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http://www.theaccessibilitynp.com/

The Accessibility NP, 313 E Broad Street, Richmond, VA (2025)

10/30/2025

For the disability community, insurance subsidies aren’t just about lowering premiums. They’re about survival, stability, and staying connected to the care that makes daily life possible.

Many disabled individuals rely on Affordable Care Act plans because they don’t qualify for full Medicaid or are waiting for SSI or SSDI approval. These subsidies make it possible to see specialists, access therapy, afford medications, and keep durable medical equipment in good repair. Without them, coverage gaps grow wider—and those gaps can be devastating.

Families caring for disabled loved ones also depend on these subsidies. Many have left full-time work to provide care and lost employer insurance in the process. Subsidies make private coverage affordable again, often preventing families from falling through the cracks.

They also protect independence. When disabled adults can work part-time or run small businesses without losing affordable coverage, that’s real inclusion in action.

So while it may sound like a “budget debate” in Washington, what’s really at stake is whether disabled people and their families can keep the medical care, therapies, and supports they depend on. Because access to health care should never come down to politics—it’s about people, and it’s about dignity.

The government shutdown isn’t just a policy standoff—it’s a real threat to access and equity. For many in the disability community, it’s about whether life-sustaining care continues uninterrupted. Access delayed is access denied, and no one should have to fight for the right to stay healthy.

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10/30/2025

The time change is coming this weekend, and while most people are excited about “falling back” and gaining an extra hour of sleep, that single hour can mean something entirely different for many in the disability community.

When routines are the foundation of your day, even a small shift can feel big. Our bodies and minds rely on rhythm—wake times, meals, medications, sensory regulation, and bedtime routines that keep things balanced. That extra hour can throw everything off for days, sometimes weeks. For some, it might look like increased fatigue or agitation. For others, it’s harder mornings, restless nights, or emotions that just feel heavier.

If you’re a caregiver, you might already be planning ahead—adjusting sleep times, dimming lights earlier, or adding calm transitions to help ease the change. Those small steps matter. They build comfort, not chaos.

So as we fall back, remember—this isn’t just about clocks. It’s about bodies, rhythms, and the grace it takes to recalibrate. Take things slow. Keep your expectations soft. And know that it’s okay if your week feels a little off while everyone adjusts.

Here’s to gentleness, patience, and the reminder that rest is productive too.

10/28/2025

Critical thinking isn’t just an academic skill—it’s a lifeline. It challenges us to pause before accepting what’s presented, to ask why systems function the way they do, and to consider who benefits and who is left behind.

In the disability community, critical thinking is more than curiosity—it’s survival. It’s what drives a parent to question an IEP that looks compliant but doesn’t create real access. It’s what pushes advocates to ask why accessibility is often treated as an afterthought instead of the standard. It’s what fuels disabled professionals to demand not just a seat at the table, but the power to shape the table itself.

In today’s America, disability is still framed through politics, policy, and perception. Critical thinking cuts through that noise—it reveals the ways ableism hides in “good intentions” and how token gestures are mistaken for progress. It reminds us that inclusion without accountability is just a slogan.

When we stop thinking critically, bias wins. Systems stay broken. But when we question, analyze, and reimagine, accessibility becomes more than compliance—it becomes community.

True inclusion grows from the willingness to think deeply, challenge comfort, and rebuild what was never designed with disabled people in mind. Accessibility begins in the mind, but it’s sustained through action.

10/27/2025

This quote reflects where our country is today. Across the nation, discussions about healthcare, education, and civil rights are shaping the future of disabled individuals and their families. Policies being debated in state and federal spaces directly impact access to support services, inclusive education, Medicaid waivers, and voting rights. These decisions determine whether people can live in their communities, receive the care they need, and fully participate in society.

Disabled Americans deserve stability, funding, and protections that are consistent—no matter who is in office. When budgets are cut, programs stall, or rights are questioned, it creates barriers that make everyday life harder for millions of families. The tragedy isn’t disability. The tragedy is when systems are built without disabled voices and when access becomes negotiable instead of guaranteed.

Judy Heumann taught us that change is possible, but it requires awareness, advocacy, and a commitment to equity. As conversations continue across the country, my hope is that our leaders prioritize inclusion, protect the progress that has been made, and create policies that honor the dignity and autonomy of disabled individuals.

