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Minnesota's Disability Community News Source
KNSI offers holiday caregiving tips for families with loved ones who have #dementia, including planning ahead, adjusting expectations, limiting group noise, improving lighting safety, and using familiar holiday music. Source: #KNSI

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Preparing for the Holidays: Advice for Families Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia
(KNSI) - While the holiday season can be particularly challenging for families caring for loved ones with deme...
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December 19, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Disability touches every family, and #AccessPress has been telling those stories since 1990. Through Dec 31, #NewsMatch will match your one-time donation up to $1,000 and match new monthly gifts for a full year up to the same amount.

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December 18, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Stay informed with Access Press, Minnesota's go-to source for disability-related news, events, and resources. Subscribe today to stay connected.

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Both online and print subscriptions are now free — because money should never stand in the way of access to […]
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December 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
#Flu hospitalizations in #Minnesota have climbed sharply this season, with data showing about 70 cases last week, up from 15 a year earlier. At the same time, flu vaccination rates remain low in St. Cloud. Source: #StCloudTimes

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#AccessPress #PublicHealth #Vaccines
Minnesota flu hospitalizations skyrocket, St. Cloud vaccination rate low
Flu Hospitalizations are up in Minnesota, compared to the same period last year. St. Cloud's flu vaccination rate is low compared to other cities.
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December 18, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Support for the #ACA is at its highest point. KFF finds nearly 2 in 3 U.S. adults now view the ACA favorably. Public opinion has shifted over time, but partisan divides remain. What’s behind the change? Source: #KFF

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#AccessPress #Obamacare #HealthcareAccess
KFF Health Tracking Poll: The Public’s Views on the ACA | KFF
This interactive chart allows users to track public opinion on the Affordable Care Act, from the inception of the law to the present, for subgroups based on age, race, income, gender, party identification and insurance status.
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December 17, 2025 at 11:03 PM
#SouthDakota community support providers serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities rely entirely on #Medicaid and are covering gaps in care that state budgets leave unfilled. Source: #TheDakotaScout

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#AccessPress
VIEWPOINT | When South Dakota falls short, CSPs fill the gap — and foot the bill
Guest column by Dan Cross
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December 17, 2025 at 9:02 PM
#CDC data show that the 2024–25 #COVID19 #vaccines were 76% effective in preventing ER/urgent care visits among kids 9 mo–4 yrs and 56% among ages 5–17, compared with unvaccinated children. Source: #CDC

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#AccessPress
Effectiveness of 2024–2025 COVID-19 Vaccines in Children...
This report describes COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness among children ages 9 months to 17 years.
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December 17, 2025 at 6:02 PM
In Sioux Falls, a “Signing Santa” used American Sign Language to meet deaf and hard‑of‑hearing children, offering photos, crafts, and shared holiday moments. Source: #DakotaNewsNow

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#AccessPress #SouthDakota #ASL
Santa meets deaf or hard of hearing children using American Sign Language
Of all the appearances Santa will make before a trip around he world on Christmas Eve, this one was unique.
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December 17, 2025 at 2:02 PM
#Dateability, a #datingapp for disabled and chronically ill people, is expanding its user base and spotlighting connections from members who say they finally feel understood and accepted. Source: #APNews

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#AccessPress
A unique app is changing the dating game for disabled and chronically ill people
A unique app is changing the dating game for disabled and chronically ill people. Dateability was created by sisters Jacqueline and Alexa Child. It was inspired by Jacqueline's own experiences
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December 17, 2025 at 12:02 AM
#Minnesota hospitals are losing millions, insurance rates are rising, and care options are shrinking statewide. Patients and providers are both under pressure. What happens if this trend continues? Source: #HometownSource

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#AccessPress #HealthCareCrisis
Minnesota’s health care crisis deepens
Recent headlines tell a story greater Minnesota already knows too well: our health care system is in trouble, and the strain is growing.
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December 16, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Milwaukee Public Schools will launch a districtwide special education audit in March to assess how well it serves students with disabilities. Source: #MilwaukeeNeighborhoodNewsService

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#AccessPress #Wisconsin #Education
MPS plans audit to look at how it serves students with disabilities
Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius is gearing up for a districtwide special education audit. 
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December 16, 2025 at 6:02 PM
While not all gifts are helpful, this list gets it right. 20 useful, non-medical ideas for disabled and chronically ill folks. What would you add? Source: #TBQTalks

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#AccessPress #InclusiveGifts
20 Unique and Useful Gifts for Your Disabled and Chronically Ill Loved Ones
Gift ideas that will surprise and delight your loved ones dealing with disability or chronic illness - from someone who knows!
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December 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
North Dakota Protection & Advocacy marked the 50th anniversary of #IDEA, highlighting how the law expanded education access for students with disabilities and cautioning against federal proposed cuts. Source: #WahpetonDailyNews

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#AccessPress #NorthDakota
North Dakota Protection & Advocacy highlights 50 years of IDEA, warns of federal threats
As the nation marks the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the North Dakota Protection and Advocacy Project is recognizing the law’s impact while warning of
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December 16, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Every donation to Access Press is matched until Dec. 31. Double your impact and support disability-centered journalism in Minnesota before the deadline.

