thisfinecrew | Entries tagged with disability

The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) have a proxy caller system:

https://bsky.app/profile/autisticadvocacy.org/post/3lkjjufrql22x
https://proxycaller.org/

If you can't make phone calls because of disability, you can request that a volunteer make a call on an issue covered by one of ASAN's action alerts (generally disability and health-related) and provide a script for them. If you can make phone calls, you can sign up as a volunteer.

tanaqui

A friend in the indie publishing world has put together a bundle of cozy fantasy ebooks that you can get for free if you contact your elected representatives to encourage them to support keeping/passing legislation that improves life for disabled people.

Contact your representatives on behalf of disability rights anywhere between now and March 31.
Send a screenshot or forward a copy to CozyBookBundle@gmail.com.
When the books become available in March, we’ll reply with your download link!

Although prompted by events in the US, this a worldwide offer, open to anyone who contacts the elected officials in their country who influence disability rights legislation and policy.

Full details at https://lynnstrong.com/bundles/

petra

S. 2767: SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act doesn't actually eliminate the savings penalty for people on Supplemental Security Income, but it would raise the limit from the $2000 per single individual implemented in 1972 [sic] to $10,000, and remove the penalty for couples.

( My letter )

minoanmiss

https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2023/03/dea-proposes-new-telehealth-prescribing-rules

Fortunately there's a public comment period until March 31

https://www.regulations.gov/document/DEA-2023-0029-0001/comment

redbird

There is a proposal to change federal regulations so that getting help with groceries or food does not lead to benefits cuts. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ssi-in-kind-support-maintenance_n_63ebf926e4b022eb3e32f2d6?jil

There is a mandatory public comment period and they need positive comments from US people on why this is a good idea. Note: your name will be attached to the public comment.

The deadline for comments is April 17

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/02/15/2023-02731/omitting-food-from-in-kind-support-and-maintenance-calculations

My comment was about not having to calculate the value of soup I took to a grieving friend, and the importance of shared meals as part of community.

rydra_wong

https://thearc.org/blog/the-arc-supports-bill-to-allow-people-with-disabilities-to-earn-and-save-more-money/

Contact your reps!

For your re-Tumblring convenience: https://wishiwould.tumblr.com/post/684637268191936512

jazzyjj

Hi all. I wanted to share a link, while I have a brief moment. The following website is regarding the caregiver system for people with disabilities. It is Illinois-specific, but I'm sure they're taking signatures from people outside Illinois. It is not known at this time how this shortage will impact me, if it will impact me at all. My situation is a bit unique. Anybody wishing to know the details of my situation please feel free to post a comment, as I don't have time right now. But the website is http://www.theydeservemore.com .

beatrice_otter

Currently, in the US, federal law allows disabled people to be paid sub-minimum wages under certain conditions. That's right, disabled people can be paid less than the minimum wage, and it's perfectly legal! This exception was carved out of the minimum wage back when it was first implemented, because obviously nobody would ever be willing to pay disabled people a living wage, amirite? And they should be grateful to have any job at all, amirite? 😱

There is currently a bill before congress called the The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA), which would end the discriminatory practice of subminimum wage, and give states and service providers the resources they need to create better employment support programs.

If you would like to contact your members of congress to encourage them to support TCIEA, the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network has a handy widget to help you email them.

tassosss

It's been a hell of a week. News on the Impeachment trial is grim, and makes it all the more imperative to make sure Trump is a one-term president in 2020. Meanwhile, to all our friends in the UK, we're with you as Brexit takes effect.

Take care of each other out there.

New Action Items
Oppose Change to Social Security Disability Rules
Massachusetts: Indigenous Peoples' Agenda

Info You Can Use
Election Resources Roundup - a list of organizations working on election issues for 2020
Fandom Trumps Hate 2020 - creator signups are now open and run until 31 Jan

How's everyone doing?

