DOJ joins lawsuit to eliminate integration mandate
Texas v. Kennedy In its latest move to undermine the legal foundations of the community integration mandate for disabled people, […]
Author Archives: Access Press Staff
Researchers investigate the role of autoantibodies and COVID-19
For some people, COVID-19 symptoms might not go away after the infection; this is known as Long COVID. It’s generally […]
Minnesota strengthens accommodation rights under Human Rights Act
On August 1, Minnesotans with disabilities gained vital legal ground. Long-awaited amendments to the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) officially […]
After summer heat delay, Minnesota Disability Pride Festival set for Sept. 17
The fourth annual Disability Pride Festival gets underway at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on Sept. 17, following […]
Disabilities Count
Publications and speakers use a lot of figures to describe the population of people with disabilities, in the world and […]
Serve disability needs, not social norms
“I dislike the language of ‘accommodations’ for the same reason I dislike the language of ‘tolerance’ — because it implies […]
Getting together was great!
The latest Access Press get-together, on August 6 at Surly Brewing in Minneapolis, brought out a crowd of readers, activists, […]
Using assistive technology to increase independence
A 2024 grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services helped Dakota County expand the use of assistive technology for […]
Historic thoughts on disability pride
“Disability is not a brave struggle or courage in the face of adversity. Disability is an art. It’s an ingenious […]
Opinions on Medicaid work requirements vary
Political arguments about tying work requirements to public assistance benefits have a long history. Consider the arguments offered by these […]
The Kyle Pease Foundation is redefining inclusion on the racecourse
The finish line of a marathon offers an unmatched mix of achievement and relief. For runner Therese Kuvaas, however, crossing […]
Disability organizations across Minnesota and U.S. rally against DOJ memo on community living
A recent U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) legal memo has sparked widespread backlash across the disability rights community by challenging […]
Disability Pride in September!
“I rock the X-tra Chromosome!” “Can’t hide my disability pride.” “We are ALL equal.” “Perfectly perfect” “Proud to BE” Because […]
Adventure for All
Last month, Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources published this bulletin about the incredible variety of outdoor resources accessible to all. […]
Wildfire smoke: Hazardous breathing conditions
Since yesterday, the widespread forest fires in the Boundary Waters and Canada have created unsafe air quality throughout the upper […]
Minnesota Disability Pride events
Communities across the Twin Cities metro and Greater Minnesota have organized an expansive calendar of accessible spaces for connection, culture, […]
Heat means added risk for people with disabilities
Just a heads-up: the forecast for a week of hot, humid weather means we need to be extra mindful of […]
Catching COVID-19 multiple times increases risk of Long COVID
Some people may think that COVID-19 is a thing of the past. There has even been a dangerous myth that […]
AAPD President Maria Town speaks with PBS about DOJ’s integration mandate opinion
The US Department of Justice issued an opinion on June 18, 2026 calling into question decades of protections for Americans […]
U.S. announces plan to move special education to Health and Human Services
Many education and disability rights organizations are publishing reactions today to the announcement yesterday, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, of the […]
Attention must be paid. What the plan to move special ed means for parents and disabled students
Attention must be paid. Special ed parent and teacher Eric Phangrath: “Don’t panic, but pay close attention. Your child’s rights […]
Immune dysfunction in Long COVID, POTS, and ME/CFS
In this video, Dr. Kara Wada discusses new research on certain conditions that have often been mis-classified as “psychiatric disorders,” […]
DHS review of HCBS providers: 1,000+ disenrolled
The Department of Human Services (DHS) made an agreement with the federal government to revalidate more than 5,500 high-risk Medicaid […]
You do have your own superpowers
Good summer read for special needs kiddos and families. Levi Lifts Off, by Minnesota author Daniel Bot. See the article […]
National Institutes of Health (NIH) released strategic plan for disability health research
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released its Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research. This agency-wide plan outlines a […]
Minnesota Legislature passes bill to strengthen disability accommodations
In a significant victory for the disability community, the Minnesota Legislature has officially passed Senate File 3210 (SF 3210). The […]
The “Disability Burden” of Long COVID in the U.S.
