American Association of People with Disabilities

Stacey Park Milbern was a fierce advocate, writer, and visionary leader in the disability justice movement. As a queer, Korean American woman living with muscular dystrophy, she brought an intersectional lens to disability rights and centered voices that are all too often left out of the narrative. She co-founded the Disability Justice Movement (in fact, she helped coin the term!), reminding the world that accessibility must be intersectional. Her work was rooted in care, community, and collective liberation — not charity. Stacey is also a 2007 alumna of the AAPD Internship Program. From organizing grassroots mutual aid during crises to challenging ableism in healthcare and policy, Stacey's legacy is eternal. The US Mint will be putting Stacey on a quarter as part of the American Women Quarters program to honor the life she lived. 💜 Please join us at an event honoring her at the National Smithsonian Museum of American History: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/eDGZ-kZP. ID: A stylized graphic of Stacey Park Milbern featuring a photo of her in black-and-white on the left side inside and the quarter featuring her likeness on the right.

AAPD is hiring a full-time Tech Policy Associate. Details below: ✅Format: Hybrid* (i.e., some in-person work required) ✅ Location: Washington, DC (with occasional travel) ✅Expected Start Date: immediately ✅Salary: $60,000 - $75,000 The Technology Policy team at the American Association of People with Disabilities addresses critical issues at the intersection of technology policy and disability rights. Our work spans a wide range of areas, including digital accessibility, assistive technology, telecommunications and broadband access, data privacy, artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging technologies. We advocate for a safer and more inclusive internet for people with disabilities, engage in shaping regulations around emerging technologies, and build coalitions with individuals and organizations to promote equitable tech policy. See full details and apply by the August 5 priority deadline at: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/e_y-Nhyg ID: Black text on a light blue background that says AAPD is hiring a tech policy associate, hybrid rolling bases with an August 5 priority deadline.

35 years ago today, on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. AAPD co-founder and disability rights activist Justin Dart was by his side on the White House lawn as President Bush declared, "Let the shameful wall of exclusion come tumbling down." 35 years later, the shameful wall of exclusion still exists, and is being built higher by policies and executive orders that force disabled people into institutions, take away our healthcare, and protect employers who discriminate against us. The current attack on disability rights makes celebrating the ADA today...complicated. But celebrating the ADA's passage reminds us that the dedication and persistence of disabled Americans have changed this country time and again. Disability advocacy is powerful. Our community is powerful. And in this moment, our power is needed more than ever. We are so grateful for the ADA and the advocates who fought for it. We will honor and continue their legacy by ensuring the ADA is the floor, not the ceiling, of disability inclusion and civil rights. In the words of legendary disabled advocate Anita Cameron, "Civil rights aren't given. You have to fight to get them, and then fight to keep them." We'll be fighting alongside you for the next 35 years and beyond, #DisCo - Happy #ADA35! #DisabilityAdvocate Image description in alt-text and comments.

A huge thank you to Wells Fargo for being the Presenting Partner for our ADA35 Celebration Event this week, which AAPD co-hosted with the National Council on Independent Living! Your sponsorship and commitment to inclusion made an evening of much-needed celebration and Disability Joy possible. Image description: A teal and purple gradient background has an image of the Wells Fargo logo and says in white text, "Thank you to our ADA35 Celebration Presenting Partner Wells Fargo." The AAPD logo is in the bottom right corner.

There is a panel discussion for the ADA 35th Anniversary and a screening of PBS' Change not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act tonight. AAPD is a presenting sponsor for this event. WHEN: Wednesday, July 16th from 6:00 - 8:00pm WHERE: Capitol Visitor Center Auditorium (CVC 200). Or, livestream the event at: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/egqNeAni Closed captions and ASL interpretation provided. AAPD's Maria Town will be speaking during the opening remarks! The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was a milestone for civil rights in American history. The curb cuts on street corners, the ramped entrances to buildings, the braille on elevator buttons, are likely a result of the ADA. Change, Not Charity tells the story of the people who got the ADA signed into law. Through resilient activism, steadfast coalition building, and persistent stakeholder engagement, this film tells the story of ordinary people who spoke truth to power – and put their bodies on the line – to change American life forever. Presented by: Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) American Association of People with Disabilities Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) Former Congressman Tony Coelho Former Congressman Steve Bartlett ID: Poster for the film and panel discussion of Change, Not Charity. The poster features a stylized image of several activists.

