RFK Jr., Health and Human Services Secretary, and chairman of the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense, just announced the rollback of funding for mRNA vaccines. This move puts the lie to his claims (under pressure from senators at his confirmation hearing) that he would support vaccines for all Americans. Despite the Secretary’s woeful ignorance and disregard for humanity here, vaccines are scientific, evidence-based, and, in fact, work.
On July 23 we marched in Boston with over a 1,000 other disabled advocates and allies celebrating the 35th anniversary of the ADA. The next day another Executive Order (EO) was released. Several clauses in this dangerous EO require our attention and advocacy.
The order is called “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets,” and it has several sections. The order as a whole shows a lack of understanding of substance use, mental illness, and the factors that lead to homelessness. Rather than creating more affordable housing and support systems for those who need them, this order proposes institutionalizing unhoused people in order to “clean up the streets.” This is a disability rights issue – from “ugly laws,” preventing disabled people from being seen in public, to the ongoing institutionalization of people with disabilities, this is exactly the kind of rhetoric that dehumanizes people who simply need support.
Stop complaining…organize!
The American with Disabilities Act is 35 years old! We need to celebrate it and be prepare to defend it. As opinions about equal access shift, as programs and services for people with disabilities continue to erode, is the ADA relevant today? What do access, equity, inclusion, and diversity mean in the context of the ADA? These words should not be controversial. Ask yourself, can a person who is blind get a job if they need JAWS to read text? Can a person using a wheelchair get onto a bus? Can a person who is Deaf order a pizza using the video relay service? What about accessible bathrooms when I go shopping? And getting a quieter place to deal with my anxiety disorder should be a given accommodation. These are all examples of what the ADA covers. It boils down to providing access and equity to people with disabilities so that they can be included, and become participants in diverse communities.
I’m writing today to share this heartbreaking report from Human Rights Watch.
https://www.hrw.org/report/2025/07/21/you-feel-like-your-life-is-over/abusive-practices-at-three-florida-immigration
It details the appalling conditions at several immigration detention centers in the United States, including disturbing overcrowding, unsanitary practices, and extremely cruel treatment. Even more critically, the report exposes an almost complete absence of medical care for those imprisoned. It mentions several people with ongoing health concerns who were denied their medications, and many others who developed severe conditions and remained untreated. Some of the incarcerated died due to inhumane treatment.
Reading the news can be stressful, and these days it’s coming faster and hitting harder. We often want to share stories about things we care about, but it’s important to be careful when reading the news. There are a lot of “bad actors,” on the internet (and in print), who are trying to manipulate you to share their story, or adopt their views. The best way to keep yourself from getting overwhelmed and/or sharing false news, is to be vigilant and act defensively. Here’s a guide to reading critically, and understanding peoples’ motives in creating online news.
The official title of the Reconciliation Bill at the top of today’s news is “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” However, there are few to no beautiful things in this bill. It contains historic cuts to social safety nets, all to benefit the rich. The bill is long, complex, and difficult to read and understand. I’ll cover some of the major concerns I have with this bill, but they’re far from my only concerns.