Hello Readers!
Thank you for sticking with me as I took a break from sending a newsletter in July. I had major surgery in July: a C1-C2 spinal fusion. I now have four titanium screws and a surprisingly thin four inch scar down the back of my head and neck. Almost seven weeks post-surgery, I have not had a headache - the longest I’ve gone since I was a teenager. I can feel my fingertips again, hear without ringing (I actually thought everyone had ringing in their ears, oops!), see more clearly … life is really much better. I have a long road to recovery and my life has been drastically changed forever, but I’m happy to say that I’m taking each day as it comes.
A lot has happened in the world since the last newsletter. In two months, a massive reconciliation bill passed and was signed into law, there have been more than 25 Executive Orders and five Presidential Memoranda reshaping the federal policy landscape, and D.C. is being taken over with federal force - to name a few major items. Plus, only days into the new school year, we are faced with another school shooting and the news cycle has already moved on. The world feels heavy. A lot more coverage on the problems facing us in the sections below.
When trying to find light in the darkness, it is pumpkin spice season! I TRY to wait until September 1 but this year, I could not help myself. My pumpkin cream cold brew was delicious and highly recommend. Plus, TAYLOR SWIFT AND TRAVIS KELCE ARE ENGAGED! Yes, I’m a Swiftie, obviously. My husband is also a Chiefs fan as he grew up in Kansas.
To exciting work news, July kicked off two social media campaigns for the coalitions I support. I’m excited to share the press release for The Access Coalition: Creating More Inclusive Retail Spaces. These companies are doing amazing work, and I have linked additional articles below. I’m also thrilled to share the press release for the Coalition on Accessibility in Higher Education. This cross-sector coalition is working to change higher education. Check out blogs and more in the Talk of the Town section.
I’ll do my best to keep this newsletter concise. Check out my favorite articles and links for the last two months. I have some pieces bubbling in my mind that will be coming your way soon. Stay connected and reach out to collaborate.
Onward!
Kim
The following are additional links that may be of interest. Some key articles are linked below. Enjoy this quick run down.
One Big Beautiful Bill Coverage
Public Law 119-21, July 4, 2025 [congress.gov].
Trump on Fourth of July Signs ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ to Implement His Agenda [NPR, 07.04.2025].
American Association of People with Disabilities Responds to Passage of Budget Reconciliation Bill: “This is a Devastating Day for Disabled Americans” [AAPD, 07.03.2025].
Trump Pledges to Protect Social Security Amid Possible Cost Cutting [ABC News, 08.27.2025]. (Note: In the article Trump is quoted saying he would not hurt anyone on Medicaid, Medicare, or Social Security. Article is included given other articles covering policy choices.)
Trump Administration Poised to Cut SSI Benefits for Nearly 400,000 Low Income Disabled and Older People [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 08.07.2027].
nTIDE August 2025 Jobs Report: Is Employment of People with Disabilities Declining? [Kessler Foundation, 08.01.2025].
As noted in the opening, there were MANY executive orders and memorandum issued by the President in July and August. Below are a few that I suggest taking a look at and tracking, related to disability.
Preventing Woke AI in the Federal Government [Executive Order, 07.23.2025].
Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets [Executive Order, 07.24.2025]. National Disability Rights groups responded with a powerful statement about this EO and the upending of precedent and elimination of basic protections.
Ensuring Transparency in Higher Education Admissions [Presidential Memoranda, 08.07.2025].
Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking [Executive Order, 08.07.2025].
Improving Our Nation Through Better Design [Executive Order, 08.21.2025] Note: Accessibility seems to not be considered in any way in this EO.
Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again [Executive Order, 08.28.2025]. Note: Accessibility seems to not be considered in any way in this EO.
The following are interesting articles I came across in the last two months, including some great coverage of Disability Pride Month at the top of the list. I encourage taking a look. While not the full scope of news coverage on accessibility and disability, these provide a quick glimpse of what might be applicable to your day to day. Rather than short summaries of each article, to save space I’m including more articles and no summaries. Summaries will be back next month. Click the links and enjoy!
Disability Pride and Policy [New America, 07.30.2025].
Disability Pride Month & 35 Years of the ADA: Protecting Rights in Peril [AAPD, 07.31.2025].
35 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act - Celebrating the Success and Concern [NPR, 07.22.2025].
Disability Rights Moves Forward [Ford Foundation, 07.17.2025].
Disability Inclusion as a Business Imperative: Time to Move Beyond Compliance [CRN, 07.11.2025].
Including Disabled People in Upward Mobility: Leveraging Local Data [Urban Institute, 07.03.2025].
The Obama Presidential Center’s Commitment to Accessibility [The Obama Presidential Center, n.d.].
Advancing Accessibility Together: A Step Forward in Inclusive Design [Starbucks, 08.01.2025].
Selena Gomez Just Proved Accessibility is the New Luxury: Are Brands Listening? [The Sacramento Bee, 08.27.2025].
The Access Coalition: Inclusive Spaces Carry on the Legacy of the ADA [AAPD, 07.30.2025].
The Access Coalition: Building on the ADA with Inclusive Retail Innovation [LinkedIn, 07.16.2025].
Coalition on Accessibility in Higher Education Blogs:
A Dive Into OCR’s Higher Education Accessibility Investigations in 2024: Five Key Takeaways [LinkedIn, 08.22.2025].
Paving the Way: One Student’s Story of Advocating for Accessibility in Higher Education [LinkedIn, 07.22.2025].
Then and Now: Disability Across Generations [Substack, 07.14.2025]. This is from my good friend Emily Ladau and me! Take a read if you missed last month.
The job market is very tough. There are so many qualified people looking and seeking roles right now. I’ve collected some roles below. These were open when I compiled the newsletter, 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.
Work for America, a job matching site for those leaving federal jobs. There is a September Job Seeker Q&A. Find out more and sign up at this website.
The D.C. Government is actively seeking impacted federal workers for jobs in their state government. See this website for more information.
Maryland is actively seeking impacted federal workers for jobs in their state government. See this website for more information.
Virginia is actively seeking impacted federal workers for jobs in their state government. See this website for more information.
Arnold & Porter is hiring a Manager of Diversity and Inclusion in either the New York or DC office. This is a supervisory position and advances D&I initiatives across the firm. Find out more including salary range here.
Advocates for Community Health is seeking a Policy and Government Affairs Manager. This is a “mid-level” role that should have 3-5 years of public policy, government affairs, or legislative experience. Learn more here.
Looking to be an executive director? DIYgirls is seeking their next Executive Director who will oversee all strategic and operational functions of the organization. The role is hybrid with the office located outside of LA. Read the details here.
Another executive director role! Media Democracy Fund is seeking their next Executive Director. This role is remote with east coast location preferred. The Executive Director will build and organize funders aligned on intersectional issues. Learn more about this role and application here.
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.
Connect with Kim today to share content for this newsletter or learn more about services offered by Unlock Access.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.