University of Kansas Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies

05/22/2026

People with disabilities want to work — and contribute in meaningful ways.
KU researchers at KUCD - Kansas University Center on Disabilities and University of Kansas Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies are partnering with the state of Kansas to improve how systems connect individuals to jobs, helping more Kansans find employment that reflects their strengths and goals.
With new investment, this work is growing statewide.
👉 Learn more: https://loom.ly/bPtjM9A

05/21/2026

As part of Older Americans Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, NIDILRR has posted a collection of resources for Older Adults with Mental Health conditions.

This collection includes tools for promoting mental and physical health, self-directed recovery, and information on finding local behavioral health centers.

We’re celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month and Older Americans Month together by sharing consumer-focused resources from NIDILRR grantees to help older adults with mental health conditio…

05/19/2026

For 35 years, AgrAbility has helped farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers overcome barriers caused by injury, illness, aging, and disability — proving that with the right support and adaptive solutions, people can continue doing the work they love.

National AgrAbility is pleased to share our new publication: *Adapting. Not Quitting: 35 Years of AgrAbility.*

The report highlights:
🌱 The history and growth of the USDA AgrAbility Program
🌱 Stories of resilience and innovation from agricultural workers across the country
🌱 The impact of assistive technology and education
🌱 Statistics and milestones from 35 years of service
🌱 The partnerships that have helped cultivate independence in agriculture since 1991

The publication also includes inspiring client and staff stories — many with video links — that demonstrate the determination, creativity, and perseverance found throughout the agricultural community.

Download a PDF of the report or read the screen-reader friendly version here: [AgrAbility.org/35years](https://www.agrability.org/35years/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

05/13/2026

Are you a person who needs long-term services and supports who wants to live in your own home or community instead of institutions? Medicare seeks comments and feedback on the 2028 Medicaid Quality Measure Set: https://loom.ly/EvqZBT8

05/11/2026

Another urgent sign-on opportunity for Disability Researchers and Advocates from the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC).

DEADLINE: May 12, close of business day

This letter from DRRC asks Congress to fund the National Institutes of Health (NIH) so organizations like ours can keep working to improve the lives of people with disabilities across America.

Please consider signing on to the letter below requesting full funding for medical rehabilitation and disability-related research at the National Institutes of Health, particularly, the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) within the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute o...

05/11/2026

Urgent sign-on opportunity for Disability Researchers and Advocates from the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC).

DEADLINE: May 12, close of business day

IHPDS and many other disability research organizations are able to do our work through funding from NIDILRR - the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research.

This letter from DRRC asks Congress to fund NIDILRR so organizations like ours can keep working to improve the lives of people with disabilities across America.

Please consider signing on to the letter below requesting Congress to fund the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at $150 million in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bil...

05/07/2026

This National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has a valuable resource to help providers break down communication barriers! The new Communication Access Resource Hub provides a one-stop shop for providers to access tools and information to support efforts to ensure effective communication for all. Read more about it here: https://www.asha.org/communication-access/

05/05/2026

KU-IHDPS researchers collaborated with our partners at KUCD - Kansas University Center on Disabilities to study the impact of creating more opportunities for completive integrated employment for people with disabilities - resulting in 200 people employed across Kansas. Read more from KU News:

University of Kansas researchers have launched the second phase of the Kansas Employment First project, expanding access to competitive integrated employment for Kansans with disabilities.

04/29/2026

Disability advocates and researchers: please see this newly posted document from CMS regarding HCBS quality measures. There is a quick, 30-day, period for public comment.

Please share widely and provide feedback - this may be the last opportunity to weigh in for a while.

The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Quality Measure Set is a set of nationally standardized quality measures for Medicaid- funded HCBS that is intended to promote more common and consistent use within and across States of nationally standardized quality measures in HCBS programs, create...

04/28/2026

During our National Community Event, we're taking time to honor two extremely powerful disability community members who became ancestors within the last year. Alice Wong was a fierce believer in disability rights and justice. She dedicated her energy amplifying the voices and experiences of the disabled community. Among her many accomplishments, Alice was an AAPD Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Awardee. She used the Award funds to help build the Disability Visibility Project.

Bob Kafka was a long-time leader in ADAPT who was instrumental in the fight for accessible transportation and community integration. He was also the founder of REV UP, which stands for Register, Educate, Vote, Use your Power! Over the past 10 years, in part due to Bob's leadership and vision, REV UP has a presence in 48 states and is building the power of the disability vote.

We miss them dearly, and their impact on our community cannot be overstated.

Get tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-aapd-national-community-event-tickets-1982299255435

ID: Graphic showcasing out National Community Event honoring the memories of Alice Wong and Bob Kafka.

04/23/2026

This inaugural agenda "marks a pivotal step toward building a stronger, data-driven foundation for disability health equity ... at a time when rigorous research and reliable data are more important than ever to inform decisions, drive accountability, and advance equitable health outcomes." - Anjali Forber-Pratt

Read AAHD's Research Agenda: https://aahd.us/2026/03/research-agenda-launch/