Minnesota’s most vulnerable citizens are paying the price for government failures
Minnesota’s disability service providers support thousands of our state’s most vulnerable citizens every day. We provide homes, stability, and services […]
Commentary
The ADA Title II deadline extension should not slow accessibility momentum
When I first saw that the Department of Justice extended the ADA Title II web and mobile app accessibility compliance […]
Accessible housing leader slams state leadership over $300M Human Services cuts
In a scathing rebuke of recent legislative decisions, Josh Berg is publicly condemning state leadership for what he describes as […]
Waiver Reimagine puts Minnesota on shaky legal ground
Minnesota has long prided itself on being a national leader in supporting people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive […]
Foster homes closing around state: The hidden crisis uprooting Minnesota’s vulnerable adults
Minnesota is on the verge of losing something it cannot easily replace: small, family-based foster care homes that have quietly […]
The urgent need for rural transit funding
“Lisa, hier musst du nur auf Englisch sprechen, sonst verstehen sie dich gar nicht.” In December 1992—exactly three months after […]
Uniquely educated: Why school choice is critical for special education students
The headlines seem endless: “Public schools are failing,” “Charter schools skim resources,” “Achievement gaps persist.” But amidst this noise, we […]
My autism diagnosis didn’t change my life
My experience with autism is a story shaped by the myth of endless resilience. I was diagnosed at thirty-two, after […]
The impact of Operation Metro Surge on Minnesota’s autism community
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Operation Metro Surge has had far-reaching effects across Minnesota communities. The federal government has stated […]
Growing up gaming – a review of the PlayStation Access Controller
I’ve been a gamer since I was a kid. I’ve played everything from Atari, NES, Super NES, and SEGA Genesis […]
The spectrum of experience – navigating the everyday
Mary is the Business and Advertising Operations Manager at Access Press. She also lives with a disability. Below, she shares […]
Buried deaf child coming home
A personal story When I was seven years old, I experienced something I did not have the language to explain. […]
Help us help others navigate their disability journeys as I was helped
The air was cool and the sky overcast on September 9, 1993, when I ran out my back door for […]
The cost of being the airline’s afterthought, or travel while disabled
A trip from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. was one of a few thousand miles and an entire economy of […]
Living with disabling Lyme disease and effects? She is offering her support
I want to put some feelers out to see if there’s a need or interest in starting a Lyme Disease […]
Access Press Board of Directors seeks candidates
Want to be involved with Minnesota’s disability community and its premier news source? Access Press has an opening on our […]
Readers tell us ‘Why I support Access Press.’ How about you?
There’s no shortage of places to turn to for dire news or funding shortages. We don’t need to tell you […]
Veterans and their allies championed the barrier-free movement
People with disabilities celebrated 35 years of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) this past summer. The ADA is […]
ICI celebrates 40 years worth of accomplishments while looking ahead
The University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration is celebrating four decades of service to Minnesotans with disabilities. In a […]
Community Challenge grants given
Communities throughout Minnesota will receive 2025 Community Challenge grants from AARP. The grants are part of AARP’s $4.2 million commitment […]
Alzheimer’s disease, dementia are focus of seven grant projects
Seven Minnesota organizations will use state grant funds to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, promote early diagnosis […]
Take Note! for November 2025
Speaker panel offered: Disability and faith A Disability and Faith Speaker Panel is scheduled for 2:00-3:30 p.m. Sat, Nov. 8, […]
HCBS Providers: Join the Call
Minnesota has long been recognized as a national leader in supporting individuals with disabilities through home and community-based services (HCBS). […]
Addressing fraud is most effective when everyone is heard
Many people are very worried because of budget cuts at the state and national level. It’s time that we all […]
Intentionally or not, life with disabilities can be all about politics
Being disabled means my life is political whether I want it to be or not. My wheelchair is political. My […]
When Dylan can vote is an unanswered question for his family members
Dylan is 20 years old. Dylan has a disability. Dylan is nonverbal. Dylan can vote . . . or can […]
Take Note! for September 2025
Can Do Canines open house The annual Can Do Canines Woofaroo is 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Sat, Sept. 13 at Can […]
Your letters and commentary are welcomed: Guidelines
Access Press welcomes letters to the editor and commentary pieces from readers, on topics of interest to Minnesota’s disability community. […]
Farewell to Upstream Arts
For 20 years, Upstream Arts has activated and amplified the voice and choice of individuals with disabilities. The organization is […]
Despite Medicaid cuts, we can still uphold disability inclusion’s promise
July marked the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the historic legislation prohibiting discrimination against people with […]
Investing in inclusion means we move forward together as a community
My brother-in-law Nathan lives on his own, has held many jobs, and is a valued member of his community. But […]
Family’s home was not just a place to live, but a place they built to live
Editor’s note: The Villavicencio-Paulsen family recently lost a legal fight to retain their Maplewood apartment, which included disability accommodations. The […]
Her ADA journey began as a teenaged Girl Scout, led to so much more
For as long as I can remember, I have had to consciously think about how to get from where I […]
Our Life, Our Way: Independent Living
Leadership, Unity, Vision was the themeIt could all be possible, so it seemedAll we would have to do is become […]
With the ADA’s anniversary, we look back at the people who made a difference
As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we ask ourselves what does the ADA mean […]
Harmful cuts to an array of federal programs would affect basic needs for many
The Minnesota Budget Project is alarmed by the large and harmful funding cuts being considered by U.S. House committees that […]
Community living programs are under threat of elimination
In a leaked budget memo from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there was a proposal to eliminate […]
Protecting Developmental Disabilities Funding
A coalition of Minnesota organizations dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities has sent a letter to Minnesota’s Congressional delegation, […]
Two very different narratives are unfolding at Minnesota’s capitol
As the Minnesota Legislature wraps up the majority of its committee work with the first, second and third deadlines behind […]
Loss of Twin Cities’ clubhouse funding threatens recovery and support
NAMI Minnesota is deeply concerned about the immediate defunding of Vail Communities’ clubhouses in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Clubhouses are […]
People with disabilities shouldn’t have to meet criteria to be valued
Too often, we people with disabilities, and our families, have had to make lists. Lists of reasons, proof, as to […]
Protecting disabled tenants from eviction: A call to action
Eviction is devastating for anyone, but for disabled individuals, it can mean losing independence, accessibility, and even their right to […]
Both parties must prioritize improving accessibility and support services for people with disabilities
In the wake of recent contentious battles and political maneuvering, Minnesota state lawmakers have limited time to craft and pass […]
Blaming people with disabilities is unacceptable, as is scapegoating
We now know with certainty that President Trump regards us–those of us with disabilities, our folk and our friends–with contempt. […]
Your letters and commentary are welcomed: Guidelines
Access Press welcomes letters to the editor and commentary pieces from readers, on topics of interest to Minnesota’s disability community. […]
He has questions about ICI program on competitive integrated employment
The January 2025 issue of Access Press included an article, “Subminimum wages are eyed for change at federal level“” written […]
Your letters and commentary are welcomed: Guidelines
Access Press welcomes letters to the editor and commentary pieces from readers, on topics of interest to Minnesota’s disability community. […]
Minnesota’s care crisis raises questions for people with disabilities
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about one in four adults in Minnesota has a disability. Among those who […]
Minnesota and disability – a look by the numbers
How diverse is Minnesota? The Star Tribune recently asked that question in an article, so here’s a look. The […]
Preparing for 2025 advocacy at the capitol? Keep Access Press in mind
Much of my evening reading material these days centers on proposed legislation. The Minnesota Legislature gavels into session January 7, […]
