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San Diego teacher creates ‘social justice league' for students with disabilities, ‘a forgotten minority'

Kristen Taketa

April 23, 2021 |

San Diego Union-Tribune |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

A teacher in San Diego took matters into her own hands when she couldn't find a social justice curriculum tailored to students with disabilities. That’s partly why she created what she calls the “Social Justice League,” a group of students at her school who meet weekly by Zoom and discuss a variety of issues, such as Native American land, gender privilege, the representation of disabilities in the media and systemic racism.

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Playgrounds Designed With Accessibility In Mind Make Play Fun for Every Kid

Marianne Dhenin

April 13, 2021 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Petersburg, Florida

Playground designers and city officials in St. Petersburg, Florida, have gone beyond the basic requirements mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to create a space that is truly inclusive. The park is “wheelchair accessible from bottom to top” and sets the standard for city parks that are focusing on more inclusivity.

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LEGO ramps could improve access for Philadelphians in wheelchairs

Michaela Haas

April 13, 2021 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Germany, Hanau

An ingenious use of LEGOs has resulted in colorful wheelchair ramps around the German town of Hanau. The ramps are constructed using thousands of tiny LEGOs that are glued together and are able to withstand the weight of electric wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers. Although the ramps don’t comply with official building and safety codes, they’ve proven to be helpful and have remained in use in Hanau.

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NYC's free pandemic child care program promised to prioritize students with disabilities. Why were so many turned away?

Alex Zimmerman

February 25, 2021 |

Chalkbeat |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

When the coronavirus pandemic shut down school buildings and led to many people working from home in New York City, a city child care program was launched to give children a place to go while they were learning from home. However, the program failed to accommodate children with disabilities who required the assistance of a paraprofessional. After realizing the gap in care, the city is now working to increase access.

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They Made a Revolutionary System to Protect People With Developmental Disabilities. Now It's Falling Apart.

Amy Silverman

December 12, 2020 |

ProPublica |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Arizona

In Arizona, state officials recruited individuals for volunteer committees to have oversight of the state Division of Developmental Disabilities that was responsible for caring for those with developmental disabilities. Although the program was initially successful and "helped Arizona earn its reputation as one of the best states in the country for the care of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities," in recent years, a series of resignations and increased workload have left some of the panels "barely functioning."

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Richmond art studio helps people with disabilities stay connected

Isabella Bloom

November 20, 2020 |

Richmond Confidential |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Nurturing Independence through Artistic Development provides classes and studio space for artists with disabilities. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the organization now offers six hours of daily virtual services to the 67 artists it serves, including sculpting, drawing, ceramics, and fashion making classes. Social activities, like bingo, cooking, meditation, and movement classes, are also offered online. The programming keeps the artists connected during the isolation of the pandemic and staff regularly text and call the artists who opt out of the virtual programming to maintain that connection.

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2020 was the first-ever presidential election where people cast votes via smartphone

Talib Visram

November 09, 2020 |

FastCompany |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Utah

2020 was the first presidential election where a limited group voted using a smartphone app created by Voatz, expanding access to people with disabilities, those in Covid-19 quarantine, and people out of state due to an emergency. Advocates say it is cost-effective and secure, though many disagree. Voters are biometrically identified and matched to legal records. Ballots are cast on mobile devices and stored on the blockchain until Election Day, when they are printed and counted with other mail-in ballots. Use is expected to increase in the future and pilots are planned in Brazil and other locations.

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For those with disabilities, shift to remote work has opened doors

Jingnan Peng Laura Kiesel

October 27, 2020 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in many businesses moving their operations to remote-based work, which has consequently expanded access and eliminated barriers for those with disabilities. Although working from home isn't a silver bullet to solving workplace barriers for people with accessibility needs, it has created an "unprecedented level of accessibility in their employment."

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Bus Stop Shakespeare

Dorota Salus

October 26, 2020 |

Transitions Online |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Poland, Gdansk

A program at the Gdansk Shakespeare Theater in Poland is creating job opportunities for people with Down syndrome after partnering with the city and a local foundation that supports job training and coaching for special-needs individuals. The project has not just benefited the participants – patrons of the company as well as other businesses are realizing "that people with Down syndrome who have the appropriate skills can prove themselves at work."

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The Work Is All Of Us

Kimberly Meyer

October 05, 2020 |

Texas Observer |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Texas

What started as an informal support group in Texas for undocumented workers who had been injured while working, has morphed into a mutual aid organization that helps connect immigrants and those who are uninsured with health necessities and resources. The group is unique in the U.S., as it advocates for both disability rights and immigrant rights, while also providing support for disaster relief efforts.

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