Disability Belongs

We're thrilled to be able to share more information about our 11 Fellows for Spring 2025! We are so proud of all they have already accomplished, and look forward to seeing what they will do next. Read all of their bios at https://lnkd.in/dxF5xS9C

We want to celebrate your accomplishments at the 2025 Disability Impact Awards! Recipients of the Annual Ben Spangenberg and Justin Chappell Memorial Award and the Annual Steve Bartlett Award will be recognized during an in-person reception in Washington, D.C. this summer, and will be awarded $1,000. Time is running out – get your application in before March 12th to be considered! All of the information you need is at https://lnkd.in/d2vSrg2t

For too long, Hollywood has treated accessibility as an afterthought— but what happens when we start using it to fuel better storytelling, stronger productions, and bigger audiences? Tomorrow, February 22nd, at 1:45 p.m. PT, our CEO Ariel Simms will be participating in a FWD-Doc panel at Slamdance, along with Marissa Bode (Wicked), Juliet Romeo (Slamdance Unstoppable), Natasha Ofili (The Politician), Kaitlyn Yang (Alpha Studios), and moderator Jim LeBrecht (Crip Camp). The live panel will take place at Panasonic LUMIX Theater at Quixote Studios in Los Angeles and tickets to join live are free. Get tickets here: https://lnkd.in/eXgx6tEZ The panel will also be livestreamed by LA Times Studios directly to the LA Times Homepage (www.latimes.com), in front of the paywall, ensuring accessibility to everyone. We hope you can join in person or check out the livestream!

Take Action Now! Texas and 16 other states are suing to eliminate Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a key disability rights protection. If they succeed, millions of disabled people could lose fundamental protections against discrimination in schools, healthcare, housing, and government programs. Contact your state's Attorney General and urge them to publicly oppose Texas v. Becerra. All the information you need is at https://lnkd.in/ed-Q-dbd

Slamdance 2025 begins tomorrow, February 20th, and seven films screening at the festival were created by or involved Disability Belongs™ Lab alumni: • Disposable Humanity (writer/director Cameron S. Mitchell) • Disabled AF (writer/director Cashmere Jasmine, writer/producer Ariel Baska, writer Ophira Calof, and producer Kiah Amara) • Forward Thinking (producer and co-writer Jeremy Hsing, production accessibility coordinator Kiah Amara, and director’s assistant Lonzo Bentley) • Iron Lung (director Andrew Reid and executive producer Sarah Granger) • Contours (Production Accessibility Coordinators Kiah Amara and Asha Chai-Chang) • Possum (writer/producer Sophie Sagan-Gutherz) • Witness (Co-Director/Producer Radha Mehta) Learn more at www.slamdance.com/festival!

What is a "reasonable" accommodation? How do you build an inclusive accommodations process? What are the steps to identifying and implementing solutions? Learn the answers to all of these questions at our website: https://lnkd.in/dBR8A8qi

The U.S. Department of Education is at risk of elimination due to H.R. 899, a bill introduced in Congress, and an Executive Order. If the Department is eliminated, state and local school districts would lose billions in federal funding. The elimination of the Department of Education would be catastrophic for the 15% of students who receive special education services. Without the department’s oversight and funding, students with disabilities would lose critical services, civil rights protections, and access to a quality education. Take action by urging Congress to oppose H.R. 899 and any legislation aimed at eliminating the Department of Education: https://lnkd.in/gyXT-f-S

Universal Design is a principle that makes buildings, products, and environments accessible to the widest audience possible. By implementing the seven principles of Universal Design (shown in these graphics), you and your organization will benefit from the contributions of the one in four adults who have a disability. Learn more about universal design and how your organization can incorporate these principles by partnering with Disability Belongs™: https://lnkd.in/gzCCgJEA

Nickelodeon, in partnership with Disability Belongs™, is proud to introduce two valuable new resources: Educators’ Guide to Disability Inclusion and A Family Guide to Disability Inclusion. These guides are designed to help families and educators deepen their understanding of disability inclusion, spark meaningful conversations, and explore fun activities that encourage reflection on how we all learn, communicate, and move in unique ways. Download them for free: https://lnkd.in/ePbZCEpJ

The path to fair wages and inclusive employment for disabled workers is a challenging one, but with your continued support we can help make it a reality. That starts with legislation that ensures all employees be compensated fairly and equitably. Read an update on our work to expand competitive integrated employment and learn how you can take action to support disabled employees: https://lnkd.in/e95xCgPZ