July 15, 2026 - View in browser

THE ADA AT 36 A Q&A with Disability Rights Pioneer Stephanie Thomas “There were no community services. If your family couldn’t help you, and you didn’t have extraordinary friends, you couldn’t make it — if you needed help getting out of bed, or eating, or bathing, you were out of luck, says Stephanie Thomas, reflecting on life as a wheelchair user before the passage of the ADA. But amidst new attacks on the disability rights, Thomas, one of ADAPT’s founders, says she’s worried the ADA’s success has also quieted the in-your-face activism that helped us win our rights. “I think people assumed the ADA would take care of everything, without realizing it was more of a tool than a final solution.” PRODUCTS Aquila SofTech: The Cushion That Finally Got My Pressure Injury Healing Over two years battling a relentless pressure sore, Alex Ghenis tried multiple cushions and wound VACs and endured multiple setbacks, including infections and ER visits. His quality of life was suffering and he worried he might never get back to the active life he loved. When we asked if he’d be interested in trying and reviewing view the Aquila SofTech, a custom-made, alternating-pressure cushion designed to help heal and prevent wounds, he jumped at the opportunity. Three months later, his wound is healing, he’s getting back to his daily routine and he can’t imagine using any other cushion. Read his review. MEDIA Stand Up courtesy of Loco Films Summer Disability Film Preview If you’re looking to beat the heat and take a break from the stream of Hollywood blockbusters, there are a handful of promising films coming out that center disabled actors and creators. Whether you’re looking for suspenseful thrillers, dramas about adapting or feel-good documentaries, we’ve got you covered. None of these are slated for wide release as of yet, but keep an eye out for local screenings and streaming options. PERSPECTIVES To Be Disabled Is to Grieve Your Friends Too Soon Erica Mones writes about the complex emotions she felt after the passing of one of her best friends, delving into why death often seems like a taboo topic in our community despite its inevitability and prevalence. “Ignoring the reality that having a disability comes with increased mortality does not change the facts,” she writes, “it only serves to cause us further pain when we do experience premature loss.” TRENDING Roger That: The Walkie-Talkie Trick That Keeps Your Wheelchair Safe What do you do when airline employees are likely to damage your $30k+ power chair? Ian MacKay has a novel idea: zip tie a walkie talkie to your chair, so you have a direct communication line to the baggage handlers. Whether you think it’s brilliant or unlikely to work, join the conversation on our Instagram channel.

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