Access is a right. Inclusion is a responsibility. And a society that removes barriers is a society where everyone can thrive.

10/20/2025

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and I want to be very clear — dyslexia is more than reading. It affects spelling, writing, working memory, processing, organization, and the pace at which information connects and makes sense. It shows up in school, at work, and in everyday moments that most people never even think about.

I’m dyslexic. That doesn’t mean I’m incapable. It doesn’t mean I’m not paying attention. It means the way I absorb, access, and express information isn’t always supported by traditional systems. I’ve had to work harder than most, not because I lack intelligence or ability, but because the world isn’t built with dyslexia in mind.

This month isn’t just about saying “reading is hard.” It’s about real understanding — the kind that recognizes the invisible effort, the extra steps, the processing fatigue, and the constant problem-solving that dyslexic individuals navigate every single day.

Dyslexia doesn’t make me less. It makes me dyslexic. And that identity deserves respect, support, and access — not stigma, pity, or lowered expectations.

Here’s to deeper awareness, meaningful accommodations, and systems that support how dyslexic individuals learn and communicate. Because when we remove barriers, we don’t just change outcomes — we change lives. 💙

10/19/2025

Have you seen Carl the Collector on PBS Kids? It’s one of the first children’s shows with an autistic lead character—and honestly, it’s such a breath of fresh air. Instead of pushing a narrative that students need to “fit in,” it shows a world where different ways of communicating, learning, and processing are simply part of the community.

Carl is a young raccoon who loves collecting treasures—stickers, bottle caps, tiny objects that make him light up. He has routines, big feelings, and moments where the world is too much. He also has joy, curiosity, real friendships, and a voice that matters. That balance is powerful. It doesn’t flatten autism into a stereotype. It reflects the real lived experiences of so many disabled kids and their families.

What I love most is how the show normalizes support. Noise is too loud? Someone offers headphones. A routine changes? Friends help Carl navigate it. No shame. No “fixing.” Just understanding, compassion, and practical tools.

Representation like this matters. Kids who are autistic deserve to be seen—not as side characters or teaching moments, but as the center of the story. Carl shows young viewers that inclusion isn’t an exception. It’s the standard. And for parents, educators, and caregivers, it’s a reminder that every child’s way of moving through the world is valid.

More of this, please. More voices. More stories. More authentic representation on our screens, in our classrooms, and in our communities.

Have you watched it yet? What did you think?

10/12/2025

Early intervention isn’t just about meeting developmental goals—it’s about connection. For children with Down syndrome, early therapy builds the foundation for communication, movement, and self-help skills that lead to independence later in life. Speech therapy may start with simple imitation or sound play and grow into meaningful expression. Occupational and physical therapies strengthen coordination, balance, and fine motor skills that support daily living. Each small step builds toward a greater sense of autonomy.

Inclusion takes those learned skills and places them where they belong—in real environments. When children with Down syndrome learn and play alongside their peers, they’re gaining so much more than academics. They’re building friendships, learning social cues, and developing confidence. Inclusion helps shape a world where everyone belongs and every child has equal access to participate.

Some individuals with Down syndrome also have co-occurring conditions like autism or ADHD. Recognizing these early helps ensure that supports are individualized and effective rather than reactive. Early, intentional strategies allow growth to continue in ways that fit each child’s strengths.

True awareness means seeing potential, not limitations. Early intervention opens the door, and inclusion keeps it open. Every opportunity to communicate, to engage, and to belong helps children with Down syndrome build the confidence and independence they carry for life.

10/11/2025

Let’s talk about something most people don’t even realize still exists — subminimum wage.

Since the 1930s, a section of the Fair Labor Standards Act has allowed certain employers to apply for special certificates letting them pay disabled workers less than the federal minimum wage.

And when we say less, we’re not talking about a few dollars short. Many disabled workers earn just $2 to $4 an hour, and some have been paid even less — sometimes just cents per hour. The law doesn’t set a floor.

It’s often described as “training” or “opportunity,” but in practice, it’s a system that’s kept thousands of disabled individuals from earning fair pay for real work — sorting, cleaning, packaging, cooking — while being told their time is worth less.

