AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities
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aapd.com
AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities
@aapd.com
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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
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aapd.com
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/
ID: White text on a purple textured background that says: "I represented my community with grace. I did not slip up, I did not show weariness, I put on a brave face. I knew my place. I was often the first of many. I checked every box, and I was your token. But what happens when the boxes we are placed into no longer fit us? What happens when the token stops shining for you?" attributed to anonymous.
December 8, 2025 at 8:59 PM
aapd.com
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/
Nine diverse Fall 2025 interns posed in a grid layout against a blue background with AAPD branding below.
December 4, 2025 at 8:00 PM
aapd.com
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
Bold text on dark background stating 'The R-Word is a Slur'
December 3, 2025 at 9:00 PM
aapd.com
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
aapd.com
It’s #GivingTuesday! Your gift supports disability rights, expands access, and fuels leadership programs that open pathways to economic opportunity.

Make a Giving Tuesday gift: https://ow.ly/btJe50XAWqa

#AAPD #DisabilityCommunity #AccessForAll #REVUP
ID: An image about Giving Tuesday featuring disability activists at a rally to the right of text that says "Your donation to AAPD will support access across digital, civic, employment, and physical spaces"
December 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
aapd.com
Tomorrow, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act turns 50! AAPD's Policy Fellow, Angeth Mayen, wrote this powerful blog about how IDEA has impacted her educational journey and why protecting and expanding IDEA is so important.
November 28, 2025 at 8:04 PM
aapd.com
Lunch plans in DC? If you’re in or near Georgetown, DC, starting at noon, swing by Wells Fargo and get yourself some quarters featuring disability activist Stacey Park Milbern!
November 17, 2025 at 4:16 PM
aapd.com
In this new blog post, Emma writes about how the intersection of queerness and disability informs their approach to research.

Read their blog: https://www.aapd.com/queer-disability-history/
History is political because the lives of the people and communities I study are under continual threats that mirror what we have endured in the past.... Celebrating our history, especially when paired with action in the present, has the potential to buoy us through hard times.
October 24, 2025 at 4:40 PM
aapd.com
Disabled women are paid only 56 cents for every dollar paid to a nondisabled man. Ridiculous, right? That’s why today is the second-ever #DisabledWomensEqualPayDay. Join us in highlighting the barriers to equal pay and help us close the gap. Take action today! tinyurl.com/DWEPD25
Centered over a dark green background, capitalized top header text reads “Disabled Women’s Equal Pay Day 2025 October 23” in white and yellow letters. Below, white text reads “We’re still fighting for equal pay.” Centered at the bottom are four hand-drawn people. From left to right, there is a person sitting down facing left, a person standing wearing dark sunglasses and holding a cane, a person with a prosthetic leg standing and waving, and a person sitting in a wheelchair facing left. Centered over a dark green background, capitalized top header text reads “Disabled Women’s Equal Pay Day 2025 October 23” in white and yellow letters. Below are half of the logos of the coalition. Centered over a dark green background, capitalized top header text reads “Disabled Women’s Equal Pay Day 2025 October 23” in white and yellow letters. Below are half of the logos of the coalition.
October 23, 2025 at 6:16 PM
aapd.com
AAPD Is Turning 30! Our 30th Anniversary Gala is on Thursday, November 6, at 5:30 PM, at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, DC. This event is open to the disability community and our allies. Tickets can be purchased at this link - get yours today!

www.eventbrite.com/e/aapd-30th-...
AAPD 30th Anniversary Gala
Join AAPD’s 30th Anniversary Gala Nov 6 at the Waldorf Astoria DC honoring leaders, celebrating progress, and advancing disability rights!
www.eventbrite.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:09 PM
aapd.com
Tomorrow, October 21 at 5 PM ET is the application deadline for AAPD's 2026 Summer Internship Program! Remote and in-person internship placements in Washington DC are available to students and recent grads.

Learn more and apply: www.aapd.com/summer-inter...
Summer Internship Program - AAPD
AAPD is a national cross-disability civil rights organization that works to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities.
www.aapd.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:21 AM
aapd.com
Important Deadline Extension: Due to technical issues with SurveyMonkey caused by the Amazon Web Services outage, AAPD has extended the deadline for the Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Award applications by 24 hours, to Tuesday, October 21 at 5 PM ET!
October 20, 2025 at 7:02 PM
aapd.com
2026 Applications for the Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leaders Award close TOMORROW at 5 PM ET! Recipients receive $25,000 for leadership development and to advance a bold idea for people with disabilities.

Go to our website to apply and learn more: www.aapd.com/paul-g-hearn...
Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leaders Award - AAPD
The AAPD Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Awards recognizes outstanding emerging leaders with disabilities who exemplify leadership, advocacy, and dedication to the broader cross-disability community.
www.aapd.com
October 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
aapd.com
This Indigenous People’s Day, Emmett explains how the disability experience intersects with the Indigenous experience in this powerful piece. They wrote, “My body and history can’t be dissected from the land.”

Read it: https://www.aapd.com/disability-land-wahkotowin/
"The ongoing climate crisis shows us how warfare and environmental collapse are making us all more disabled. While this awareness is important, it is worth noting how for many Indigenous people, our bodies and the land can't be nicely separated."
October 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM
aapd.com
Last week, HHS Sec. Kennedy made false claims connecting acetaminophen (Tylenol) and autism. Marcy Hannah Waring is an autistic self-advocate, joining us on the blog to talk about all that has been happening. https://www.aapd.com/i-am-autistic-no-i-dont-want-a-cure/
Person with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a beige blazer and white shirt against a plain gray background with a quote "Stop conflating ASD treatments with ASD cures and preventions. You cannot honestly claim to love an autistic person while simultaneously wishing they weren't born the way they were."
October 5, 2025 at 1:32 PM
aapd.com
The Disability Project at the Transgender Law Center will be offering end of year emergency stipends for community. The brief application form will close on October 8th.
https://transgenderlawcenter-zixoe.formstack.com/forms/dp_emergency_stipend_initiative
October 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
aapd.com
Does $25,000 to advance a bold idea that would benefit the disability community sound cool to you? If it does, you should apply for AAPD’s Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leaders Award!