Poll #23374 This week

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 9

View Respondents

View Answers

called my one senator
3 (50.0%)

called my other senator
3 (50.0%)

called my representative
2 (33.3%)

called my governor
0 (0.0%)

sent a postcard/email/letter/fax
3 (50.0%)

attended a town hall
0 (0.0%)

donated money to a cause
3 (50.0%)

attended an in-person activist group
0 (0.0%)

participated in phone/online training
0 (0.0%)

View Answers

went to a protest
0 (0.0%)

signed up for alerts
2 (28.6%)

worked for a campaign
0 (0.0%)

did textbanking/phonebanking
0 (0.0%)

took care of myself
6 (85.7%)

not a US citizen but worked in solidarity in my own community
1 (14.3%)

did something else
4 (57.1%)

committed to action in the coming week
1 (14.3%)

redbird

The proposed rule change would increase the frequency of "reviews" of Social Security disability benefits--i.e., take away people's benefits. If you can submit a public comment, they're required to consider each individual comment; they may not care, but those comments could be useful when a lawsuit is filed to block the damn thing. The public comment period ends on Friday, January 31.

ProgressAmerica has a "take action" link, with suggested wording. is here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/act-now-protect-social-security-oppose-the-trump-administrations-cruel-policy
As always, for public comments it's important to at least rephrase the suggested wording, whether or not you add anything. (I made mine personal, talking about someone I know who this might harm.)

Formally, this is Docket No. SSA-2018-0026; Rules Regarding the Frequency and Notice of Continuing Disability Reviews

tanaqui

How is it September already? I hope you're all having a good Labor Day weekend and that anyone in the path of Hurricane Dorian stays safe.

We've had a few new actions in the past couple of weeks that are listed below. And with another mass shooting in Texas yesterday, our ongoing actions relating to gun control are still sadly relevant. As, of course, are our our actions relating to migrants and refugees, with reports of further ways people are being targeted and mistreated.

Please also tell us in the comments what you've been doing! It's great to hear about all the amazing things our members are involved in and a chance for you to inspire others to join in.

New Actions

Use #Nogoatsnoregistries To Push Back Against Calls For Institutions, Registries
Planned Parenthood Has Been Forced Out Of The Title X Program
Take The Senate (Fund)

Ongoing Actions

Action: Comment Against Snap Rule Change
Some gun control resources (in a previous check in post)
Help Sleeping Giants contact firms profiting off of concentration camps
Suggested Things To Do For/About U.S. Concentration Camps
More Organizations To Support Helping Kids In Concentration Camps
Acting Locally To Help Immigrants And Refugees

So, what have you all been up to in the last week or are planning to get involved in next week?

Poll #22580 The Week

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 10

View Respondents

This week, I...

View Answers

called my one senator
0 (0.0%)

called my other senator
0 (0.0%)

called my representative
1 (10.0%)

called my governor
0 (0.0%)

called my state reps
0 (0.0%)

sent a postcard/email/letter/fax
1 (10.0%)

attended a town hall
0 (0.0%)

donated money to a cause
3 (30.0%)

attended an in-person activist group
1 (10.0%)

participated in phone/online training
0 (0.0%)

went to a protest
2 (20.0%)

signed up for alerts
1 (10.0%)

worked for a campaign
0 (0.0%)

did textbanking/phonebanking
0 (0.0%)

took care of myself
4 (40.0%)

not a US citizen but worked in solidarity in my own community
6 (60.0%)

did something else
1 (10.0%)

committed to action in the coming week
2 (20.0%)

untonuggan

ICYMI, Trump has been calling for reopening institutions and creating registries of mentally ill people. There is a campaign to resist this.

Background info here

Call to action here

tassosss

Rallies against Separations of Families were held this week. The current immigration policy to separate kids from parents at the border is one of the most appalling policies in recent memory. Congress is trying to pass an act to prevent it, but they need Republicans to sign on. If you call about one thing this week, that's the most urgent one.