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December 15, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Sunset Terrace Elementary in Rochester celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a Unified Breakfast, pairing students with and without cognitive disabilities through shared activities. Source: #KTTC

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#AccessPress
Celebrating inclusion at Sunset Terrace Elementary School
Sunset Terrace Elementary School in Rochester hosted a Unified Breakfast Thursday as part of Inclusive Schools Week.
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December 15, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Native groups in #Minnesota are expanding programs to protect unhoused women, addressing high #homelessness rates and dangers like trafficking. Source: #SahanJournal

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MN Native groups expand efforts to protect unhoused women - MinnPost
The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center is working to provide culturally grounded services, including housing, when need is growing.
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December 15, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Nurses in New York held a virtual town hall to warn that major federal cuts to #Medicaid and #healthcare could reduce hospital services, pediatric care, and coverage for millions. Source: #WWNYTV

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#AccessPress
Nurses are sounding the alarm over healthcare cuts
Nurses are starting to sound the alarm over healthcare cuts in a virtual town hall meeting on Wednesday night.
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December 15, 2025 at 12:02 AM
An autistic artist with limited verbal communication has won one of the UK’s top art awards. Nnena Kalu, 59, is the first artist with a learning disability to receive the Turner Prize. Source: #DisabilityScoop

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#AccessPress #TurnerPrize #Autism
Acclaimed Prize Goes To Artist With Autism, Limited Verbal Communication
One of the most prestigious contemporary art awards in the world is for the first time going to an artist with a developmental disability.
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December 14, 2025 at 9:02 PM
A new study shows PT5B neurons may cause exaggerated beta waves in the motor cortex, disrupting movement and contributing to motor problems. Source: #ParkinsonsNewsToday

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#AccessPress #Neuroscience
Brain ‘short circuit’ behind Parkinson’s motor issues: Simulation
A supercomputer simulation reveals how dysfunctional neurons, known as PT5B, can lead to movement problems in Parkinson’s disease.
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December 14, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Congressional lawmakers are calling for a crackdown on unaccredited “claim shark” companies that charge disabled #veterans illegal fees for help with VA disability benefit claims and may misuse private data. Source: #NPR

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#AccessPress
Congress calls for a crackdown on companies charging disabled vets
Congress is calling for action in response to reporting last week from NPR that "claim shark" companies are using aggressive tactics to make millions off of veterans, despite warnings from VA's that it may be illegal.
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December 14, 2025 at 2:02 PM
#Minnesota Gov. #Walz issued an executive order directing the MDVA to coordinate a statewide Veteran Food Pantry Network to expand food access for veterans, service members, and families. Source: #KSTP

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#AccessPress
Gov. Walz issues executive order to create Minnesota food pantry network for veterans
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has issued an executive order directing the Department of Veteran Affairs to create a statewide Veteran Food Pantry Network to support veterans, service members and their families.
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December 14, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Federal filings show that some #HeadStart programs were told to avoid terms such as “disability,” “women,” and “minority” in funding requests. Source: #NPR

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#AccessPress #Education #FederalFunding #EarlyChildhood
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.
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December 14, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Proposed federal funding changes from #HUD would sharply reduce permanent housing support for people experiencing #homelessness, forcing shelters in #Wisconsin to rely more on short‑term services. Source: #WPR

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#AccessPress
Wisconsin shelters could be hit by proposed cuts to federal funding for homeless housing
The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced steep changes to federal funding for homeless assistance programs last month, cutting support for permanent housing programs by more than half. Milwaukee advocates say the changes risk putting people on the street.
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December 13, 2025 at 9:02 PM
#UnitedAirlines is expanding its disability employment efforts with a #SpecialOlympics collaboration to hire more individuals with disabilities for customer service roles at major airports. Source: #DisabilityScoop

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#AccessPress #Inclusion #Employment
United Airlines To Expand Disability Employment Effort
Through an industry first collaboration with Special Olympics, plans are underway for United Airlines to hire more individuals with disabilities at major airports across the country.
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December 13, 2025 at 6:02 PM