RespectAbility

Misunderstandings surrounding mental health can lead to harmful stereotypes, stigma, and exclusion. These barriers can make it harder for people with mental health disabilities* to be fully included, supported, and understood in their communities. Mental health conditions are disabilities. They are valid and important parts of the disability experience. At Disability Belongs™, we're committed to replacing myths with facts and building greater understanding.

Don't be late, Myra, a film by Afia Serana Nathaniel, was recently awarded Best International Short Film at the 2025 DC Independent Film Festival and has seen critical acclaim in the international short film space. Released in October 2024 and filmed in Pakistan, the film follows ten-year-old Myra, played by Innayah Umer, in Lahore. Myra, with her My Little Pony backpack, is portrayed in a poetic, child-like tone.

Spoiler Warning: The following review includes some spoilers for the film Australian supernatural horror film Bring Her Back depicts the vulnerabilities of being a disabled child while simultaneously incorporating a fully fleshed-out portrayal of disability. The film's two main protagonists are Andy, a 17-year-old boy, and Piper, his younger stepsister who has low vision.

Washington, D.C., July 4 - In painful irony, on the very day our nation celebrates independence and freedom, President Trump signed into law a budget reconciliation bill that strips away critical lifeline programs-threatening the independence, health, and dignity of millions across the country.

Disability Belongs™, a nonpartisan and disability-led organization, expresses deep disappointment with Congress for passing a profoundly harmful budget reconciliation bill without sufficient scrutiny or consideration of its effect on impacted communities.

Disability Belongs™ is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Disability Impact Awards. Founded in 2022, these annual awards honor individuals and organizations creating meaningful, lasting change for the disability community. This year's honorees are: Congressman Steny Hoyer, a key leader in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), who will receive the Steve Bartlett Award.

In today's fast-moving world, it's easy to forget where we came from-and even easier to take for granted the rights and protections on which we now rely. It is critical to remember that progress is not permanent-it must be actively protected and advanced. The rights of disabled people have been hard-won. Recent developments, including a proposal to cut Medicaid funding, remind us that equity achieved is not equity secured. This makes two things clear. First, we must understand history.

Congress is currently debating the 2025 Federal Budget Reconciliation bill, and the proposed changes could dramatically reshape how states run essential programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If passed, these changes could cause millions of disabled people, older adults, and low-income families to lose critical support. The federal government is proposing to expand work requirements for programs like Medicaid and SNAP.

This brief provides an analysis of the House-passed version of the Budget Reconciliation Bill as of June 6, 2025, incorporating updates from Senate committee text released through June 17, 2025. At the time of publication, the Senate has not yet finalized its full proposal. Additional changes are expected as the bill moves through the legislative process. This brief will be updated to include any major revisions that could affect the disability community.

We are pleased to share the successful conclusion of our 'Raising Awareness and Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Christian Community' project. This program was made possible through a Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. During this project, we consulted with four congregations in Michigan, Texas, Washington, and California.