National Disability Rights Network

Good news: rights to Medicaid are being protected. Su***de crisis lines are better supporting autistic people. And history museums are becoming more accessible.

Why do these things matter? Because wins matter. With growing attacks on disability rights, joy is more important than ever. So we’re dedicated to bringing you disability joy every month.

This month, joy showed up as Medicaid rights, more inclusive care, and increasing disabled people’s access to history.

What good news have you learned recently?

🗞️ Read the stories:
1. Medicaid rights protected in Wisconsin: https://www.wispolitics.com/2026/disability-rights-wisconsin-lauds-ruling-on-rights-of-medicaid-recipients/ (Disability Rights Wisconsin)
2. 988 is changing to better support autistic people: https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-04-01/autistic-people-are-more-likely-to-experience-suicidal-crisis-988-is-changing-to-serve-them-better
3. Aariana Rose Philip, the first wheelchair user to attend the Met Gala: https://www.vogue.com/article/aariana-rose-philip-2026-met-gala
4. High schoolers fighting the bullying crisis against disabled students: https://www.masslive.com/westernmass/2026/05/how-13-high-schoolers-are-fighting-the-bullying-crisis-facing-students-with-disabilities.html
5. New tactile history tour for blind and low-vision visitors: https://constitutioncenter.org/about/press-room/in-the-news/alexander-hamilton-is-cocky-george-washington-owns-the-room-blind-and-low-vision-visitors-decode-1776-using-their-hands-in-a-new-tactile-tour

Foster care can provide connection, care, and emotional well-being for some children. But other children can experience trauma, neglect, and abuse in the foster care system. This is the case for many children with disabilities.

Protection and Advocacy agencies (P&As) hold child welfare systems accountable by:

☑️ challenging bias,
☑️ improving oversight, and
☑️ pushing for community living policies.

We’re grateful for the P&As working to protect some of the nation’s most vulnerable children:

Disability Rights Oregon
Disability Rights New Mexico
Native American Disability Law Center
Disability Rights Florida
Disability Rights Tennessee
Georgia Advocacy Office
Disability Rights North Carolina

Connect with your P&A to learn more: https://www.ndrn.org/about/ndrn-member-agencies/

⚠️ Content warning: descriptions of abuse against children with disabilities and mentions of self-harm and su***de.

School is not supposed to hurt. But students who experience dangerous restraint or seclusion are hurt every day.

A school in Kentucky tied an autistic child up in a bag.
A school in Indiana secluded a child for so long that the child tried to hang himself.
And in Florida, restraint and inclusion increased tantrums and anxiety for a student with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

It’s time to protect our students.

Tell Congress: end these dangerous practices in schools now. Ask your Congress member to pass the Keeping All Students Safe Act: https://secure.everyaction.com/yl-Yy7myo0O1vUTaw6P4Ig2.