ASL interpreters and CART will be provided. Register https://ow.ly/a3kz50X3Nut
Register for the Paul G. Heanre Award Webinar.
September 29, 2025 at 4:39 PM
aapd.com
AAPD is proud to join this statement with leading autism orgs, calling for the government to make decisions based on quality science and compassion for the autism community. Autistic people deserve respect and support, not pseudoscience and stigma.

www.aapd.com/autism-group...
Leading Autism and Disability Organizations Call for Decision-Making Based on Quality Science and Compassion for the Autism Community - AAPD
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 24, 2025  Organizational Contacts: AAPD: Jess Davidson, [email protected]; 202-465-5528 AUCD: Lillie Heigl, [email protected] The Arc: [email protected] AS...
www.aapd.com
September 24, 2025 at 9:44 PM
aapd.com
Big news: AAPD is increasing the Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Awards amount to $25,000 per recipient! 2026 applications are now open. Learn more, read our press release about the award increase, & register for our webinar for applicants on 9/30 at 4 PM ET: www.aapd.com/paul-g-hearn...
Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leaders Award - AAPD
The AAPD Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Awards recognizes outstanding emerging leaders with disabilities who exemplify leadership, advocacy, and dedication to the broader cross-disability community.
www.aapd.com
September 19, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Reposted by AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities
disabilityvictory.bsky.social
September 8-12 is #DisabilityVotingRightsWeek, a nonpartisan movement started by @aapd.com.

Remember: every election matters, including the many local races taking place in 2025.

Check whether there are elections in your area this year at vote411.org and make a plan to vote!
A Black person, a white person, and three Asian people pose together smiling at the camera. They are all wearing REV UP t-shirts. Above them is the title “Every Election Your Vote Matters.” Below their photo is a text box that reads: Local politics shape our lives: state officials decide how Medicaid and Medicare work; city councils and city officials make decisions around transportation, housing, parks, policing and more; School boards decide program funding and education policies.” A banner at the bottom reads: Disability Voting Rights Week, aapd.com/disability-voting-rights-week.
September 11, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Reposted by AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities
aocchecklist.bsky.social
Disability Voting Rights Week: "This week is all about using your power, and we hope you'll join us to share information and lift up the advocacy of REV UP across the country.” #DVRW
aapd.com AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities @aapd.com · Sep 9
Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW) is here! This week is all about using your power, and we hope you'll join us to share information and lift up the advocacy of REV UP across the country. Access our DVRW toolkit at this link to get involved:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
2025 Disability Voting Rights Week
Fill out this form to get access to the Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW) Partner Toolkit! The toolkit includes social media graphics with image descriptions, messaging, event guidance, sample pres...
docs.google.com
September 9, 2025 at 12:48 AM
aapd.com
Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW) is here! This week is all about using your power, and we hope you'll join us to share information and lift up the advocacy of REV UP across the country. Access our DVRW toolkit at this link to get involved:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
2025 Disability Voting Rights Week
Fill out this form to get access to the Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW) Partner Toolkit! The toolkit includes social media graphics with image descriptions, messaging, event guidance, sample pres...
docs.google.com
September 9, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Reposted by AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities
verifiedvoting.org
In 2024, over 40 million eligible voters had disabilities, which is 1 in 6 of the electorate. Voters with disabilities are part of every community. Every vote matters. This #DisabilityVotingRightsWeek, learn how to support equal access: aapd.com/disability-voting-rights-week @aapd.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Reposted by AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities
meactnet.bsky.social
It is #DisabilityVotingRightsWeek! #MEAction is proud partner in this national, NONPARTISAN initiative to build the power and presence of the disability vote coordinated by @aapd.com.

We will be sharing info this week to help prepare our community to vote!

#DisabilityVote #pwME #disability
“Disabled voters are part of every community.” The background features a Black woman with gray hair and a mask in a wheelchair in front of a table preparing to vote. A banner at the bottom reads: Disability Voting Rights Week, aapd.com/disability-voting-rights-week.
September 8, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Reposted by AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities
ndrnadvocates.bsky.social
It’s Disability Voting Rights Week!

People with disabilities are a powerful voting bloc, but too often face barriers to the ballot. DVRW is about breaking down barriers, celebrating our community, and building power together. @aapd.com

www.aapd.com/disability-v...
The image features a red and blue design, with a blurry image of a woman holding a “VOTE” button that is in-focus as the background. The text reads: “It’s Disability Voting Rights Week!” The NDRN logo is also visible. Text at the top of the image asks: “What is Disability Voting Rights Week?” Body text explains: “Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW) is September 8–12. It’s a national, nonpartisan event led by the American Association of People with Disabilities and REV UP. DVRW is about standing up for the voting rights of people with disabilities, celebrating community, and building power together.” Text at the top reads: “Why Disability Voting Rights Week?” Body text explains: People with disabilities are a powerful part of the voting population - present in every community and political party. Yet, there are many barriers that make it hard for people with disabilities to vote. DVRW was created by people with disabilities to raise awareness, remove barriers, and make sure community needs are heard.
September 8, 2025 at 6:24 PM