Disability Belongs

Disability Belongs™ has produced a series of new resources focused on ensuring events are accessible. We hope these resources will help you and your community create events where disabled people can fully participate this holiday season and beyond! Explore the new resources: https://lnkd.in/ePsVhHAu

Exciting news! Flying home for the holidays will soon be easier for travelers who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices, thanks to a new rule from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The rule aims to make travel safer and more dignified for more mobility aid users by setting new standards for assistance, mandating hands-on training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passengers with disabilities and handle passengers’ wheelchairs. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ePaeCRBF

We have a real chance at achieving an outcome that disability advocates have spent decades fighting for. We hope you will take a few minutes to help us end subminimum wages today! https://lnkd.in/gvMaCxYW

We were thrilled to be able to consult on Wicked and are grateful to the team behind the movie for their intentionality in getting disability representation right! Learn more at The Wrap: https://lnkd.in/eKjGuhmy

For thousands of Americans with disabilities, working for less than a dollar an hour is a harsh reality. There are two ways you can take action now to help eliminate subminimum wages for disabled workers! Ask Congress to pass the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA) before December 20th, 2024. And submit a public comment to the Department of Labor (DOL) in support of their Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to eliminate 14(c) certificates before January 17th, 2025. Find templates, links, instructions, and more information in our Action Center: https://lnkd.in/gvMaCxYW

Schools are one of the first places that children can be exposed to disabilities. It is important that educators foster an open and inclusive environment for every student and integrate disability education in their curriculum. Flip through the graphics for tips on how schools can help nurture an accessible and inclusive space for children with and without disabilities. If you want to partner with us to make your organization more inclusive, visit https://lnkd.in/eTh375WD and get in touch!

I'm excited to be speaking at the SIE Society Impact + Power Conference this Friday. Moderated by CNN's David Daniel, additional panelists include Kelli McNeil-Yellen, Nandi Bowe, and Nielsen's Stacie M. de Armas. We will focus on the intersection of business and inclusive storytelling for social impact. If you are in LA this week, get tickets and be part of the conversation: https://lnkd.in/eWYEZ9cb.

New data from our partners at Nielsen shows that gaps in disability representation remain stark, that disabled people feel underrepresented and misrepresented in media, and that our community expects brands to support causes aligned with our interests. As our President and CEO Ariel Simms said, “By thoughtfully integrating accessibility and representation into their business plans, disability-inclusive brands not only create a more inclusive environment but also foster stronger relationships with diverse audiences. Brands that prioritize disability inclusion from the outset position themselves to reap the benefits of a more equitable marketplace.” Read the report: https://lnkd.in/e7F3CWur

Only a few hours left!

Today, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the U.S. Department of Labor released a groundbreaking notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would phase out certificates that allow certain employers to pay disabled workers below the federal minimum wage and for some, just cents on the dollar. Many advocates, including Disability Belongs™, have been calling for equal pay for disabled workers for years. In the coming weeks, we'll be calling on our network to share public comments in support of this important advocacy milestone, helping this proposed rule become a reality for disabled workers. Please stay tuned for action alerts! Image Description: U.S. Department of Labor logo