The Department of Labor recently rolled back three important regulations that promote disability employment. They're removing longstanding rules that mandate voluntary self-disclosure affirmative action requirements in apprenticeship programs and federal contracts to ensure 7% of federal contractors and apprentices are disabled. They also have rolled back a proposed rule ending the use of subminimum wage, which is paying disabled people less for doing the same work as their nondisabled coworkers. We strongly condemn the elimination of these rules. DOL has marked the first week of Disability Pride Month by making it much harder for people with disabilities to find competitive employment and get paid what we deserve.  Read AAPD's press release explaining these policy changes and what they mean for our community. Be sure to follow AAPD to stay up-to-date about actions you can take to oppose these harmful changes! https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/d2Xnn3JH ID: Bold, white text on a blue background with the AAPD logo in the lower right corner. The Department of Labor (DOL) just took actions that will make it harder for disabled people to have equal access to employment opportunities. DOL proposed removing a longstanding requirement for 7% of federal contractors to be disabled people. DOL also proposed removing the same longstanding requirement for 7% of apprenticeship participants to be disabled people. DOL had a long overdue proposed regulation that would have ended a DOL program allowing employers to pay disabled workers less than minimum wage. On July 7, DOL withdrew that proposal. AAPD condemns DOL's deliberate and dangerous efforts to roll back essential federal progress to ensures employment opportunities for disabled workers. Read our press release and take action!

You’re invited to AAPD and the National Council on Independent Living’s celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act! Join us as we celebrate the progress of the movement for disability rights and justice, and make space for community joy to strengthen us for the work ahead. The event is 8-11 PM ET on July 22 at the Grand Hyatt Washington. The first hour of the event will be sensory-friendly. Starting at 9 PM, a DJ will play a live set for a community dance party with captions provided for all spoken and lyrical content. Use this link to get tickets today 👉 https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/get3syGy Choose the Celebration of Community: ADA35 Ticket. If you're attending NCIL's conference, your ticket is included. AAPD is also proud to participate in NCIL’s march and rally on July 21. Meet between 2:15 – 2:45 PM at the Grand Hyatt to participate in the march, or 4:00PM at the Capitol Building for the rally. ID: Invitation for ADA Celebration on Tuesday, July 22 at Grand Hyatt Washington D.C., from 8 to 11 PM with sensory-friendly hour and DJ dance party from 8 to 9 PM.

We are proud to be the convening partner for the The Access Coalition!

We are seeking an Internship Program Manager to manage all of the primary components related to the AAPD Internship Programs. AAPD’s Summer and Fall Internship programs develop stronger disability identities for students and recent graduates so they can shape the future of our workplaces and communities. AAPD achieves this by providing professional and career development opportunities for program participants so that they can access meaningful employment, gain leadership skills, and connect to the broader disability community. Priority will be given to applicants who apply by Friday the 11th, with a rolling deadline of July 16th. Full details: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/e-NqMEZM ✅Position Type: Manager ✅Job Type: Full-Time ✅Location: Hybrid in Washington, DC metro area (i.e., some in-person work will be required) ✅Salary: $70,000 - 85,000 ✅Start Date: August 2025 ID: Dark blue text on a light blue background: "AAPD IS HIRING, Internship Program Manager, (hybrid, rolling basis with July 11 priority deadline)" with decorative elements around the heading, like a megaphone.

The House of Representatives just voted nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts into law. These cuts are a cruel, direct attack on the well-being and livelihoods of people with disabilities throughout the country. President Trump is expected to sign the bill as soon as tomorrow. We are outraged, heartbroken, and terrified. This is a devastating blow for the disability community. But, disabled people’s advocacy against this bill over the last few months proves our immense power. Disabled people aren’t backing down without a fight. We know this community will continue to show up for one another, as we always have, to survive what comes next and insist upon a future where we can thrive. These cuts are terrifying, but they don’t go into effect until December 2026. As we learn more, AAPD will provide resources about how to navigate changes in care, health coverage, and benefits in the months to come. Read our full statement: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/e3eQViEw Image descriptions in alt text and comments.