I thought it would be an interesting way to wrap up the year by reporting out some headlines that happened this year that affected disabled people. From small gains like more inclusive merchandise from CVS to large advocacy issues like the negative impact of climate change on disabled people, every headline has an impact. These stories not only define the current landscape but also influence future directions for advocacy and rights for disabled people. So, there they are, five headlines from 2023 that you may have heard of (or not) that affect the disabled community:

Headline #1: NIH Recognizes Disabilities as a Category of Health Disparities

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) made a groundbreaking decision by designating people with disabilities as a population with health disparities. In this press release the agency explains what research brought them to this decision, and the actions that will come as a result. This designation underscores the challenges disabled individuals face in accessing quality healthcare and the disparities in health outcomes compared to the general population. It aims to enhance research and healthcare practices that address these disparities.

Headline #2: Climate Change Policies Overlooking Disabled People

Despite the growing acknowledgment of climate change's impacts, disabled individuals often find themselves left out of the planning and implementation of climate policies. This oversight can lead to a lack of necessary support and infrastructure to ensure safety and accessibility during climate crises, affecting the disabled disproportionately. Mother Jones published this article about the ground-breaking discussions happening in the United Nations about disability and climate change. As quoted in the article, people with disabilities “are continually being left behind and the consequences are devastating,” said Marcie Roth, executive director of the World Institute on Disability. She said that many communities have failed to implement disability-inclusive climate disaster plans which leads to disproportionate harms.

Headline #3: Supreme Court Ruling on Disability Rights

In a sleepy, but potentially bombshell case, Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County v. Talevski, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a decision that impacts the civil rights of disabled and aging people, affirming that individuals in these groups can seek legal redress against federally funded programs when their rights are violated. As the reporter in Mother Jones in its article detailing the case, millions of older and disabled people on Medicare and Medicaid would have been negatively impacted had the Court ruled against Talevski. This ruling reinforces the protection under disability rights laws, even for those with age-related health conditions, and emphasizes the judicial support for the rights of disabled individuals to challenge discriminatory practices​. It should be noted, however, that reliably conservative justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alto dissented, claiming that private parties can’t sue under the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act because of the law’s Spending Clause.

Headline #4: Disabled Employment At All-Time High

The National Trends in Disability Employment (nTide) reported that as of July this year, disabled people maintained their employment rate, and in fact, grew. Based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Jobs Report released today, the labor force participation rate for people with disabilities (ages 16-64) increased from 39.7 percent in June 2023 to 40.4 percent in July 2023 (up 1.8 percent or 0.7 percentage points). For people without disabilities (ages 16-64), the labor force participation rate remained steady at 78.4 percent in June 2023 and 78.4 percent in July 2023 (0.0 percent or 0.0 percentage points).

“The labor force participation rate of people with disabilities continues its upward trend, above historic highs,” reported Andrew Houtenville, PhD, professor of economics and research director of the UNH-IOD. “An increase in job openings and wages may be making work more feasible and worthwhile.”

Regarding employment, the employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities (ages 16-64) increased slightly from 37.0 percent in June 2023 to 37.3 percent in July 2023 (up 0.8 percent or 0.3 percentage points). For people without disabilities (ages 16-64), the employment-to-population ratio remained the same at 75.5 percent in June 2023 and 75.5 percent in July 2023 (at 0.0 percent or 0.0 percentage points). The employment-to-population ratio, a key indicator, reflects the percentage of people who are working relative to the total population (the number of people working divided by the number of people in the total population multiplied by 100).

“With a nod to diversity and inclusion, employers may be looking at underserved populations, such as people with disabilities, to fill open positions,” stated Elaine E. Katz, MS, CCC-SLP, senior vice president of Grants and Communications at Kessler Foundation.

Similar growth was seen in a year over year comparison. The labor force participation rate for people with disabilities (16-64) increased from 37.3 percent in July 2022 to 40.4 percent in July 2023 (up 8.3 percent or 3.1 percentage points). For people without disabilities (ages 16-64), the labor force participation rate increased slightly from 77.8 percent in July 2022 to 78.4 percent in July 2023 (up 0.8 percent or 0.6 percentage points).

Headline #5: CVS Pharmacy's Initiative for Accessibility

CVS Pharmacy has made a significant move towards inclusivity by stocking aisles with accessible personal care products specifically designed for disabled individuals. This initiative marks a critical step in ensuring that everyday shopping environments are more accommodating to the needs of people with various disabilities, promoting independence and ease of access. This development not only highlights the growing recognition of the importance of accessibility in retail but also sets a precedent for other companies to follow in making their products and services more accessible to all customers​.

“We know that it’s not enough to just stand for inclusivity and diversity – it needs to be seen through the products and services we are providing,” said Andrea Harrison, Vice President of Merchandising for Beauty & Personal Care, CVS Health. “The introduction of the Universal Tools collection ladders back to our continued efforts to make self-care solutions more inclusive for all of our consumers.”

Think I missed a headline? Let me know in the comments below and I can follow up with another blog about it! :) Happy New Year! -xoxo Jody