WORDS HAVE POWER

By Eugene Huston

As the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaches on July 4, 2026, the United States faces a critical moment to reflect on its core democratic ideals. This essay contends that, despite measurable progress, the Declaration’s promise of equality and unalienable rights remains only partially fulfilled for people with disabilities. By examining how historical and current policies have perpetuated or reduced inequities, this essay situates the ongoing marginalization of people with disabilities within the broader, unfinished effort to build a more inclusive and just American union.

The Growing “Pressure Cooker”

Currently, the nation faces significant changes, funding instability, and growing infrastructure challenges. For example, less than 5% of homes in the U.S. are accessible to people with moderate mobility needs (NewsOne, 2026). This shortage undermines the civil rights of millions with disabilities by limiting their ability to participate fully in community life and achieve independence.

• Financial Instability and H.R. 8464: The Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act (H.R. 8464) has raised significant concerns. While intended to prevent fraud, its broad language could allow federal agencies to pause or alter payments based on perceived fraud-risk indicators. Advocates warn this may result in automatic freezes of critical SSI or Medicaid payments for vulnerable individuals before due process is provided (LeadingAge, 2026).

• The SSI Marriage Penalty: Many people with disabilities must choose between marrying their partners and keeping the financial support essential to their independence, as marriage often reduces or eliminates Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. This penalty strains personal relationships and perpetuates economic insecurity, reinforcing social and financial inequities. The policy undermines the principles of equality and autonomy, highlighting the need for legislative reform to ensure all individuals can exercise their rights without risking critical supports.

• Subminimum Wages: Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act still permits employers to pay workers with disabilities less than minimum wage. This practice undermines financial independence and perpetuates systemic economic disadvantage. By allowing lower wages, Section 14(c) reinforces the perception that the labor of people with disabilities is less valuable, limiting opportunities for advancement and inclusion. The continued use of subminimum wages contributes to persistent poverty among people with disabilities and reflects a broader failure to realize the Declaration’s promise of economic equality (DOL, 2026).

• Bodily Autonomy: In many states, forced sterilization of people with disabilities remains legal. This practice directly contradicts the ideals of liberty celebrated on July 4th (Colorado General Assembly, 2026).

The Infrastructure and Workforce Deficit

The promise of the ADA, rooted in the principle of equality and opportunity for all, is increasingly challenged by structural and systemic barriers, including shortages of accessible housing, caregivers, and public transit (NewsOne, 2026; Home Health Care News, 2026). While the ADA provides a legal framework for equal opportunity, these persistent barriers show that policy alone is not enough without real improvements in daily life. The gap between ADA rights and actual experiences, such as difficulty finding accessible homes or reliable support, highlights a disconnect between legislative intent and lived reality. Given these ongoing challenges, it is important to assess the nation’s progress and identify further steps needed to achieve the ADA’s vision of genuine equality.

• The Caregiver Crisis: A severe shortage of direct care workers, driven by high turnover and low wages, makes it difficult for families to find qualified assistance. As a result, unpaid family caregivers experience significant burnout (Home Health Care News, 2026; Penn LDI, 2026).

• Housing & Transit: Fewer than 5% of homes in the U.S. are accessible to people with moderate mobility needs (NewsOne, 2026). Combined with unreliable public transit, this limits community participation and access to public services for people with disabilities.

Barriers to the Ballot

As we honor the democracy established in 1776, we must address the barriers that continue to prevent many people from fully participating and benefiting from it:

• The “SAVE Act” Context: Although the federal “SAVE Act” was blocked in the Senate in June 2026, similar laws are advancing in many states. These laws require documents such as passports or birth certificates to prove citizenship. However, many people with disabilities, seniors, and low-income citizens face challenges obtaining them (Center for American Progress, 2026).

• Victory for Access: On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled in Watson v. RNC that federal law does not override state grace periods for mail-in ballots. This decision is a significant victory for voters with disabilities who rely on absentee voting to cast ballots privately and independently, free from physical barriers at polling places (ACLU, 2026).

The Erosion of IDD Networks

It is concerning that key Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) network partners are weakening. These include Protection and Advocacy (P&A) systems, University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), and State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD). These organizations assist families in navigating school systems, job training, and benefit applications.

