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A newly approved $1.7 trillion federal spending bill will bring more funding for special education while expanding access to ABLE accounts and addressing the use of electric shock on people with disabilities. The legislation, which funds the government through September, was signed by President Joe Biden just before the start of the new year. Read the full story HERE

Several new children’s books are being honored for highlighting the experiences of people with disabilities with a special set of awards handed out alongside the famed Newbery and Caldecott Medals. The American Library Association named three winners and four honorees this week of its annual Schneider Family Book Awards. Read the full story HERE

A preeminent activist who was instrumental in securing civil rights protections and reimagining life for people with disabilities has died. Judy Heumann, known as the “mother of the disability rights movement,” passed away Saturday at the age of 75 in Washington. Information posted to her personal website did not specify the cause. Read the full story HERE

The nation’s largest retailer is looking to be more welcoming to people with disabilities. Walmart said it will modify the shopping experience at most stores across the country during special times now through the beginning of the school year to be more accommodating to those with sensory issues. “We are striving every day to create a culture where everyone feels they belong,” Julie Barber, executive vice president of general merchandise at Walmart, said in a post announcing

Under a new rule, more people will soon qualify for Supplemental Security Income and some current beneficiaries will see their monthly payments increase, the Social Security Administration said. The changes will come under a  regulation  finalized recently broadening what counts as a “public assistance household.” The agency is expanding the definition to include households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, payments as well as households where not

A new proposal would offer up matching funds to encourage more people with disabilities to open special accounts that allow them to save money without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits. The federal government would offer a dollar-for-dollar match for new and existing ABLE accounts for people earning $28,000 or less each year under a bill recently introduced in the U.S. Senate. A similar measure has also been introduced in the House of Representatives. Read the

An independent federal agency says that the government’s failure to update asset limits associated with Supplemental Security Income and other programs is leaving people with disabilities in a tough spot. For decades, asset limits for government benefit programs have gone unchanged even as the cost of living has risen. As a result, individuals with disabilities are often hampered in their efforts to become more independent, according to a new  report  from the National Counci

When the blockbuster “Barbie” movie becomes available for streaming soon, it will offer a new level of accessibility for people with disabilities. The film will debut on Max next week complete with a special option to view it accompanied by American Sign Language interpretation. Read the full story here

With the new year, individuals with disabilities will be allowed to put aside more money than ever before in a special type of account that permits them to save without jeopardizing their government benefits. The Internal Revenue Service said that the federal gift tax exclusion increased to $18,000 effective at the start of this month. The annual deposit limit for ABLE accounts is tied to that measure, so it will rise as well. Read the full story HERE