American Association of People with Disabilities

06/12/2026

On June 1, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that details all the policies around new Medicaid work requirements.

These work requirements, approved by Congress in 2025, will lead to disabled people losing their life-saving benefits. Work requirements threaten the health, safety, and independence of the millions of people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid to pay for essential health care, Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and other supports and services.

While the work requirements don't go into effect until January 1, 2027, AAPD is working hard to educate our community about what these requirements mean and how you can prepare for them.

We will have many resources for you, starting with our new FAQ! Check it out for our answers to common questions and concerns about these new requirements: aapd.com/medicaid-work-requirements-faq

Comments on the IFR remain open until July 31, 2026. Watch this space to join an upcoming action alert, when AAPD will provide a template for you to submit a comment.

ID: A graphic announcing a new resource says "Medicaid Work Requirements FAQ"

06/10/2026

Happy Pride Month from AAPD! Did you know that research from Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University found that 13% of disabled people identify as LGBTQ+, compared to 7% of non-disabled people? It’s true! Pride should be safe and accessible for everybody and every type of body. Check out this link for guidance on how to make events accessible!https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/AAPDs-Event-Accessibility-Checklist.pdf

ID: Pride flag with a yellow triangle and purple circle, accompanied by text highlighting that disabled people are nearly twice as likely to be q***r, celebrating Pride Month, and how Pride has to be accessible to everyone.

06/04/2026

“There are going to be so many disabled people and chronically ill people who lose access to their health care and other kinds of supports that Medicaid provides,” said Maria Town, the President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities.

"It's hard not to think that the cruelty of the policy is the point."

06/04/2026

Join the movement to bring transformative experiences and mentorship to disabled young people and students by becoming a 2026 Disability Mentoring Day Coordinator!

As a Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) Coordinator, you'll create opportunities for disabled students and young professionals in your community to discover potential career paths and receive the encouragement and mentorship they deserve. By hosting a DMD event in your community, you'll help young disabled people build vital, lasting connections with their mentors.

If you want to launch an event in your community, AAPD will provide resources and support to make it successful. Ready to facilitate powerful disability mentorship? Start by joining one of our two orientation calls this summer, either on July 16 or August 20, 4-5 PM ET. Register at this link, or email [email protected] to learn more: https://forms.gle/kKorYyaDZgJfrzMc9

ID: White text on a purple-to-blue gradient background that says "Be a coordinator for Disability Mentoring Day"

06/02/2026

Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shared that they intend to publish a final regulation to implement Medicaid work requirements. This final policy, called an "IFR" (Interim Final Rule), comes out on June 3, 2026.

Work requirements go into effect on January 1, 2027, and the IFR tells states how to comply with the policy.

AAPD is digging into this long and complex policy, and will share many resources over the coming days and weeks, including tools to help you understand these changes, prepare to protect your benefits, and help you submit a comment about this proposal (even if you're not on Medicaid!).

But while our team hits the books, we're reminded that no special expertise is necessary to know that work requirements cause serious harm to disabled people. Disabled people and unbiased researchers have been raising alarms about work requirements for a long time.

Work requirements often unenroll eligible beneficiaries from health coverage when they can't keep up with intentionally complex, difficult-to-understand administrative requirements.

In Arkansas, temporary work requirements over a two-year period saw 18,000 people get removed from coverage. Many of them were not informed until they got to the doctor's office or pharmacy, and the care they needed was denied.

Read our statement about today's announcement to learn more about what we know, and what comes next: https://www.aapd.com/work-requirements-update/

This is a scary time for disabled Americans, but AAPD will be here for you with information and resources through it all.

ID: A navy graphic with white text and the AAPD logo in the corner reads "We have an important update about Medicaid work requirements. Read AAPD's statement to learn more and follow AAPD for future updates."

05/27/2026

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

Disability P⏻wer on the Hill may have ended but we wanted to look back on the impact it had. Seventy-Five advocates from 17 states held meetings with 72 different Congressional offices over the course of two days. That is the power of the disability community. We asked several of the advocates there to talk about their experiences, and this is what they had to say. https://www.aapd.com/disability-power-on-the-hill-2026-voices-advocacy-and-community-in-action/

ID: A diverse group of people with disabilities in front of the US Capitol with the words "2026 Disability Power on the Hill Recap" below.

05/21/2026

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! Access looks different for everyone. It goes beyond things like screen readers, automatic doors, and ramps. We asked our staff what’s something out of the ordinary they do for access, and here’s what they said:

IDs: Navy text on a cream background with disability pride flag colored bands in the corners across several images:
1. Access is more than just just captions, sign language, and ramps. Access can also look like
2. “Sitting at round tables to read lips better”
3. “Colorblind or high-contrast modes in video games”
4. “Sending agendas before meetings start”
5. “Wider seating options for every body”
6. “Light and temperature control indoors”

05/14/2026

Disability P⏻wer on the Hill was a huge success! Close to 70 advocates from across the country spoke to their members of Congress about issues including special education, social security asset limits, home- and community-based services, and more. It’s time to keep the momentum going and keep demonstrating the power of the disability community!

ID: A large group of people of various races, genders, and disabilities pose in front of the US Capitol building.

05/13/2026

Disability P⏻wer on The Hill 2026 day 3! Here’s a fun group shot of our group of advocates from Hawaii before they head into the halls of Congress to speak with their representatives about issues that affect the lives of people with disabilities!

ID: A group of people of various genders, races, and disabilities pose as a group in front of the US Capitol