This episode of The Advocacy Life Podcast, hosted by disability advocate Kevin Núñez, uses a pizza analogy to break down how government and politics work in an accessible, conversational way — covering topics like majority rule, representative democracy, and the Constitution. The episode emphasizes that disability advocates need to understand political history and civics to effectively fight for the resources and rights their community needs. Núñez closes with a call to action, urging advocates to stay engaged and hold elected officials accountable rather than sitting on the sidelines.

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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act requires states to check Medicaid eligibility for adults covered through Medicaid expansion every six months instead of annually, beginning with renewals scheduled after December 31, 2026 — meaning many people will need to submit paperwork twice a year just to maintain their coverage. For people with disabilities, this increased frequency creates significant risks: inaccessible forms, portals, and phone systems make it easy to lose coverage due to paperwork issues rather than actual changes in eligibility. The article urges those affected to connect with their state Medicaid agency, use Medicaid.gov's help tools, or call 211 to find local assistance navigating the more frequent renewal process.

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A new issue brief explains that while Medicaid home care — which serves over 5 million people with disabilities and older adults — does carry a higher risk of fraud due to the in-home nature of services, federal and state governments have implemented significant safeguards including electronic visit verification and data analytics, and fraud convictions in this area have actually declined since those tools were put in place. The piece cautions that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provider spending data can easily lead to misleading conclusions because it lacks important context and excludes major spending categories like hospitals.

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Across the country, caregivers are sounding the alarm about what Medicaid cuts mean for the people they love. For families caring for children with complex medical needs, adults with significant disabilities, and aging parents with Alzheimer's, Medicaid pays for home aides, specialized equipment, therapies, and community-based services that private insurance often refuses to cover. Without it, many say their loved ones would be forced into institutions, pushed into medical bankruptcy, or left without life-saving care. Their stories make clear that for millions of Americans, Medicaid is not optional — it is survival.

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Wisconsin's IRIS program is transitioning to a single contractor to manage payroll and background checks for caregivers, a move that has sparked significant concern among enrolled adults with disabilities. Participants worry that the administrative shift could lead to payment delays for their care workers, potentially making it harder to retain the staff they rely on for essential daily needs like showering and mobility. Because the program allows individuals to live independently rather than in institutional settings, any disruption in caregiver pay is seen as a direct threat to their ability to remain in their own homes.

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A new study from Special Olympics Health published in JAMA Network Open reveals that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face a significant mental health crisis, being over nine times more likely to report anxiety or depression than those without disabilities. Despite having a higher symptom burden and being more likely to take medication, these individuals face massive systemic barriers to therapy, including high costs, a shortage of trained providers, and "diagnostic overshadowing." However, the research also highlights a path forward: participation in Special Olympics programming was found to reduce the likelihood of a depression diagnosis by 49%, underscoring the vital role of social connection and physical activity in closing these care gaps.

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Are you interested in presenting at the 2026 Self-Determination Conference?  We are seeking session proposals for Tuesday, October 20 & Wednesday, October 21, 2026.    

Click here to fill out the presenter form online. presenter portal.

This year’s theme: The Power of Self-Determination; Technology, Community and You will help people with disabilities lead more Self-Determined lives by offering tools to plan the life they want to live in the communities they choose!

Things to know when submitting a proposal:

• Proposals must include a self-advocate(s) as a lead or co-presenter.
• Panels should be limited to no more than 3 people. 
• Conference sessions must support Self-Determination and Self-Directed principles.

•  Sessions will be all in-person. Presenters must attend the conference
   in-person.

• Presentations should focus on practical, take-home strategies that people can implement in their lives.
• Sessions should not promote specific agencies or products. 
• Repeat or similar sessions from previous conferences will not be considered.
• Sessions will be 1.25 hours in length. Self-Advocate sessions will be 30 minutes in length.
• A typical session has an audience of 50-75 attendees.

If your session is accepted:

• Handouts: Presenters agree to submit the PowerPoint and other materials through the online portal by September 23, 2026. You are responsible for providing 50-75 copies of your materials for your in-person session. Please use plain language. 
• Equipment: A screen, A/V cart, LCD projector, laptop, and microphone will be provided in each breakout room. Bring your presentation on a flash drive or use your own laptop. 
• Presenters must register for the conference. Presenters must attend the conference in-person.

*By completing this form, presenters agree to turn in all materials and information by September 23, 2026. 

Submissions are due by noon on May 5, 2026.