One Voice Brevard

05/27/2026

14 million people with disabilities rely on SNAP to afford food every day.
But after the biggest SNAP cut in history last year, nearly 3 million people lost benefits. Now, even more people could lose access to the food they need, while grocery prices continue to rise.

People with disabilities, older adults, caregivers, and working families should not have to worry about going hungry. Food is not optional. It’s dignity, stability, and survival.

Congress must act to protect and strengthen SNAP. Send a message to Congress today and tell them: No one should go hungry.
➡️ https://bit.ly/4fG2XmK

05/27/2026

Section 504 legally protects disabled people from discrimination in federally funded programs and services by requiring equal access, reasonable accommodations, and inclusive practices across education, healthcare, public services, and employment. In the second installment of our three-part series, learn more about why Section 504 still matters today and how its protections shape the daily lives of people with disabilities. Read the blog: https://www.disabilitybelongs.org/2026/05/why-section-504-still-matters/

05/27/2026

There’s a very complicated process underway that could shape how Medicaid services for disabled children are measured — and families have a chance to weigh in now.
CMS has contracted with Mathematica to create new quality measures for children’s home- and community-based services.
If these measures focus on whether paperwork is completed, they could create even more administrative burden for families and providers.
But if they focus on whether children are actually receiving the services they are assessed and authorized to receive — and whether families can direct care in ways that preserve safety, continuity and dignity — they could help expose real access problems.
Public comments are due June 8, 2026, and I pulled together a plain-language breakdown and cheat sheet to help families understand what is being proposed.

Read the full issue at the link in the comments.

This week’s news roundup also includes:
1️⃣ A New York school district was found to have confined disabled students in padded wooden boxes.
2️⃣ The U.S. Department of Education is releasing an additional $144 million for IDEA programs.
3️⃣ Forbes looks at estate planning for children who fall between formal disability categories and full independence.
4️⃣ Straight Arrow News examines the vanishing safety net for families with disabled children.
5️⃣ Maine advocates are responding to changes in Medicaid services for disabled children.
6️⃣ North Carolina families are pressing lawmakers to maintain disability service funding as federal Medicaid cuts loom.
7️⃣ In Ireland, children with intellectual disabilities are facing growing mental health service delays.

05/27/2026

Even if some Floridians have income that is over the limit for regular Medicaid, the Medically Needy Program may help them access Medicaid in months when their medical bills are high. When you are enrolled in Medically Needy, Medicaid can be activated for any month in which your medical bills reach....

05/26/2026

For many disabled people, including veterans and survivors of trauma, emotional support animals are vital to managing PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other disabilities so they can safely remain in their communities.

And for nearly two decades, under the Fair Housing Act and through guidance and enforcement from the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), disabled tenants were protected from being denied housing or charged extra fees because of their Emotional Support Animals (ESAs).

Now, HUD has abruptly reversed course and announced it will stop pursuing many ESA housing discrimination complaints.

The Fair Housing Act itself has not changed. Disabled people still have rights. But HUD has signaled it no longer intends to meaningfully enforce this law.

This policy shift could leave countless disabled renters more vulnerable to discrimination, housing instability, and displacement.

DREDF breaks down what changed, what protections still exist, and what tenants can do next.
Read more: https://dredf.org/huds-esa-policy-reversal/

05/26/2026

In her first appearance on Capitol Hill this year, lawmakers questioned Education Secretary Linda McMahon about students' civil rights and cuts to federal education spending.

05/26/2026

We need help making calls in Florida!

A lawsuit, Texas v. Kennedy (previously Texas v. Becerra), is challenging important disability rights protections that help people with disabilities live and participate in their communities instead of being forced into institutions. Advocates warn this could weaken long-standing protections under Section 504 and threaten access to critical supports and services.

Advocacy is making a difference. Indiana and South Dakota have recently withdrawn from the lawsuit after strong advocacy from the disability community. If you live in Alaska, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, or Texas, please contact your Attorney General and urge them to withdraw from the lawsuit as well.

Find more information, including information on how to get involved in advocating at: https://bit.ly/4v93DWh

05/25/2026

05/23/2026

Time to celebrate 🎉 - HB 915 (Medical Assistance Eligibility for Working Individuals with Disabilities) was signed into law and is now in statute! (Chapter No. 2026-88)💐🎉

Congratulations to all the hard work that went in to get this bill passed!



One Voice Coalition Florida
Angels Bridging Gaps / ABGworks
SOAK Supporting Our ASD Kids, Inc - Autism Organization
Brevard Autism Coalition, Inc.
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