world, but Alice showed the power of social media to spark change, so I hope the love through these channels are emanating toward her into the ether. Thank you for everything. www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Reposted by Emily Ladau
I don’t want to formulate words yet, but my friend Alice Wong, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social of the Disability Visibility Project, has passed.
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Alice Wong on Instagram: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the time of her passing. Hi everyone, it ...
423 likes, 73 comments - alicatsamurai on November 14, 2025: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the t...
www.instagram.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:57 AM
I don’t want to formulate words yet, but my friend Alice Wong, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social of the Disability Visibility Project, has passed.
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Reposted by Emily Ladau
Many thoughts about my cyborg bitch boss goddess accomplice Alice Wong & all the things she meant but there is a tendency for white disabled people to overshadow conversations about disabled BIPOC including in death. I choose to let Alice speak for herself & uplift those she wanted to represent her.
November 15, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Many thoughts about my cyborg bitch boss goddess accomplice Alice Wong & all the things she meant but there is a tendency for white disabled people to overshadow conversations about disabled BIPOC including in death. I choose to let Alice speak for herself & uplift those she wanted to represent her.
By this standard, I genuinely wonder how many people in this administration wouldn't be allowed citizenship based on their own rules. www.axios.com/2025/11/13/s...
State Department says visas can be denied over diabetes, obesity: reports
The guidance gives officers more reasons to turn away applicants.
www.axios.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:51 PM
By this standard, I genuinely wonder how many people in this administration wouldn't be allowed citizenship based on their own rules. www.axios.com/2025/11/13/s...
I will not be relinquishing my use of the em-dash—nor should anyone have to.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Inside the unofficial movement to save the em dash — from A.I.
The extra-long hyphen known as the em dash is common in AI-generated text. While some writers have responded by choosing to avoid the punctuation mark, others are fighting back.
www.npr.org
November 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
I will not be relinquishing my use of the em-dash—nor should anyone have to.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Reposted by Emily Ladau
This is true for many who require health insurance to live and work. ACA premium tax credits are essential. Health care is already too expensive. www.americanprogress.org/article/aca-...
November 10, 2025 at 7:27 PM
This is true for many who require health insurance to live and work. ACA premium tax credits are essential. Health care is already too expensive. www.americanprogress.org/article/aca-...
Reposted by Emily Ladau
SNAP benefits make it possible for the many disabled people (especially those who are multiply marginalized) relying on them to buy specific foods necessary to stay alive and stable. Food pantries/food banks often do not offer food reliably or at all that meets specific dietary requirements.
October 27, 2025 at 9:38 PM
SNAP benefits make it possible for the many disabled people (especially those who are multiply marginalized) relying on them to buy specific foods necessary to stay alive and stable. Food pantries/food banks often do not offer food reliably or at all that meets specific dietary requirements.
So glad our government is arguing like school-aged kids while *actual* school-aged kids and their families are at risk of losing vital access to nutrition. www.notus.org/senate/senat...
Senate Republicans Block Democratic Effort to Fund SNAP During the Shutdown
Federal food aid for more than 30 million Americans is set to lapse at the end of the week.
www.notus.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:40 AM
So glad our government is arguing like school-aged kids while *actual* school-aged kids and their families are at risk of losing vital access to nutrition. www.notus.org/senate/senat...
If the No Kings protests happening this weekend aren't accessible to you, please remember that there are many other valid and vital means of resistance. You are needed, however you show up. open.substack.com/pub/emilylad...
I've Marched, Rallied, and Protested In My Wheelchair. But It's Rarely Accessible.
Who is the revolution for if it's not for everyone?
open.substack.com
October 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
If the No Kings protests happening this weekend aren't accessible to you, please remember that there are many other valid and vital means of resistance. You are needed, however you show up. open.substack.com/pub/emilylad...