Dr. Karen Bonuck and a team of medical researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine recently published a study […]
Administration aims to penalize disabled adults who llve with their families
ProPublica reports that a rule change being promoted by “White House officials would slash benefits or end support for as […]
Several states bypass federal government to join global disease network
In a break from the federal government, the public health departments of three states and New York City have directly […]
Best practices for accommodating hearing loss at public meetings and events
The Great Lakes ADA Center recently shared an article by Jennifer Skulski, “Yes, You Need to Use the Microphone,” on […]
This Friday, May 8! Deadline for public comment!
Your chance to comment on the draft 2026 Olmstead Plan from the Minnesota Olmstead Implementation Office is open online until […]
Joybubbles
Another great film at #MSPIFF, the 45th annual Minneapolis St Paul International Film Festival. On April 12 and 14, #Joybubbles, […]
Come Talk to ME
April 11 is #WorldParkinsonDay, and at 4:10 p.m. at the Main Theater in Minneapolis (115 SE Main St), you can […]
Plain Language in education
“Plain language should be used more in education because everyone can benefit, and it is easy to use.” So says […]
Understanding disabilities in American Indian and Alaska Native communities
At Access Press, our logo represents the statistic that often surprises people: 1 in 4 Americans live with a disability. […]
Team USA Caps off the 2026 Paralympic Games with a historic sled hockey win
The United States once again proved that it has the best Paralympic sled hockey team in the world. They beat […]
Join the Access Press community for happy hour!
Join us for a fun and relaxed Happy Hour on April 23 from 5:00-7:00 PM at King Coil Spirits in […]
Tuesday March 24 10 AM: Disability Services Day!
See the full guide, “Everything to Know Before You Go,” at MOHR.org. See you there!
DOJ gives VA authority to move vets into guardianship
Our article this month on the 1946 push for mental health reform was a History Note, looking at World War […]
Allina Health + Sutter Health = ?
Planned not-a-merger combination of Allina Health with California’s Sutter Health system. Allina’s unions “just learned” the news. How about Courage […]
Lyft drivers may not cancel or refuse a rider with a service animal
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights reached a settlement with Lyft requiring the company to strengthen its policies and driver […]
Access Press Weekly: Medicaid Changes, Political Punishment, Developmental Disabilities Awareness
Weekly Newsletter for March 5, 2026 Our new once-a-week newsletter brings you the latest disability news across Minnesota, delivering content […]
Minnesota’s finest ready for 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
In less than a week, the world’s elite adaptive athletes will meet in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, for the […]
Minnesota Athletes in 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
From Friday March 6 to Sunday March 15, the world’s elite adaptive athletes will meet in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, […]
Federal SAVE Act threatens voting access for Minnesotans with disabilities
How did you vote in 2024? Not who did you vote for: how did you vote? Did you vote by […]
In Memoriam: Remembering Deb Holtz, lifelong disability rights advocate
Debra “Deb” Holtz, a dedicated attorney, educator, and fierce advocate for the Minnesota disability community, passed away on February 4, […]
Radio Talking Book – March 2026
Radio Talking Book schedule as a downloadable PDF This year, Access Press is publishing each month’s Radio Talking Book schedule […]
Access Press Weekly: Minnesota’s 2026 Paralympians, ICE Impact, Gaps in Care for Disabled Patients
Weekly Newsletter for February 26, 2026 Our new once-a-week newsletter brings you the latest disability news across Minnesota, delivering content […]
Access Press Weekly: Metro Surge and autism community, Survey on Long COVID, Accessible gaming
Weekly Newsletter for February 19, 2026 Our email newsletter brings you the latest disability news across Minnesota, delivering content that […]