Access Press

July 4th is not the only "independence day" celebration this month. July 26, 1990 is seen by many people with disabilities as their independence day. That's when President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. Since then, Minnesotans have celebrated the ADA's passage and, since 2015, Disability Pride Month every July. While the ADA and its promise are important, so too is the promotion of community pride and pride in who we are as disabled people.

Some people may think that COVID-19 is a thing of the past. There has even been a dangerous myth that has spread, the idea that if you've already had COVID-19 once and recovered completely, you are safe from developing Long COVID in the future. This line of thinking seems logical, but recent studies and health data reveal a different reality.

A more-than-decade-long partnership between True Friends and Cambria has led to a multimillion-dollar investment in the disability community. One of True Friends' locations, Camp Courage in Maple Lake, Minn., now features a new 26,600-square-foot recreation center. Funding for the project came from many donors, including the state of Minnesota and the Camp Cambria Foundation, and totaled $17.7 million. "The old facility worked, but as it got older, there were so many limitations.

Put coins or bills in a vending machine, push buttons and wait for a candy bar, can of soda or bag of chips to drop down. If you have sought a beverage or snack in a federal building or other government facility, chances are that the person who stocked the machine lives with visual disabilities.

For some Minnesotans with disabilities, venturing into the wilderness can feel intimidating. But for Sam and Tracy Tabaka, nature isn't just an accessible playground, it is the backdrop of their love story, and the foundation of a shared mission to prove that the outdoors belongs to absolutely everyone. The Tabakas are a married couple from Minnesota who both use wheelchairs for mobility due to spinal cord injuries, Sam following an ATV accident and Tracy from a motor vehicle crash.

The US Department of Justice issued an opinion on June 18, 2026 calling into question decades of protections for Americans with disabilities. It's the latest federal shift attempting to change services and policies. in longstanding practices for the disability community, Ali Rogin of PBS speaks with Maria Town, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, for more.

On June 20, 2026, Huntington Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota was rocked by a celebration of pure joy: the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremonies. The energy was all positive as the games officially got underway. The event brought together nearly 3,000 athletes from every state in the country, who will stay for a week-long celebration of athletic excellence, inclusion, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Attention must be paid. Special ed parent and teacher Eric Phangrath: "Don't panic, but pay close attention. Your child's rights have not changed. Today. But this is the biggest shift in special education that we've seen in decades. Every parent, every child, every advocate, every teacher, every admin, every school every district should be paying attention. The question is how this change will impact oversight, accountability, and supports and services for students with disabilities."

Many education and disability rights organizations are publishing reactions today to the announcement yesterday, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, of the move of special education programs from the U.S. Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services, and specifically to the Administration on Disabilities. Here's a link to a detailed article at Education Week. We'll continue to follow the story and reactions.