Current Actions
Keep Families Together Act -- call on your Congress people to support it
Senate attempting to sneak in another copyright extension
GoFundMe for arrested ADAPT protestors

Next Election: June 26 -- Colorado -- Maryland -- New York -- Oklahoma --- Utah

teaotter will be posting the upcoming dates for various states for the rest of the season (thank you,

teaotter!), but you can also find out what's going on in your state at Ballotpedia.

Information

Good news: Our 43rd state house flip! -- the importance in voting in state and local elections!

Ongoing Actions -- General

Call your Reps about the Census
Protect the Americans with Disabilities Act -- Call your senators
Action: SNAP benefits -- the comment period is closed, but you may still want to contact your reps about this to help move it up their agendas.
Planning Ahead in Case of Mueller Firing
Information and organizing to end police violence
Racial Justice Toolkit (see comments for a shorter link)
Information on the Poor People's Campaign, an anti-poverty campaign.

Ongoing Actions -- Elections

Make a difference in the 2018 Midterms - organization organizing for all levels of elections
District funds for the mid-terms
Support progressive Congressional candidates in competitive rural districts
Information on State Primary Dates and list of pro-NRA Republicans who are vulnerable

( Housekeeping )

So, what have you all been up to in the last week or are planning to get involved in next week?

Poll #20108 This week I

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 10

View Respondents

View Answers

called my one senator
7 (77.8%)

called my other senator
5 (55.6%)

called my representative
3 (33.3%)

called my governor
1 (11.1%)

called my state reps
1 (11.1%)

sent a postcard/email/letter/fax
4 (44.4%)

attended a town hall
1 (11.1%)

donated money to a cause
4 (44.4%)

attended an in-person activist group
1 (11.1%)

participated in phone/online training
2 (22.2%)

View Answers

went to a protest
3 (37.5%)

signed up for alerts
3 (37.5%)

took care of myself
4 (50.0%)

not a US citizen but worked in solidarity in my own community
0 (0.0%)

did something else
2 (25.0%)

committed to action in the coming week
4 (50.0%)

tanaqui

https://www.gofundme.com/adapt-warriors-in-indiana-jail

30 ADAPT Warriors were arrested this morning in Indiana where they held a non violent demonstration to stop the shock and torture of disabled people at the Judge Rotenberg Center. They went to the Indianapolis home of HHS Secretary (US) Alex Azar to demand that he tell FDA to release the regulations that would stop the shock.

Indianapolis police are putting power chair users in manual chairs for transit and threatening 36 hour holds with fines for storing power chairs. Even if they are lying about storage costs, Indianapolis has one of the country's most repressive police and criminal justice systems. Fines and Legal fees are excessive and ADAPTers have to change travel bookings and pay those penalties as well.

Please give all that you can to help with legal fines, equipment and travel costs.

ADAPT is "a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom."

tanaqui

This week, it seems the minority president thought he was back on The Apprentice, with numerous people hearing "You're fired!" (Let's hope lots of those firings come back to bite him in the Mueller investigation.)

In the comm, we've been carrying on with

elucidate_this's great idea for Giving up on Giving Up for Lent. Thanks to

nanila for making this week's Check In Post, and to the members who've inspired us by sharing what they're doing.

New Actions

Protect the Americans with Disabilities Act -- Call your senators

Ongoing Actions

Make a difference in the 2018 Midterms - organization organizing for all levels of elections
March 24: March for Our Lives - Gun control protest in Washington DC and local communities
Boycott the NRA - contact streaming media companies to ask them to drop NRATV
District funds for the mid-terms

Housekeeping (the usual stuff)
Reminder that we now have a Friending Meme and a (locked) post where you can connect with others with live in the same area. We hope you find both of these posts useful!

