Weekly Edition - 4.1.25

Life hangs in the balance. Advocates sound alarms on "disastrous" Social Security changes, disabled citizens face deadly police encounters, Medi-Cal protections crumble under pressure, while one father builds the autism parent network he couldn't find when he needed it most.

Stronger Together: Help others stay informed by sharing this newsletter. Forward this email or share our newsletter (copy URL here).

Got thoughts? We’d love to hear from you at [email protected]

The Big Idea

This week’s featured story: a closer look at developments making waves in the I/DD community

🪪 Social Security blinks. After intense criticism, the agency announced Wednesday it would exempt certain vulnerable groups from a controversial policy requiring in-person identity verification for benefits.

The policy, originally scheduled to take effect March 31, would have forced beneficiaries to verify their identity online or visit a field office to access benefits or update direct deposit information. Disability advocates immediately sounded the alarm about how this would create insurmountable barriers for millions, particularly those with disabilities and individuals unable to access field offices.

In response to the backlash, Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek announced the updated policy will exempt Americans seeking disability benefits, supplemental income, or Medicare. These individuals can still verify their identity over the phone. However, those applying for retirement, survivor, or auxiliary benefits will still face the no-phone verification requirement when the revised policy begins April 14.

Disability advocates warn this partial reversal doesn't address deeper systemic issues at the agency. Staff reductions of up to 12%, closure of 47 field offices, and a 60% reduction in regional offices are creating a perfect storm that threatens access to critical benefits. For millions of Americans with disabilities and older adults, these benefits represent their primary source of income for essentials like housing, food, and healthcare.

If you would like to read more about these important changes affecting the disability community, check out the original article.

Moments That Matter

Celebrating the everyday victories, breakthrough achievements, and inspiring individuals

👨‍🦱Fathers find support at autism conference. After abandoning his son for years following an autism diagnosis, Jamiel Owens now leads CHOP's Autism Fathers Conference, creating space for dads to connect through shared experiences. The April 5 event at Malvern's Vanguard School offers community, resources, and expert presentations for just $10, including meals and shuttle service from SEPTA. "We come from different backgrounds, but the basis that brings us together is two things, the autism diagnosis itself and the love that we have for our children," explains Owens, who found that returning to fatherhood taught him patience and compassion. If you would like to read more, check out the original article.

Across The Nation

From Capitol Hill to community centers: the national updates shaping our collective future

🧑‍🦯A blind veteran was detained for carrying a cane. Jim Hodges, legally blind and a disabled Navy veteran, was walking home from jury duty when deputies mistook his navigation aid for a firearm. Despite showing his cane, officers still demanded ID and arrested him for "resisting," keeping him jailed for 26 hours. This case highlights a nationwide problem where invisible disabilities like blindness or deafness create dangerous law enforcement encounters. Progress is emerging through new training programs—Alabama and Oregon now include blind and deaf instructors at police academies, while Texas allows drivers to disclose communication difficulties during vehicle registration. Watch video below.

👪 An Orange County family fears for their future. The Hübers of Lake Forest, whose 19-year-old daughter Leah requires constant care for Down syndrome and a rare form of epilepsy, are terrified by a congressional proposal to slash $880 billion from Medicaid funding. Without Medi-Cal covering medical visits, equipment, medications, and hospitalizations, they would need at least $10,000 monthly to meet Leah's basic needs. Local healthcare providers share this alarm—Dr. Eric Ball warns the cuts would devastate children's hospitals where Medi-Cal provides 30-90% of revenue, triggering medical bankruptcies and public health crises as preventable conditions go untreated. Despite polls showing only 17% of Americans favor reducing Medicaid funding, families like Kim Doyle's, whose daughter has undergone 18 surgeries covered by Medi-Cal, are mobilizing to fight. "Medi-Cal is a life-or-death issue for us," she emphasizes. If you would like to read more, check out the original article by clicking the link.