AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities
aapd.com
AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities
@aapd.com
AAPD works to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities and advocates for full civil rights for over 70 million Americans with disabilities. We are a national cross-disability and nonpartisan organization. Get involved: aapd.com
Our incredibly talented friend @lachimusic.bsky.social's book, I Identify As Blind is out now! Come to her book signing where she'll be in conversation with AAPD Pres. and CEO Maria Town this Friday, 2/6 at 7 PM at Politics and Prose's Connecticut Ave NW locations. More info + livestream link:
I Identify as Blind: A Brazen Celebration of Disability Culture, Identity, and Power
With style and straight talk, musician and changemaker Lachi flips disability and neurodivergence into an empowering identity, a cultural movement, and an innovation engineWhat if the most taboo parts of our identity—the parts we’re taught to mask—are exactly the ones that hold our greatest power? Lachi is an award-winning singer and leader who awakens the world to this truth: Disability has long shaped our culture and is an identity worth brazenly reclaiming. In this book, Lachi reveals why dropping the stigma is the ultimate glow-up, and inspires readers to celebrate the boldest parts of themselves.I Identify as Blind pulses with energy. Through magnetic storytelling and pop-culture deep dives, Lachi challenges mainstream views on disability and neurodivergence with humor and heart. Because visionaries with disabilities have always driven progress. The book features trailblazing figures like Senator Tammy Duckworth, Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte, Microsoft executive Jenny Lay-Flurrie, and so many more. Lachi even takes readers behind the scenes at Coldplay concerts, since after Chris Martin developed tinnitus, he transformed his concerts into some of the most accessible in the world. Each story reframes disability not as a deficit but as a wellspring of collective strength. And inventions created for people with disabilities benefit everyone—from audiobooks to curb cuts to the internet. (Vint Cerf helped develop the first commercial email service, because he had trouble communicating by phone.)With punchy humor and radical honesty, Lachi dismantles stereotypes and builds a new narrative of Disability identity. I Identify as Blind is just what the world needs right now: an invitation to a cultural movement that celebrates disabilities as a source of power and pride.Come for the laughs, stay for the mic drops.
politics-prose.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:11 PM
In their new blog, Melina List, w relies on paratransit for their transportation, learned the importance of interdependence and reconsidered their relationship with the concept of time. Read their blog: https://www.aapd.com/paratransit-passenger-princess/
February 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM
There is still time to apply to join our 2026 Fall Internship Program! Read below to learn more. Applications close on Thursday, February 5th, at 5:00 PM ET. Apply today https://www.aapd.com/fall-internship-program/
February 2, 2026 at 8:22 PM
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
The bottom line is: the EEOC is rushing through a change that would harm people with disabilities and make it harder to enforce our civil rights in the workplace. We hope the EEOC will change course and listen to the public before making this harmful change.
January 22, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Reposted by AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities
“Our workplaces should be about us, not against us” @aapd.com President Maria Town on why the EEOC rescinding workplace harassment guidance will harm disabled workers
January 22, 2026 at 2:34 PM
We’re thrilled to announce that the 2026 REV UP Movement Grant application is now open! These grants support projects that increase civic engagement in the disability community. Apply at: https://forms.gle/FsdgtLSarSbW33nGA
January 21, 2026 at 4:02 PM
We are thrilled to announce the recipients of AAPD's 2026 Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Awards. Please join us in congratulating Katie Drackert and Brittanie Hernandez-Wilson.
January 20, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Verizon is currently down nationwide, which is impacting some user’s ability to call 911. In an emergency, call 911 from another device if you are able. This is an ongoing situation. Check this website for updates: https://www.techradar.com/news/live/verizon-outage-january-2026
Verizon is down, with many users seeing 'SOS' – here's everything we know about this outage
Seemingly 'SOS' is replacing network bars
www.techradar.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Our first REV UP National Call of 2026 is tomorrow! We're kicking off the year talking about trends, threats, and opportunities for voting rights. Join us tomorrow, January 14 from 1-3 PM ET. ASL and CART are provided. Register: https://www.mobilize.us/rev-up-aapd/event/877249/
January 13, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Recent immigration actions harm disabled immigrants and people with disabilities. How? Summer Internship Program alum Rachel Litchman writes about how people like her rely on home- and community-based services (HCBS). https://ow.ly/1F2c50XW9xX
January 13, 2026 at 2:59 PM
HHS has officially reduced its recommended number of vaccines for children from 17 vaccines to 11. HHS’ decision puts children in danger, especially children with disabilities or immunocompromising conditions. Vaccines save lives. It's that simple!
January 6, 2026 at 3:12 PM
2025 was a difficult year for the disability community. But our community has proven our power in our collective advocacy, and this strength will carry us into the new year. We hope that 2026 brings you joy and delight. Have a happy new year!
January 1, 2026 at 2:01 PM
As 2025 comes to a close, we are reflecting on the community that makes AAPD’s work possible.

Your support powers our internships, leadership development, accessible democracy work, policy advocacy, and so much more.

If you are able to contribute, consider a year-end gift to AAPD: aapd.com/give
December 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM
it's trueeee 💜

ID: Bold white text on blue background reads 'The disability community is stronger together'
December 26, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Your year-end gift supports disabled leaders, strengthens disability rights, and expands access in digital, civic, employment, and physical spaces.

Give today: aapd.com/give

Thank you for supporting disability advocacy and leadership.
December 22, 2025 at 6:01 PM
December 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
As 2025 wraps up, AAPD President and CEO Maria Town wrote a blog post reflecting on how AAPD met the challenges of the year and how we will continue to build disability power in the year ahead. 💜 👉 https://www.aapd.com/powered-by-community-how-aapd-showed-up-built-together-and-looks-ahead/
December 19, 2025 at 8:29 PM
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/
December 18, 2025 at 6:27 PM
The 2026 AAPD Fall Internship Program Application is now open. Applications are due February 5, 2026 at 5:00 pm ET. Apply today at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FIP26
December 16, 2025 at 3:16 PM
We’re excited to share a new report: Building Disability Economic Power Through AAPD’s Internship Program! The report includes our key findings and what changes we’ve made since then. The results are incredible.

ID: New Report: Disability Economic Power & AAPD Internships
December 10, 2025 at 7:05 PM
This blogger described the intersection between her racial identity and mental health journey. She wrote about how she does not want to be a token high-achieving Black woman anymore. Read the whole piece at: https://www.aapd.com/my-token-is-done-shining-for-you/
December 8, 2025 at 8:59 PM
In a few weeks, we’re saying goodbye to our Fall 2025 interns. We’re grateful to have worked with this amazing cohort and can’t wait to see what they’ll do next! 👋 🎉

Read more about each of them: https://www.aapd.com/meet-the-fall-2025-interns/
December 4, 2025 at 8:00 PM
U really shouldn't use it (yes even if ur the President)

ID: Bold text on a dark blue background that says "The R-Word Is A Slur". Slur is written in a fancy cursive typeface
December 3, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities & this year's theme is "Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress". What does that actually look like? A world where disabled people can live full lives. This is what we fight for every day. We hope you'll join us.
December 3, 2025 at 4:01 PM