We also have a suggestion post if there’s a topic that you’d like to see discussed but would like to ask the mods to look into. This can be anything from general information, or a how-to-do-a-thing, or something you may want to discuss as a community. Folks are welcome to post directly to the comm as always, but if you’re not comfortable/don’t have spoons, we can help too.

As we don't always get the time to pull things out of the suggestions post into their own separate posts, it may be worth checking every week (or tracking the post) to see if there's any new information you're interested in.

Also if you need help with tags, PM

redbird, who is our tag guru. Both

tassosss and I are very grateful for the help.

So, what have you all been up to in the last week or are planning to get involved in next week?

Poll #19671 The Week

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 5

View Respondents

This Week, I...

View Answers

called my one senator
0 (0.0%)

called my other senator
0 (0.0%)

called my representative
0 (0.0%)

called my governor
0 (0.0%)

called my state reps
0 (0.0%)

sent a postcard/email/letter/fax
1 (20.0%)

attended a town hall
0 (0.0%)

donated money to a cause
2 (40.0%)

attended an in-person activist group
1 (20.0%)

participated in phone/online training
1 (20.0%)

went to a protest
0 (0.0%)

signed up for alerts
0 (0.0%)

took care of myself
3 (60.0%)

not a US citizen but worked in solidarity in my own community
0 (0.0%)

did something else
2 (40.0%)

committed to action in the coming week
1 (20.0%)

tassosss

The House just passed H.R. 620 to drastically weaken the ADA.
It's time to light up your Senators phones to make sure this does not pass.

http://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/373546-rolling-back-the-civil-rights-of-the-disabled-harms-us-all

The ADA, which passed in 1990 with overwhelming bipartisan support, was carefully crafted to balance the concerns of businesses with the need to ensure access for people with disabilities. It did not require costly retrofitting of buildings built before the ADA; businesses were required to remove barriers in those buildings where that could be done without significant difficulty or expense. But the law contemplated that businesses that could easily remove barriers would do so. They would be accessible when people with disabilities showed up at the door, to shop, to obtain services, and to work. If H.R. 620 were to pass, many more people with disabilities would encounter barriers when they showed up and getting in would require a long and arduous process.

That’s because H.R. 620 would eliminate any incentive for businesses to comply with the ADA proactively. A business that did not comply would face no consequence until after it received a legal notice from a person with a disability who was harmed, detailing the specific violation of the law. And then the business would have six months to do something about it and would merely be required to make “substantial progress” in removing barriers, instead of actually providing access.

Emphasis mine.

Quick script

-- I am strongly against HR 620 and please tell [Senator] not to vote for it.
-- HR 620 functionally legalizes discrimination against Americans with disabilities by allowing businesses to get away with barring access
-- It's not just a "people in wheelchairs" problem - disability and mobility issues affect parents with strollers, the elderly, and those injured - conditions that the majority of Americans will have at some point in their lives. (I realize this is potentially an ableist point, but disabled infrastructure helps more than just the chronically disabled and you're potentially trying to convince someone who doesn't give a shit about disabled people. Take or leave as you see fit.)

tassosss

This week the survivors of the Florida High School shooting have kept the gun debate in the news. I'm so proud of these kids and there's lots of ways to support them and the gun control movement.

Also,

elucidate_this has given up on giving up for Lent. Everyday she's going to do something toward not giving up. Lent ends on March 31st, so if you'd like to participate give a holler at the post. If you like the idea but can't commit to every day, consider pledging to do something a couple times a week or for X number of days. I'll add a mid-week check-in for that for additional encouragement, and if folks like the model, we can perhaps do monthly action challenge.

Actions
Make a difference in the 2018 Midterms - organization organizing for all levels of elections
March 24: March for Our Lives - Gun control protest in Washington DC and local communities
Boycott the NRA - phone numbers and links for companies to write or call, use Twitter to contact companies

From last week but still relevant
District funds for the mid-terms

To Call Your Senator About
The House Voted to weaken the Americans with Disabilities Act (Newsweek)

Housekeeping (the usual stuff)
Reminder that we now have a Friending Meme and a (locked) post where you can connect with others with live in the same area. We hope you find both of these posts useful!

