Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
ihdps.bsky.social
Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
@ihdps.bsky.social
To conduct timely and meaningful research and evaluation to inform health and disability policy, with the goal of improving access and quality of care for all people, particularly for those with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
Pinned
The 2025 National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) is now closed!

While we look at the information people have shared, we invite you to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop about disability research news, resources, and other opportunities: tinyurl.com/ycxepyzk
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
Today we celebrate Ed Roberts on what would have been his 87th birthday. Ed Roberts had a huge influence on Berkeley creating the first independent living service and advocacy program run by and for people with disabilities. His impact on the disability rights movement cannot be overstated.
January 23, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
Community Webinar Alert!

Topic: An Advocate's Toolkit for Broad #Medicaid Exemption Implementation

Date: Wednesday, January 14
Time: 4 - 5pm ET

Free to attend; registration required

Link to register: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

#disability #disabilityadvocate #selfadvocate #nacdd #disabled
January 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
Welcome to 2026: What’s New with You?

Throughout the year, members of the NIDILRR grantee community send us updates about their work, like new articles we can add to our library, awards or achievements based on their NIDILRR-funded research, or cool tools or resources that the community can use.…
Welcome to 2026: What’s New with You?
Throughout the year, members of the NIDILRR grantee community send us updates about their work, like new articles we can add to our library, awards or achievements based on their NIDILRR-funded research, or cool tools or resources that the community can use. We highlight many of these in our weekly News and Notes from the NIDILRR Community and Beyond (not a subscriber?
naricspotlight.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
"As federal officials begin to outline more stringent Medicaid eligibility rules, worries are running high about what the changes will mean for people with disabilitie...
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/01/05/medicaid-changes-could-limit-access-for-people-with-disabilities-advocates-warn/31789/
Medicaid Changes Could Limit Access For People With Disabilities, Advocates Warn
As federal officials begin to outline more stringent Medicaid eligibility rules, worries are running high about what the changes will mean for people with disabilities.
www.disabilityscoop.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
“I’m honored to be your ancestor and believe that disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don’t let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.”
Hero of 2025: Alice Wong
The disability justice icon's last message: "Don’t let the bastards grind you down."
www.motherjones.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
"ABLE accounts will be available to Americans with disabilities that onset by age 46 beginning in January. Until now, the age limit has been 26." Read more about 2026 and ABLE accounts here: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/12/18/new-year-brings-big-changes-for-able-accounts/31784/ #ABLE #PwD
New Year Brings Big Changes For ABLE Accounts
Access to accounts that allow individuals with disabilities to save without losing government benefits will expand dramatically and people with the accounts will be able to save more than ever before.
www.disabilityscoop.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
The National Council on Disability is requesting public input to help shape a policy brief on disability clinical care and competency training. Share your perspective by January 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.

Share your input here:
www.ncd.gov/2025/12/01/d...
December 20, 2025 at 11:42 PM
We are greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Kafka.

Rest in power Bob.
npr.org NPR @npr.org · 27d
Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities. n.pr/4pWshr5
Disability rights advocate Bob Kafka dead at 79
Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities.
n.pr
December 30, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
AN NPR survey finds that people with disability still find hotels unaccommodating, even 35 years after passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. n.pr/48VPxj2
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.
n.pr
December 24, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
Our final #PolicyBlog of 2025 reviews the legal protections that help combat discrimination against people with disabilities, with a focus on healthcare:
aahd.us/2025/12/heal...

Sign up for our newsletters to follow our policy work in 2026:
bit.ly/AAHD-Subscribe
#PolicyFocus #DisabilitySky
Health Equity - AAHD
Health equity becomes more possible when every person with a disability can access the supports and services they need to live a full life. Through legal and policy approaches, US public health…
aahd.us
December 17, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
Particularly looking for more mentees and mentors in the following time zones: UTC+0, UTC+1, UTC+3, UTC+10! #DisabledInSTEM
It's that time of year again... time for #DisabledInSTEM 2026 Mentorship applications! I'm so excited to be running this program for the sixth year and seeing the growth over the years!

Mentee form: forms.gle/um5DvYnBi3tn...
Mentor form: forms.gle/BvaxnQm8uhUR...

