Institute on Disability Awareness at Niagara University

06/18/2025

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools that disability discrimination claims in education must follow the same legal standard as other settings. This means students like Ava Tharpe, who was denied full school hours due to epilepsy, can now seek justice without facing extra legal hurdles.

Why it matters: Schools must meet the same “deliberate indifference” standard, making it easier for families to pursue fair treatment. This is a major win for disability rights and equitable education nationwide. ⚖️

Learn more: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/06/13/supreme-court-makes-it-easier-for-students-with-disabilities-to-sue-schools/31493/

In a ruling with broad implications, the Supreme Court said unanimously that claims of disability discrimination at schools shouldn't be held to a higher standard than those originating from other settings.

06/17/2025

New York’s National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network (NEON) initiative is opening doors for people with disabilities by connecting job seekers with supportive employers and sustainable career opportunities. This innovative approach is helping to break down barriers and build a more inclusive workforce across the state.

Read more about the impact: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2024/12/20/disability-employment-new-york-neon-initiative

As a NEON core state, New York is advancing competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities.

06/13/2025

Creating a more inclusive world begins with understanding. Disability Awareness Training 101 is your starting point for building empathy, equity, and inclusion. Join us to learn, reflect, and take action.

🔗 Register now: https://ida.niagara.edu/foundation-course/

The Foundation course will present fundamental techniques and practical applications utilizing an appropriate level of sensitivity that everyone needs to

06/12/2025

June is designated as Dravet Syndrome Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about this rare, lifelong form of epilepsy that begins in infancy. The goal is to improve early diagnosis, provide families with resources, reduce isolation, and build a more informed and supportive community.

Learn more: https://dravetfoundation.org/

Community. Research. Progress.

06/10/2025

A recent CBS News investigation reveals a disturbing gap in school safety: many U.S. schools are not fully including students with disabilities in their emergency preparedness plans. Families and advocates are speaking out, demanding change, and calling for inclusive, individualized safety plans for every student.

📖 Read the full story: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/school-emergency-plans-students-disabilities/

From fires to tornadoes to potential violence inside schools, millions of public school children with disabilities fear they will be left behind in emergency situations.

06/06/2025

A new report from the Ruderman Family Foundation and the Geena Davis Institute finds that only 21% of TV characters with disabilities were played by actors with similar conditions (2016–2023).

Meanwhile, people with disabilities make up 25% of the U.S. population but represented just 3.9% of TV characters.

It’s time for change:
✅ Authentic casting
✅ Inclusive storytelling
✅ Accessible sets

Disabled voices belong both on screen and behind the scenes.

Read more: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/06/06/most-tv-characters-with-disabilities-played-by-those-without/31481/

The vast majority of characters with disabilities on television are played by typically developing actors, according to a new report, which finds little has changed in the last decade.

06/05/2025

Change starts with awareness. Disability Awareness Training 101 is your first step toward creating a more inclusive and equitable world. Learn, reflect, and grow with us.

🔗 Register today: https://ida.niagara.edu/foundation-course/

The Foundation course will present fundamental techniques and practical applications utilizing an appropriate level of sensitivity that everyone needs to

06/03/2025

The Arc of Monroe recently hosted a voting accessibility tour to help people with disabilities prepare for local primaries. Attendees tried new accessible voting machines, registered to vote, and got IDs through a mobile DMV. With features like larger fonts and language options, the goal is to ensure every voter can cast their ballot confidently and independently.

Read more: https://www.whec.com/top-news/arc-of-monroe-hosts-voting-accessibility-tour-to-help-voters-with-disabilities/

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Arc of Monroe held an accessibility tour Monday to help voters with disabilities prepare for the upcoming local primary elections at the end of the month. Participants practiced using new electronic voting machines and had the opportunity to register to vote.Assembly Member J...

05/30/2025

Despite 1 in 4 Americans living with a disability, medical education continues to fall short. Only half of U.S. medical schools include disability training.

According to the CDC, 25% of people with disabilities report facing barriers to care. A 2021 survey found:

➡️ Only 40% of physicians feel confident treating disabled patients

➡️ Just 56% strongly welcome them into their practice

🔗 Learn more: https://www.ameridisability.com/from-diagnosis-to-advocacy-how-medical-students-are-changing-disability-care/

During her initial year at Harvard Medical School, MD student Lilly Montesano Scheibe was diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy, a neurological disorder causing extreme daytime drowsiness and sudden muscle weakness. The diagnosing physician advised Montesano Scheibe, a medical student, to researc...

05/29/2025

Apple has announced a suite of innovative accessibility features set to launch later this year, aiming to enhance digital accessibility for users with disabilities.

🔍 Accessibility Labels on App Store apps
🖥️ Magnifier app coming to Mac
📘 Reader Mode for easier on-screen reading
🧠 Brain-Computer Interface support via Switch Control
🎧 Live Captions on Apple Watch

Learn more: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/05/apple-unveils-powerful-accessibility-features-coming-later-this-year/ #:~:text=CUPERTINO%2C%20CALIFORNIA%20Apple%20today%20announced,accessibility%20across%20the%20Apple%20ecosystem.

05/27/2025

Want to make a real impact? Start with Disability Awareness Training 101! 🙌 This intro course is all about changing the way we think about disability, inclusion, and equity.

Learn. Grow. Make a difference.

🔗 Register here: https://ida.niagara.edu/foundation-course/

The Foundation course will present fundamental techniques and practical applications utilizing an appropriate level of sensitivity that everyone needs to

05/23/2025

A Chicago-based creative agency, in partnership with the Chicago Hearing Society, has launched "Caption with Intention" — a groundbreaking new system that goes beyond just words.

Designed with the Deaf and hard of hearing community, this new approach uses animation, color, and speaker ID to convey not just what’s being said, but how it’s being said — capturing tone, emotion, and pacing.

And the best part? It’s free and available now for studios, creators, and technologists.

🔗 Learn more: https://reelchicago.com/article/new-caption-accessibility-system-redefines-how-deaf-audiences-experience-movies/

FCB Chicago, Chicago Hearing Society, and Rakish set new industry standard with “Caption with Intention” accessibility initiative.