Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

06/01/2026

Check out our friends at the ACL's Prize Challenge this summer!

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06/01/2026

Change often begins with everyday actions, conversations, and choices that make spaces more inclusive. A small step toward access or understanding can have a lasting impact.

05/26/2026

New resources from ThinkWork highlight how self-directed services can support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in reaching employment goals and strengthening community engagement.

The materials share ways to tailor supports, coordinate services like job coaching and transportation, and manage budgets based on individual needs.

Explore the resources: https://www.thinkwork.org/

05/25/2026

A five-year initiative at Gallaudet University focused on improving cancer prevention for ASL users is coming to a close, with continued efforts aimed at expanding accessible, language-inclusive care.

The work underscores how communication access plays a key role in health outcomes.

Read more: https://gallaudet.edu/deafhealth/as-major-cancer-prevention-project-winds-down-centers-efforts-to-save-lives-ramp-up/

05/20/2026

Researchers, Deaf leaders, and technologists are coming together to shape how artificial intelligence is developed for sign language, with a focus on accessibility, ethics, and Deaf leadership in decision-making.

The conversation highlights the importance of consent, accountability, and ensuring these technologies reflect the needs of Deaf communities.

Read more: https://gallaudet.edu/accessibility/where-gallaudet-stands-at-the-intersection-of-sign-language-and-artificial-intelligence/

05/19/2026

Incarceration and reentry can create additional barriers for people with disabilities, especially when access to services, supports, and community-based resources is limited.

This resource from the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy explores the intersection of disability, incarceration, and reentry, and highlights why coordinated supports matter for successful transitions back into the community.

Read more: https://heller.brandeis.edu/community-living-policy/clec/research/publications/titles/incarceration-reentry.html

05/18/2026

Matthew Shifrin, who is blind, created a way for people with low vision to independently build LEGO sets through accessible instructions.

His nonprofit, Bricks for the Blind, now offers free braille and screen reader–friendly guides for hundreds of sets, helping expand access to a widely shared activity.

Read more: https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/blind-man-made-low-vision-build-lego-sets-131760317

05/13/2026

Change starts with everyday actions. Creating more inclusive spaces takes intention, awareness, and a willingness to do things differently.

05/12/2026

After a West Virginia man died following repeated insurance denials for doctor-recommended cancer treatment, the state passed new legislation aimed at reducing delays tied to prior authorization.

The law allows certain patients to pursue alternative, medically appropriate treatments without restarting the approval process, reflecting growing concern about how insurance barriers can impact timely care.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/mans-death-insurance-denials-west-virginia-tackles-prior-authorization-rcna265540

05/11/2026

Access to behavioral health care remains out of reach for many communities, especially in areas with limited providers.

SAMHSA’s Advisory: Expanding Behavioral Health Teams in Care Deserts explores how team-based approaches can help close gaps in care, improve access, and better meet diverse community needs.

Read more: https://library.samhsa.gov/product/advisory-expanding-behavioral-health-teams-care-deserts/pep26-07-001