Hello Readers -
Welcome to spring! I love the beauty of DC this time of year, but could do without the crowds. My garden is blooming and walks with my corgi are so much better with a bit of warmth. What a weekend here in DC. We had peak bloom plus a huge No Kings march. Estimates are suggesting that more than 8 million people showed up to the protests nationwide. Maybe there is a bit of hope blooming with midterms right around the corner.
This has been a hard month for news on disability. Despite not always being front page news as we are at war and (waves arms frantically) the dumpster fire around us, there has been deeply frustrating and hurtful news about the community. For example, President Trump said that a person with learning disabilities cannot be president - a completely factually incorrect statement and seriously troubling. I appreciated NCLD’s swift response. And, although we often hear incorrect comments from President Trump, this only further stigmatizes disabled people, especially when we need more representation in government. The next big news item is how the airlines are treating disabled customers. Under the Biden Administration, significant efforts were taken to improve airline travel for disabled passengers. Yet, recent events show enforcement and practice are abysmal. My good friend, Emily Ladau, had her wheelchair totaled by Delta Airlines. This is all too common as almost 10,000 mobility devices were damaged last year.
Enjoy the articles I collected this month. There is always more to share than room. Please don’t hesitate to send reports, articles, or updates - I am happy to include them in the next newsletter.
Onward!
Kim
Welcome to the newest section of the newsletter. I’m providing a short, quick accessibility tip of the month. These tips will work for any organization of any size. If you have a great tip to share, reach out! I’ll name and tag you with your tip in future newsletters.
Today, a website is the “front door” for the vast majority of businesses, government, and organizations. Many people look up restaurants before arriving, shop retailers, research their local representatives and the issues they care about, and plan trips all online. In 2024, a rule was finalized to align website accessibility for Title II entities of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The first big deadline for web and app accessibility requirements occurs at the end of April. While not all organizations or businesses have to comply with this rule (in particular, Title III entities), the accessibility tip of the month is to create a process to make web content accessible now. Review the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines and create policies and a process to ensure your “front door” is accessible to everyone. This includes helping all staff understand the importance of and how to add alt text and descriptions to images, captions for videos, use of headings, minimum 12pt font, and sans serif fonts (in addition to other guidelines). Creating an accessible website can also be aesthetically pleasing - very important when users form an opinion about a website in 0.05 seconds. Further, nearly 40% of all consumers abandon carts due to poor website experiences. So, take some time and check your website and work to appeal to all users! Plus check out this article about the upcoming requirements: Is Your City Ready for Website Accessibility Requirements? (National League of Cities, 02.18.2026).
Nation’s Disability Services System Faces ‘Unprecedented’ Threats (Disability Scoop, 03.30.2026).
March 29, 2026 - Trump Administration, DHS Shutdown News (CNN, 03.29.2026).
What We Know About Pay for T.S.A. Workers (New York Times, 0327.2026).
DOJ Says St. Louis Special School District Seclusion and Restraint Practices Violate Federal Law (St. Louis Public Radio, 02.23.2026).
U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Concludes D.C. Public Schools Discriminates Against Students with Disabilities (U.S. Department of Education, 03.18.2026).
How the SAVE America Act Hurts Disabled Voters (Time, 03.23.2026).
Does Medicare Still Cover Durable Medical Equipment? (Center for American Progress, 03.26.2026).
All the Ways ED’s Latest Admissions Data Collection Went Wrong (IHEP, 03.16.2026).
Millions Turn Out for “No Kings” Rallies Held Worldwide to Protest Against Trump (CBS News, 03.28.2026).
Senators Hassan, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help People Diagnosed with Terminal Illness or Serious Disability Access Their Earned Benefits Faster (Maggie Hassan, 03.02.2026).
SPECS 2026: Retailers Talk Accessible Store Designs, Related Initiatives (Chain Store Age, 03.23.2026).
How an Act of Civil Disobedience in 1978 Denver Helped Propel Disability Rights (NPR, 03.19.2026).
The Business Upside of Hiring People with Disabilities (The Virginian-Pilot, 03.15.2026).
Traveling with Disabilities Is Often Hard. These Tools Can Help. (New York Times, 03.13.2026).
Starbucks, Walmart, Other Retailers Roll Out Framework for Accessibility (Disability Scoop, 03.10.2026).
HuffPost Launches “Voices of Disabled People” As the First National News Section Devoted Entirely to Disability Coverage (BuzzFeedPress, 03.06.2026).
New Data Show Unemployment Rising for Black and Asian Disabled Workers Amid Trump’s Attacks (National Partnership, 03.03.2026).
The Business Case for Inclusion: Why Disability Inclusion Matters in Business Today (Disability Belongs, 02.27.2026).
The Biggest Barrier to Accessibility is Not Usability (Fast Company, 02.25.2026).
When I compile the newsletter, these are open roles, but changes to status occur quickly. Please note, I do not have any additional information beyond the links provided about these positions, and I do not have affiliations with these jobs. If you have a job to share, please contact me to post in the next newsletter.
Making Space has many opportunities for individuals seeking creative roles available on their page. Making Space seeks to connect disabled professionals with career opportunities and help employers retain talent. The roles range from in person, to hybrid, to remote and some are full time, part time, or contract. Check out the opportunities here.
The Center for Democracy & Technology seeks a senior-level Director of Research. This position will set research priorities for the organization. Read more about the position here.
The American Association of People with Disabilities has positions open. These include a Data & CRM Manager and an Executive Assistant. Learn more about these roles and future roles posted here.
The Center for American Progress has numerous positions across programs open. These include a chief economist, development assistant, executive vice president of communications and strategy, executive vice president of policy, vice president of democracy and more. Learn about all the positions here.
Temple University’s Institute on Disabilities is seeking an Executive Director. Learn more about the position and university here.
EDTrust-West is seeking a research and data analyst to join their team. The analyst will support research that focuses on trends and inequities in education. Read about the position here.
Connect with Kim today to share content for this newsletter or learn more about services offered by Unlock Access. Enjoying the accessibility tips of the month? Download the Unlock Access Accessible Business Starter Kit today!
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