American Association of People with Disabilities

01/01/2026

2025 was a difficult year for the disability community. But our community has proven our power in our collective advocacy, and this strength will carry us into the new year. We hope that 2026 brings you joy and delight. Have a happy new year!

ID: 2026 in large balloon-like golden letters. Underneath, text that says "happy new year from AAPD"

12/29/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we are reflecting on the community that makes AAPD’s work possible.

Your support powers our internships, leadership development, accessible democracy work, policy advocacy, and so much more.

If you are able to contribute, consider a year-end gift to AAPD: https://ow.ly/rRVS50XLEJw

Together we can continue expanding access and opportunity for disabled people everywhere.

ID: "Your generosity powers disability rights, today and into 2026." on a dark blue starry background.

12/29/2025

On Friday, December 26, 2025, our movement lost a powerful leader, and many of us lost a dear colleague and friend. Bob Kafka, a longtime organizer with the disability civil rights protest group, ADAPT, the founder of AAPD’s REV UP campaign, and a co-lead of REV UP Texas, passed away at his home in Austin, Texas.

Bob was driven by the conviction that disabled people deserve freedom, choice, dignity, and power. His ideals were not just dreams; they were a mandate, a directive that guided his life. From being arrested more than 30 times while fighting for various pieces of landmark legislation to negotiating with government officials, he never stopped living his values and fighting for our community.

We strongly encourage you to read AAPD's full tribute to Bob Kafka, written by Director of Accessible Democracy Alexia Kemerling: https://www.aapd.com/aapd-remembers-bob-kafka/

12/26/2025

it's trueeee 💜

ID: Bold white text on blue background reads 'The disability community is stronger together'

12/22/2025

Your year-end gift supports disabled leaders, strengthens disability rights, and expands access in digital, civic, employment, and physical spaces.

If you are able to contribute, your gift helps empower this work and grow opportunities across our community.

Give today: https://ow.ly/A1a950XLE10

Thank you for supporting disability advocacy and leadership.

ID: A collage of AAPD photos advocating for disability rights, below that, text that says "thank you for your continued support as we move our mission forward in 2026.

12/22/2025

In honor of the recent release of Wicked: For Good, Summer 2025 Intern Brianna Arce wrote about her experience working in the theater industry and her thoughts on the importance of disability representation in the arts. https://ow.ly/xhve50XMNrc

ID: Portrait of a person with long curly hair wearing a dark blazer, accompanied by a quote on disability representation in theater from Brianna Arce.

The quote says "For me, disability representation in theater proves we belong in this industry and deserve to be represented accurately. It also fuels my work to advocate for greater access and inclusion."

12/19/2025

As 2025 wraps up, AAPD President and CEO Maria Town wrote a blog post reflecting on how AAPD met the challenges of the year and how we will continue to build disability power in the year ahead. Through organizing advocacy opportunities like Disability Power on the Hill, facilitating internship programs that lead to economic power, and more, we have demonstrated the impact of disability-led collective action. Thank you for being part of our community and we can’t wait to share more with you in 2026! 💜 👉 https://www.aapd.com/powered-by-community-how-aapd-showed-up-built-together-and-looks-ahead/

ID: A collage of activists gathered outside of the Capitol and the city of Selma. Underneath, a quote from Maria Town: "Across AAPD's work, one lesson is clear: when disabled people lead initiatives on issues that directly impact our lives, the results are powerful."

12/18/2025

This change to the public charge rule harms disabled immigrants. This rule will make it easier for immigration officers to prevent people with disabilities from immigrating to the United States or getting their green card if the officers believe that they may need to take advantage of public assistance. The proposed rule does not distinguish between means-tested benefits, like Medicaid, and other government assistance available to everyone, including federal emergency assistance after a natural disaster.

Allowing individual Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers to use their personal judgment about factors related to disability could lead to disabled immigrants receiving different determinations from different officers, resulting in inequitable outcomes for prospective disabled immigrants.

Click here to take action: https://aapd.quorum.us/campaign/150993/

IDs: White text on a white background. "Take action: tell the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) not to move forward with the public charge rule. This harms people with disabilities. Comments close tomorrow! This new proposal cancels the 2022 “public charge” rule. The 2022 rule made it harder for immigration officials to consider a person’s disability when deciding whether they might one day rely on public benefits. Under the proposed new rule, individual DHS officers could decide for themselves who they believe might need benefits. This could make it less likely for disabled immigrants to have their immigration applications approved"

12/16/2025

The 2026 AAPD Fall Internship Program Application is now open. Our Internship Program places students and recent graduates with disabilities in paid internships. Interns build leadership skills, explore career opportunities, and connect with the disability community. .

The 2026 AAPD Fall Internship Program will be fully virtual. Ten interns will be selected to complete remote internships at placement sites. Applications are due February 5, 2026 at 5:00 pm ET. Apply today at: https://ow.ly/PvGy50XKlSB

We will have an information session to learn more about the program and application on January 8, 2026 at 3:00 pm ET. CART and ASL will be provided. The session will be recorded and available on the AAPD website.

We look forward to hearing from you!

ID: A colorful graphic detailing all the information in the post, the Fall Internship Program applications are open for 2026, the deadline is February 5, 2026 at 5pm.

12/15/2025

12/10/2025

We’re excited to share a new report: Building Disability Economic Power Through AAPD’s Internship Program!

For over two decades, AAPD has run our internship program to support hundreds of students and recent graduates in accessing meaningful career and leadership opportunities. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the first two decades of the internship program and the results are incredible. The report includes our key findings and what changes we’ve made since then.

👈 Swipe to see some cool takeaways!

Our favorite?? 🎯 Building disability economic power involves more than just giving disabled people a job. When disabled people have meaningful resources like accessible housing, technology, and competitive wages, along with meaningful career opportunities and access to a supportive community, they have a true opportunity to thrive instead of just surviving.

Read our report today to learn more about how we build disability economic power. We will be sharing more ways that you can join us in our movement in early 2026. https://ow.ly/iPzl50XH3GI

ID 1: Collage of diverse individuals with disabilities engaging in advocacy and professional settings, highlighting a new report on economic power and internships by AAPD.
ID 2: White text on dark blue background stating building economic power is more than just giving a person a job.
ID 3: Bar chart comparing hourly wages showing alumni earn $34.59, higher than people without disabilities at $17.73 and people with disabilities at $13.74.
ID 4: A diverse group of professionals engaged in a conference room with a virtual presenter on screen discussing accessible work opportunities.
ID 5: White text on a dark blue background stating AAPD interns cause a ripple effect across the workforce
ID 6: Large diverse group of disabled people smiling and posing on a rooftop with the U.S. Capitol in the background.
ID 7: White text on a dark blue background stating read out report today. Link in bio

12/08/2025

This blogger described the intersection between her racial identity and mental health journey. She wrote about how she does not want to be a token high-achieving Black woman anymore because others do not truly understand her or her community. We hope her words resonate with you or teach you something new. Read the whole piece at: https://www.aapd.com/my-token-is-done-shining-for-you/

ID: White text on a purple textured background that says: "I represented my community with grace. I did not slip up, I did not show weariness, I put on a brave face. I knew my place. I was often the first of many. I checked every box, and I was your token. But what happens when the boxes we are placed into no longer fit us? What happens when the token stops shining for you?" attributed to anonymous.