American Association of People with Disabilities

American Association of People with Disabilities The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) promotes equal opportunity, economic power, and political power for people with disabilities
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The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities.

05/27/2026

For many disabled people, including veterans and survivors of trauma, emotional support animals are vital to managing PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other disabilities so they can safely remain in their communities.

And for nearly two decades, under the Fair Housing Act and through guidance and enforcement from the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), disabled tenants were protected from being denied housing or charged extra fees because of their Emotional Support Animals (ESAs).

Now, HUD has abruptly reversed course and announced it will stop pursuing many ESA housing discrimination complaints.

The Fair Housing Act itself has not changed. Disabled people still have rights. But HUD has signaled it no longer intends to meaningfully enforce this law.

This policy shift could leave countless disabled renters more vulnerable to discrimination, housing instability, and displacement.

DREDF breaks down what changed, what protections still exist, and what tenants can do next.
Read more: https://dredf.org/huds-esa-policy-reversal/

Disability P⏻wer on the Hill may have ended but we wanted to look back on the impact it had. Seventy-Five advocates from...
05/26/2026

Disability P⏻wer on the Hill may have ended but we wanted to look back on the impact it had. Seventy-Five advocates from 17 states held meetings with 72 different Congressional offices over the course of two days. That is the power of the disability community. We asked several of the advocates there to talk about their experiences, and this is what they had to say. https://www.aapd.com/disability-power-on-the-hill-2026-voices-advocacy-and-community-in-action/

ID: A diverse group of people with disabilities in front of the US Capitol with the words "2026 Disability Power on the Hill Recap" below.

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! Access looks different for everyone. It goes beyond things like screen read...
05/21/2026

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! Access looks different for everyone. It goes beyond things like screen readers, automatic doors, and ramps. We asked our staff what’s something out of the ordinary they do for access, and here’s what they said:

IDs: Navy text on a cream background with disability pride flag colored bands in the corners across several images:
1. Access is more than just just captions, sign language, and ramps. Access can also look like
2. “Sitting at round tables to read lips better”
3. “Colorblind or high-contrast modes in video games”
4. “Sending agendas before meetings start”
5. “Wider seating options for every body”
6. “Light and temperature control indoors”

Disability P⏻wer on the Hill was a huge success! Close to 70 advocates from across the country spoke to their members of...
05/14/2026

Disability P⏻wer on the Hill was a huge success! Close to 70 advocates from across the country spoke to their members of Congress about issues including special education, social security asset limits, home- and community-based services, and more. It’s time to keep the momentum going and keep demonstrating the power of the disability community!

ID: A large group of people of various races, genders, and disabilities pose in front of the US Capitol building.

Disability P⏻wer on The Hill 2026 day 3! Here’s a fun group shot of our group of advocates from Hawaii before they head ...
05/13/2026

Disability P⏻wer on The Hill 2026 day 3! Here’s a fun group shot of our group of advocates from Hawaii before they head into the halls of Congress to speak with their representatives about issues that affect the lives of people with disabilities!

ID: A group of people of various genders, races, and disabilities pose as a group in front of the US Capitol

05/12/2026

oh snap it’s Brittanie Hernandez-Wilson, one of our incredible Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Awardees gave an amazing presentation on storytelling. It was amazing to see, and it showcases the power of community.

Today kicks off our 3rd annual Disability Power on the Hill! Disability Power on the Hill is a time when disability advo...
05/12/2026

Today kicks off our 3rd annual Disability Power on the Hill! Disability Power on the Hill is a time when disability advocates from around the country gather together on Capitol Hill to discuss important issues facing disabled Americans with their representatives in Congress. These issues include fully funding IDEA and increasing the asset limit for people who receive SSI. It’s one of our most ambitious events of the year, and we’re so excited to give a platform to so many amazing activists.

ID: An outline of the US Capitol. AAPD. The words Disability Power on the Hill framed by the colors of the disability pride flag. Beneath that, the words "Disabled, Powerful, Proud. Third Annual Disability Power on The Hill"

05/06/2026

In Vermont, 68% of towns still decide budgets and elections by floor vote requiring hours-long, in-person meetings. That’s not tradition. That’s a barrier.

Vermont calls it tradition. But when 68% of towns require hours-long, in-person meetings to vote, many voters are excluded. Tradition shouldn’t come at the cost of access.

You have until May 29th to apply for AAPD's 2026 Tony Coelho Media Scholarship!The Tony Coelho Media Scholarship will on...
05/05/2026

You have until May 29th to apply for AAPD's 2026 Tony Coelho Media Scholarship!

The Tony Coelho Media Scholarship will once again offer eight (8) 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 that 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).

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

Are you a student looking to pursue a career in media, communications, or entertainment? Apply by May 29, 2024 at 5PM ET. https://ow.ly/U8mt50YV9hn

ID: Image of text, applications for the Tony Coelho Media Scholarship are still open. Apply by May 29 at 5 PM ET.

05/04/2026

Huge win for disability rights! Indiana’s Attorney General dropped out of the Texas v. Kennedy case which would protect people with disabilities from discrimination in health care and human services. Advocacy matters. This lawsuit started with 17 states, and now it’s down to only 8. A big thank you to The Arc of Indiana for their local advocacy!

https://www.arcind.org/news/ag-rokita-withdraws-from-texas-v-kennedy/

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