Applications due December 5th!
December 6, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
A KU study to increase access to fitness for people with disabilities is expanding. In #Lawrence, so is Kaw Valley CrossFit, with increased space for adapted equipment and training. The public is invited to a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. Dec. 19 to learn more. https://loom.ly/htRwLhs
Grant to expand community-based research project focused on people with mobility disabilities
With new federal funding, a University of Kansas project is expanding access to exercise for people with disabilities. Life Span Institute researcher Lyndsie Koon says the community-based functional fitness program has shown strong results.
lifespan.ku.edu
December 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
New court documents reveal a list of nearly 200 words or phrases the Trump administration told Head Start programs it does not want to see in their funding requests. n.pr/497P6C4
Head Start centers told to avoid 'disability,' 'women' and more in funding requests
New court documents reveal a list of nearly 200 words or phrases the Trump administration told Head Start programs it does not want to see in their funding requests.
n.pr
December 11, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
Accessing disaster aid can be overwhelming, especially for disabled people, elders, people of color, & low-income communities. FEMA is often the main system people are directed to after a disaster, but navigating it is not always transparent or easy. This guide breaks down the real steps. [1/7]
December 4, 2025 at 7:57 PM
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We’re now accepting applications for our 2026 Scholarship on Health & Disability! This award is made each year to undergraduate/ graduate students pursuing studies in the broad field of #DisabilityHealth. Due: March 6, 2026
Share this opportunity: aahd.us/initiatives/...
#Disability #DisabilitySky
December 9, 2025 at 5:47 PM
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The U.S. #SupremeCourt is set to hear arguments in a case that advocates say could have major implications for how #IntellectualDisability is defined. #disabilities #SCOTUS
Supreme Court To Hear Case On Intellectual Disability
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in a case that advocates say could have major implications for how intellectual disability is defined.
www.disabilityscoop.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:17 AM
This project from the @center4ds.bsky.social documented the experiences of disabled and chronically ill people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

disabilitycovidchronicles.nyu.edu

#Covid19 #LongCovid #disability
Disability Covid Chronicles
Documenting the experiences of disabled and chronically ill people during the current COVID-19 pandemic, organized by the NYU Center for Disability Studies
disabilitycovidchronicles.nyu.edu
December 3, 2025 at 7:25 PM
The @bazeloncenter.bsky.social has released a short guide for states to support people with disabilities in light of impending changes to Medicaid.

Read more at:

Guide:
www.bazelon.org/wp-content/u...

Bazelon's site:
www.bazelon.org
www.bazelon.org
December 2, 2025 at 9:15 PM
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UK’s Human Development Institute (HDI) received $3.2 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education to support a nationwide effort to engage employers and improve job opportunities for people with disabilities.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3MAklNd
HDI grant to advance employer engagement strategies in vocational rehabilitation | UK Research
The UK Human Development Institute received $3.2 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education to support a nationwide effort to engage employers and improve job opportunities for people wi...
bit.ly
December 2, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
Medicaid is the bare minimum for people with Long COVID and other complex conditions. But instead of improving it, amid skyrocketing disability claims, the Trump administration is making it worse. The impact could be catastrophic.
My feature for @thesicktimes.org: thesicktimes.org/2025/12/02/t...
The future of Medicaid is “really scary” for people with Long COVID - The Sick Times
The deep cuts to Medicaid funding in the Trump administration’s spending bill of almost $1 trillion — as well as new requirements making Medicaid more difficult to obtain and maintain — will hit disad...
thesicktimes.org
December 2, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
'Long COVID patients face more than double the healthcare costs after diagnosis'

'"Long COVID is a debilitating disease for patients, presenting in a myriad of ways, with far-reaching implications for those affected."

www.news-medical.net/news/2025120...
Long COVID patients face more than double the healthcare costs after diagnosis
People with Long COVID use the health service significantly more than they did before their diagnosis. These patients need to use GP, outpatient, inpatient and emergency department services more than ...
www.news-medical.net
December 2, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
Not long after passage of the ADA came the regional centers today comprising the ADA National Network. They were created to help communities understand the ADA and its provisions. Learn more about the different types of services offered by your regional center!

adata.org/factsheet/AD...
What Types of Services Can the ADA National Network Offer You? | ADA National Network
adata.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Guide from NCHPAD shows ways to engage as a person with a disability with a local CIL in many different roles - including consumer, advocate, peer, staff and more!

www.nchpad.org/resources/un...

#Disability #PeerSupport
Unlocking Opportunities: Engaging with Your State’s Center for Independent Living
How people with disabilities can become active service recipients, staff members, leaders and advocates within their local centers for independent living.
www.nchpad.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
🎉 KU Transition to Postsecondary Education has received a grant to increase access to college in Kansas for students with intellectual disabilities!

To learn more, visit loom.ly/3lpS24U
November 6, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Reposted by Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies
Housing is a basic human need that is out of reach for hundreds of thousands of disabled people. Read the thread for some key facts, and then check out our blog post at the link below to learn more.

Image Description: An unhoused person sleeping on a sidewalk.

#Disabilities #Disability
The Housing Crisis in the Disability Community - Disability Belongs™
Nearly half of unhoused individuals live with a disability, yet their unique needs are often left out of housing policy and service design.
www.disabilitybelongs.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:05 PM