We also have a suggestion post if there’s a topic that you’d like to see discussed but would like to ask the mods to look into. This can be anything from general information, or a how-to-do-a-thing, or something you may want to discuss as a community. Folks are welcome to post directly to the comm as always, but if you’re not comfortable/don’t have spoons, we can help too.

As we don't always get the time to pull things out of the suggestions post into their own separate posts, it may be worth checking every week (or tracking the post) to see if there's any new information you're interested in.

Also if you need help with tags, PM

redbird, who is our tag guru. Both

tanaqui and I are very grateful for the help.

So, what have you all been up to in the last week or are planning to get involved in next week?

Poll #19557 This week

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 9

View Respondents

View Answers

called my one senator
2 (33.3%)

called my other senator
1 (16.7%)

called my representative
2 (33.3%)

called my governor
0 (0.0%)

called my state reps
1 (16.7%)

sent a postcard/email/letter/fax
3 (50.0%)

attended a town hall
0 (0.0%)

onated money to a cause
2 (33.3%)

attended an in-person activist group
2 (33.3%)

participated in phone/online training
0 (0.0%)

View Answers

went to a protest
1 (16.7%)

signed up for alerts
2 (33.3%)

took care of myself
3 (50.0%)

not a US citizen but worked in solidarity in my own community
0 (0.0%)

did something else
5 (83.3%)

committed to action in the coming week
3 (50.0%)

tassosss

We had a 6 hours shutdown this week, and more memo drama. But CHIP is now funded for 10 years, and the budget caps have been lifted for both military and domestic spending.

Actions
lizcommotion has a number of items here on:
Washington State changing service animal laws
Supporting indiginous people in Saskatchewan
techniques to fight dehumanization of immigrants
techniques to fight dehumanization of trans people
Congress is planning on weakening Americans with Disabilities Act
Virginia is moving to end the tampon tax
Sex Workers Outreach Project behind bars has a letter writing campaign

Leftover from last week which are still relevant
Toolkits for responding to the State of the Union address

Feel displeased by Devin Nunes? Donate to Andrew Janz!

Housekeeping (the usual stuff)
Reminder that we now have a Friending Meme and a (locked) post where you can connect with others with live in the same area. We hope you find both of these posts useful!

We also have a suggestion post if there’s a topic that you’d like to see discussed but would like to ask the mods to look into. This can be anything from general information, or a how-to-do-a-thing, or something you may want to discuss as a community. Folks are welcome to post directly to the comm as always, but if you’re not comfortable/don’t have spoons, we can help too.

As we don't always get the time to pull things out of the suggestions post into their own separate posts, it may be worth checking every week (or tracking the post) to see if there's any new information you're interested in.

Also if you need help with tags, PM

redbird, who is our tag guru. Both

tanaqui and I are very grateful for the help.

So, what have you all been up to in the last week or are planning to get involved in next week?

Poll #19484 This week I

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 7

View Respondents

View Answers

called my one senator
4 (66.7%)

called my other senator
3 (50.0%)

called my representative
4 (66.7%)

called my governor
0 (0.0%)

sent a postcard/email/letter/fax
2 (33.3%)

attended a town hall
0 (0.0%)

donated money to a cause
4 (66.7%)

attended an in-person activist group
0 (0.0%)

participated in phone/online training
0 (0.0%)

went to a protest
0 (0.0%)

View Answers

signed up for alerts
1 (25.0%)

took care of myself
2 (50.0%)

not a US citizen but worked in solidarity in my own community
1 (25.0%)

did something else
2 (50.0%)

committed to action in the coming week
1 (25.0%)

untonuggan

There's a detailed write-up over on my alter-ego, but basically Washington State thought now would be a great time to try to make life harder for service animal handlers.