Earlier this year, the Department of Labor proposed ending that system and moving toward equal pay. But in July, that proposal was withdrawn. So the subminimum wage structure still stands.

At the same time, the DOL paused enforcement of wage and overtime protections for home health aides — the workers who care for disabled individuals, seniors, and families every single day. Most are women, many are people of color, and most already live close to poverty.

When both disabled workers and the people who support them are undervalued, the impact ripples far beyond paychecks. It affects independence, stability, and how our society defines worth. Equal work deserves equal value — for everyone.

Sources: U.S. Department of Labor (2025), U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (2020), U.S. Government Accountability Office (2022), The Washington Post (2025), Economic Policy Institute (2025).

10/09/2025

Today, during a cabinet meeting, the Secretary of Health and Human Services made a claim that’s already making headlines—and it’s troubling.

He said that children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism and suggested it might be because babies are given Tylenol afterward.

That statement isn’t backed by science. It came from one small 2015 study out of Denmark that looked at a large group of boys and found a statistical link, not a cause. The researchers themselves said they didn’t know why the numbers looked that way and that more studies were needed.

But when someone in power skips straight to blame, it spreads fear. Parents start to wonder if they did something wrong. Disabled kids end up being talked about like something went wrong. And that’s not okay.

There’s no proof that Tylenol causes autism.
There’s no proof that circumcision causes autism.
None.

Autism isn’t caused by a medication or a medical procedure. It’s part of human diversity—a different way of thinking, communicating, and experiencing the world.

Misinformation like this hurts real families and distracts from what actually matters: acceptance, inclusion, and access.

So before you share a headline, pause. Ask who it helps—and who it harms. Because facts matter. And so do the people living these realities every day.

🗒️Source: Frisch M, Simonsen J. Ritual circumcision and risk of autism spectrum disorder in 0- to 9-year-old boys: national cohort study in Denmark. J R Soc Med. 2015;108(7):266-279. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25573114

10/07/2025

Most people don’t realize this—but in December 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation, under the Biden administration, finalized a rule to protect passengers who use wheelchairs when flying. It was part of an update to the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights, and it was meant to make air travel safer, fairer, and more accountable.

For the first time, airlines would be presumed responsible if a wheelchair was lost, delayed, or damaged. They’d have to reimburse passengers for repairs or replacements and inform travelers in writing of their rights when checking mobility devices. It was one of the most significant advancements in air travel accessibility in over a decade.

Then came the reversal.

In September 2025, the current U.S. Department of Transportation announced it will not enforce the major parts of that rule after airline industry pushback and legal challenges. They plan to “rewrite” sections of it—which means, for now, those long-awaited protections are on hold.

For families like ours, this isn’t abstract policy—it’s personal. Every time we fly with Ella, we watch her wheelchair disappear down the ramp and hold our breath until it’s returned. Her chair isn’t luggage—it’s her independence, her access, her freedom. If it’s lost or damaged, the impact lasts long after the flight.

Airlines mishandle thousands of wheelchairs every year. Behind every number is a person—someone stranded, injured, or waiting days for what makes life possible.

Access to travel shouldn’t depend on luck or privilege. It should be safe, fair, and equitable—for everyone.

✈️💚

10/06/2025

Today we honor the strength, spirit, and brilliance of individuals living with Cerebral Palsy—like our daughter, who continues to show us what determination truly looks like.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood. It’s a lifelong neurological condition that affects movement, posture, and muscle coordination, caused by differences or injuries in the developing brain before, during, or shortly after birth. CP affects each person differently—some experience subtle challenges with balance or fine motor skills, while others may use mobility aids for support.

For many, CP exists alongside other neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, influencing communication, sensory regulation, and motor planning in unique ways. These overlapping experiences can make daily life more complex—but they also show how beautifully connected our brains and bodies truly are.

Our daughter lives at that intersection—navigating both Cerebral Palsy and autism with courage and light. Each day, she reminds us that progress doesn’t have to look the same for everyone, and that access, understanding, and patience open doors to independence and joy.

To all the families and individuals walking this path—you’re seen, you’re valued, and your story matters. 💚

(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024)

10/05/2025

As the leaves turn, may we keep turning toward inclusion—creating spaces that say, you belong here too.

The Accessibility NP

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Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm