American Association of People with Disabilities

04/14/2026

We're hiring for two temporary positions! One is remote, and one is in-person. Both roles will assist AAPD in reaching people for a needs assessment that will inform the creation of a new program. This is a great opportunity to help our organization reach the disability community in new ways.

The Outreach Canvassers are temporary, part-time roles as an independent contractor from May - August 2026. We will hire up to 20 canvassers across the United States. The application has a priority deadline of May 1.

AAPD is looking for advocates and organizers who want to be part of the work of our needs assessment team! Outreach canvassers will support AAPD in disseminating a survey to help inform the creation of a new program. We will hire up to 20 canvassers across the United States. Canvassers will work for 15-20 hours, including in-person canvassing and preparation tasks. In-person canvassing will take place primarily during the first three weeks of the survey promotion. Outreach Canvassers are paid $25/hours.

The Focus Group Facilitators are temporary, part-time, remote roles from June - September 2026. We will hire up to 5 focus group facilitators. The application has a priority deadline of May 8.

Community focus group facilitators will support AAPD in conducting focus groups to help inform the creation of a new program at AAPD. The new program is for people with different health conditions, disabilities, and aging or changing bodies/minds. Specifically, we want to reach people who AAPD hasn’t typically engaged in the past, including people who might not identify as disabled but have long-term conditions that impact them. Focus group facilitators are paid $3000-$3500, depending on how many groups they facilitate.

Head to the link in our bio to learn more and apply!

Head to this link to learn more and apply: https://ats.rippling.com/aapd-jobs/jobs

ID: Two teal graphics list the roles and share the information highlighted in the caption.

04/13/2026

You like us, you really like us! AAPD received a Webby award nomination for our Protect Medicaid! campaign last summer. Please vote for us by April 16! https://ow.ly/qliw50YIsw8

ID: Stylized graphic showcasing our entry for the Webby's on a laptop screen. In large, all uppercase text above the laptop are the words "VOTE FOR US".

04/10/2026

Tony Coelho Media Scholarship alum Cassidy Huff wrote a blog about the importance of disability representation in the film industry. During a recent commercial shoot, Cassidy experienced true inclusion that showed what's possible when accessibility is prioritized.

Read her full blog: https://ow.ly/fJno50YHg1M

ID: Photo of Cassidy Huff with an excerpt from the full blog below. A smiling blonde woman wearing black-framed glasses and a white off-the-shoulder top stands outdoors in soft natural light, with greenery blurred in the background

04/09/2026

AAPD is hiring a traveling Executive Assistant to the President and CEO! The Executive Assistant plays an integral role in the President & CEO’s daily work and helps the President & CEO achieve AAPD's strategic goals.

We are looking for someone who is willing to travel, works well in team settings, is a self-starter, and enjoys a challenge. If you are a strong communicator with problem-solving and organizational skills who wants to support a growing civil rights organization, this could be the role for you! AAPD offers opportunities for growth, exceptional benefits, and a flexible, hybrid work environment.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until April 30 at 11:59 PM ET. More information and the application can be found here: https://ow.ly/BGre50YGu8W

ID: Graphic promoting the Executive Assistant role, including a salary range of $70,000 - $85,000 and highlighting https://ow.ly/YFVI50YGu8V for more info.

04/07/2026

Are you a disabled student interested in a career in media, communications, or entertainment? AAPD has a scholarship for you! Applications for AAPD's 2026 Tony Coelho Media Scholarship are now open until May 29 at 5 PM ET!

The Tony Coelho Media Scholarship selects eight (8) students for scholarships to be used in the Fall semester of 2026. Each recipient will receive $5,625 to help cover the cost of education at their college or university. High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students with disabilities who are pursuing careers in media, communications, or entertainment industries and who will be enrolled in college or a university during the Fall of 2026 are eligible.

This scholarship honors Tony Coelho, a former U.S. Congressman from California, who was the primary author and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

More information can be found on our website: https://www.aapd.com/tony-coelho-media-scholarship/

Do you know a student who sounds like a great fit? Share this post with them now! 📲

ID: A graphic that says "Application Now Open" and includes information shared in the caption

04/03/2026

AAPD is hiring a Data & CRM Manager to lead how we manage and use data to support our communications and engagement work.

In this role, you’ll manage our CRM (EveryAction), keep our data accurate and organized, and turn data into clear insights that help teams make decisions.

You’ll also help set standards for how we collect and use data, support system updates and connections, and improve how easy it is for teams to access and use data.

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority for consideration given to applications based on when they are received. Apply at: https://ow.ly/Tk8550YCO61

ID: Navy text on a blue background showing job details, including an $85,000 to $100,000 salary.

04/01/2026

On March 31, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) titled “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections.”

This EO will make voting by mail more difficult and restrict who can vote by mail.

AAPD is highly concerned that if any aspects of this EO go into effect, voters with disabilities and other marginalized communities will be disproportionately harmed. Already, disabled voters face increased challenges in accessing their right to vote because of policies and practices that make voting difficult. For many people with disabilities, voting by mail is the only way they can participate in elections. An attack on vote by mail is an attack on disabled voters.

Fewer people voting is not good for democracy. Voting should be easy and accessible for all eligible voters.

ID: White text on a dark blue background that says "Attacks on vote by mail are attacks on voters with disabilities."

04/01/2026

On this last day of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting profiles published by AAPD that feature some of the remarkable women in the movement for disability rights and justice.

Each of their stories demonstrates the impact and power of disabled women. Collectively, disabled women are an unstoppable force. Read these profiles here: https://www.aapd.com/womens-history-month-2026-highlighting-disabled-women/

ID: A graphic with text that describes AAPD’s commitment to celebrating disabled women all year long, and encouraging followers to read profiles we’ve written of disabled women. Both slides have drawings of disabled women hanging out. The women’s races and disabilities are diverse.

03/18/2026

The SAVE Act and related legislation would change how people register to vote, severely restrict vote-by-mail, and make it difficult to stay on voter rolls. For disabled people who already face barriers at the ballot box, this would make voting even harder.

Accessible voting is our civil right. The SAVE Act would criminalize the accessible measures that make that civil right possible for many disabled people.

The Senate is in its final debates of the SAVE Act right now. Contact your Senators NOW and tell them to vote no on the SAVE Act:

The SAVE Act, the SAVE America Act, and MEGA Act could keep millions of eligible U.S. citizens from being able to vote. Urge Congress to reject these bills.

03/11/2026

Fall Internship Program alum Maddox O'Rourke recently participated in Headache on the Hill, a lobbying event by the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy. Maddox wrote a blog post for AAPD about his experience with headache disorders and the importance of community advocacy. Read his full blog: https://www.aapd.com/headache-on-the-hill-maddox/

ID: A photo of Maddox, a white man with glasses and short brown hair wearing a purple and blue patterned button down shirt and shorts, smiling and sitting on a rock in front of the Hudson River with a quote from his blog beneath the photo. "At Headache on the Hill, I saw firsthand that when disabled people come together, we are powerful. Our voices command attention and move hearts and minds. Sharing my story built my confidence

03/05/2026

There are a few hours left in National Call-In Day! It's time to tell Congress: keep IDEA in the Department of Education. This post from our partners Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) has everything you need to call in, including a link with scripts and guides to calling your representatives in Congress.

Be a part of a movement too big to ignore. Join advocacy groups across the country on March 5 for the ‘National Call-In Day’ to protect special education and disability civil rights.

Families, self-advocates, educators, and community members are invited to contact their Members of Congress and share why programs like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), and federal special education oversight matter in their daily lives.

This is about lived experience and what is happening in your classrooms, communities, and families as federal support is cut, protections are weakened, and rights are under attack.

You can find your U.S. Senators and Representative online, or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected.

Tips for calling can be found here: https://bit.ly/IDEA-CALLING-TIPS

03/03/2026

AAPD is deeply concerned about last Thursday's Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement addressing Medicaid and Medicare provider fraud. CMS’ decision to withhold quarterly Medicaid funding from Minnesota due to pending fraud investigations will harm disabled Minnesotans and could set a dangerous precedent.

Provider fraud can be a serious issue. But the solution cannot come at the expense of the Medicaid recipients who rely on these funds for their survival and independence. Taking away Medicaid funding will directly harm the people these programs exist to serve.

We would also like to address the six-month moratorium on certifications for new providers of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS). We’ve seen a lot of discussion about this and we want to make this very clear. People on Medicare right now will NOT lose access to the equipment they need. Existing providers and coverage will remain in place.

Policies that are supposed to prevent fraud at the provider level should never harm Medicare or Medicaid recipients. AAPD will be sharing resources over the coming weeks to help the disability community understand how this change may affect them.

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