Because clearly the best solution is for the police to be able to stop and fine any service animal handler at any time, amirite?

Background info, links to bill text, who to contact, and scripts are all here.

Trying to get this info to as many voters in Washington State as possible.

Additional action items I am personally focusing on right now:

Showing up for Indigenous people in the wake of the acquittal of Coulton Boushie's killer in Saskatchewan. Information about ways to do this (both in person and remotely) can be found on this thread. If you are an in-person-events kind of person, you can find/share info on this thread

Here is a really good thread about fighting dehumanization of immigrants in the current political climate, because it's easier to commit violence against dehumanized groups. I would just add that these humanizing strategies work for any marginalized community that is typically dehumanized. These are low-key things you can throw into conversations with your family and friends.

Similarly, one of the ways TERFs dehumanize trans people is to talk about this stereotype that "testosterone makes you violent." This is, in fact, scientifically not true (we totally just think it is, basically.) Here are some studies about that. Maybe share some of the links below the tweet with your science nerd friends to help get the word out?

Finally, a BIG one for me personally. US Congress is voting soon on legislation that would weaken the ADA. Information here. Also visit Rooted in Rights directly for some social media activism campaigns on this issue. #HandsOffMyADA #HR620

In Virginia (and some other locations too, check your area!) there's a bill moving forward to end the state tampon tax. There are also versions of the bill that would make it easier to access tampons in prisons and schools. More info here, I have not yet contacted my legislator because I am a tired person. (Note: ciscentric language in this article about it.)

If you like to write letters and are looking for low-energy political actions, SWOP Behind Bars has a prison pen pal program that allows for both one-time and multiple-letter type pen pals. They also have a lot of other ways to get involved.

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Never Give Up, Never Surrender

June 2025

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Page Summary

rydra_wong - If you can't make phone calls -- or if you can
tanaqui - Free bundle of cozy fantasy ebooks when you contact your reps about disability rights
petra - Action: Contact Senators regarding S. 2767: SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act
minoanmiss - DEA Proposes New Telehealth Prescribing Rules
redbird - proposed positive change to SSI rules
rydra_wong - Hey, this bill would let disabled people do things like get married without losing SSI!
jazzyjj - They Deserve More: A Campaign About Disability Rights
beatrice_otter - End sub-minimum wages for people with disabilities
tassosss - Weekly Check in February 2
redbird - Action: oppose change to social security disability rules
tanaqui - Check In 1 September
untonuggan - Use #NoGoatsNoRegisties to push back against calls for institutions, registries
tassosss - Weekly Check in June 17
tanaqui - GoFundMe for arrested ADAPT protestors
tanaqui - Weekly Check In March 18
tassosss - Action: Protect the Americans With Disabilities Act
tassosss - Weekly Check in Feb 25
tassosss - Weekly Check in Feb 11
untonuggan - Washington State voter engagement needed + list of actions big and smol

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Never Give Up, Never Surrender

Links and Positive Action for the next Four Years

Entries tagged with disability

If you can't make phone calls -- or if you can

Free bundle of cozy fantasy ebooks when you contact your reps about disability rights

Action: Contact Senators regarding S. 2767: SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act

DEA Proposes New Telehealth Prescribing Rules

proposed positive change to SSI rules

Hey, this bill would let disabled people do things like get married without losing SSI!

They Deserve More: A Campaign About Disability Rights

End sub-minimum wages for people with disabilities

Weekly Check in February 2

Action: oppose change to social security disability rules

Check In 1 September

Use #NoGoatsNoRegisties to push back against calls for institutions, registries

Weekly Check in June 17

GoFundMe for arrested ADAPT protestors

Weekly Check In March 18

Action: Protect the Americans With Disabilities Act

Weekly Check in Feb 25

Weekly Check in Feb 11

Washington State voter engagement needed + list of actions big and smol

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June 2025

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