Explaining Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA), The Trump Administration’s Recent Actions on DEIA, and the Impact on Disabled Americans

https://www.aapd.com/explaining-deia-recent-actions/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--T-xS1xsdRVYzXS70jd__zYnFQf9262AFHApauGbvahsWlz3ln9avO38wZVANKMeCyVEkGph6cf5DgiHD1sfBbcWZdIg&_hsmi=352920979&utm_content=352920979&utm_source=hs_email Disability rights under attack The disability community has been on edge since President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The administration has targeted accessibility, but the main focus of their ire has been curbing other diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Maybe this is changing? Here are two disability-related items for your consideration: Universities fear Trump is using lucrative research grants as leverage to dismantle their DEI programs ‘The point is to get these institutions to back down,’ said a former HHS general counsel https://www.statnews.com/2025/01/30/trump-executive-orders-pressure-universities-to-end-dei-programs/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9KlSwtQs7WqfIdKhPuOyfmTyL84Ka3-9uKhbAWdh54StK6BjVJW2bO_61zlR1w0Vu5KPzUZyQoNIgCLn3fxWH7FERsGA&_hsmi=352920979&utm_content=352920979&utm_source=hs_email The Department of Justice rescinded documents Wednesday that provided guidance on how to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act. The documents helped institutions navigate disability rights concerning hospital visits, employees wearing masks and their rights during the Covid-19 pandemic. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-actions-combat-cost-living-crisis-including-rescinding-11?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_CHpLtTjflDLDFjeko08TzBQy4Gy69sHu4iETjwH37lw4P05NQcgr6EqYOveLpyJoXgGVxHwmGV596EwIzTarsW_bMLg&_hsmi=352920979&utm_content=352920979&utm_source=hs_email Last fall, 17 states filed a lawsuit alleging that Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 — a cornerstone of disability rights legislation — was unconstitutional. Disability advocates have picked up their public opposition to Texas v. Becerra in recent months, saying it could prove catastrophic for Americans with disabilities. To learn more about how this suit could possibly torpedo the federal government’s ability to secure rights for people with disabilities, check out my conversation with Claudia Center, legal director of the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69200578/1/state-of-texas-v-becerra/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8x5ydGt3FJSF4z9EEQl3m9yxYjhfz3KKYB2MTxOajGrJ0kpFvLuK0MGSSKltm6EnIKxWjr6G2YZuf5WGCeskIsFl6iLw&_hsmi=352920979&utm_content=352920979&utm_source=hs_email ‘Dangerous’ lawsuit could imperil disability rights, advocates say Texas and 16 other state attorneys general filed the lawsuit in 2024 https://www.statnews.com/2025/03/21/texas-vs-becerra-lawsuit-could-imperil-disability-rights-advocates-worry/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_bX_XOSaHFY7bhsCb0rv9bWOzvqloYn5OtZsbuAm0SF2gSv52CatnrL-Y4tDoJcwVzgzUEwTMPvHjDt8ByLrswjlzM-Q&_hsmi=352920979&utm_content=352920979&utm_source=hs_email