Recent federal budget cuts may reduce funding for these groups or transfer them to agencies that do not prioritize disability issues (AUCD, 2026). For example, reduced funding for Protection and Advocacy (P&A) systems could mean fewer advocates to help families appeal denials ofeducational services or address employment discrimination. As these networks shrink, families lose essential support to navigate complex systems (Equip for Equality, 2026).

Structural Shifts: The “Medicalization” of Rights

In June 2026, a federal reorganization moved the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It shifted Section 504 civil rights enforcement to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). This change could reframe IDEA support as primarily a medical issue, reducing emphasis on educational and inclusion goals. Such a shift risks undermining progress toward inclusive schools by relegating disability-related needs to medical settings and potentially marginalizing students within the educational system. Families may face new challenges obtaining Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), especially if HHS prioritizes medical over educational criteria, which could limit access to inclusive supports. Similarly, moving Section 504 enforcement to the DOJ may align it more closely with general civil rights law. However, it could introduce additional procedural hurdles, slowing responses to discrimination and reducing the enforceability of educational accommodations. These changes risk blurring the distinction between medical and educational rights, complicating support systems, and restricting access to services. If unaddressed, this structural shift could have lasting effects on the education and social integration of students with disabilities, hindering equality in public education (AOTA, 2026; AAPD, 2026).

Call to Action: Defending the Promise

True patriotism means not only honoring past achievements but also advancing the nation’s promise of equality and unalienable rights for all. As we celebrate 250 years of independence, we must ensure that this pursuit includes people with disabilities, reaffirming our commitment to the Declaration’s ideals for everyone.

• Contact Your Representatives: Call or email your members Contact Your Representatives: Call or email your members of Congress and state legislators. Ask how they are protecting Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) funding and the independence of P&A systems. Find your representatives at House.gov or Senate.gov, a chapter of The Arc, your state’s Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency, a localCenter for Independent Living (CIL), or a local disability advocacy group. These organizations have specific “action alerts” regarding state-level Medicaid and infrastructure policy.

• Educate and Mobilize: Participate in awareness campaigns such as Disability Voting Rights Week (September 14–18, 2026). Register to vote, assist others with registration, and ensure your polling place is accessible.

• Share Your Story: Policymakers are most influenced by real experiences from their communities. If you feel comfortable, share how Medicaid waivers, accessible housing, or caregiver shortages have affected you or your family.

As we look to the next 250 years, it is essential to recognize that accessibility is central to the nation’s founding ideals and its commitment to a democratic and just society. Genuine progress requires both policy advocacy—such as protecting Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services funding, strengthening disability networks, removing barriers to voting and employment, and promoting accessible infrastructure—and ongoing collective action to address persistent inequities. Only by confronting both historical and current marginalization, and putting the Declaration’s promise of equality and unalienable rights into practice, can the United States fully realize equality, liberty, and justice for people with disabilities as part of its ongoing work.

References

• American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). (2026). AAPD Outraged by Unlawful Transfer of Special Education, Civil Rights Offices.

• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). (2026). Supreme Court Ruling Protecting Ballot Access.

• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). (2026). New Executive Action to Move IDEA from ED to HHS is a Concern for Special Education.

• Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). (2026). AUCD Statement: President’s FY27 Budget Raises Concerns.

• Center for American Progress (CAP). (2026). The SAVE Act Stalled in Congress, But State Versions Advancing.

• Colorado General Assembly. (2026). HB26-1040 Sterilization Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

• Equip for Equality. (2026). Important Update: Possible Cuts to Federal Funding for Disability Services.

• Home Health Care News. (2026). Solving the Home Care Staffing and Retention Crisis.

• LeadingAge. (2026). Legislation Targeting Fraud in Federal Financial Assistance Passes the House.

• NewsOne. (2026). Accessible Housing Remains Out Of Reach For Millions In Need.

• Penn LDI. (2026). America’s Caregiver Crisis is Burning Out Millions of Families.

• The Arc. (2026). 2026 Disability Advocacy: What We’re Watching & How to Help.