If there was ever a time for the disability community to align, organize, and raise its collective voice, that time is now.
In the United States, over 70 million adults—more than one in four Americans—report having a disability. This staggering number isn’t just a statistic; it’s a reality that demands urgent attention and action. People with disabilities represent the largest—and often the most overlooked—minority group in the nation. And unlike other minority identities, disability is the only one that anyone can join at any stage of life.
Yet despite our numbers and contributions to society, the disability community remains marginalized, misunderstood, and systematically excluded. And now, with recent political shifts and policy rollbacks threatening critical Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) frameworks, our community is at a dangerous crossroads.
The erosion of DEI initiatives disproportionately impacts people with disabilities. It undermines accessibility accommodations, eliminates inclusive hiring practices, and erases anti-bias training in schools and workplaces. Combine this with proposed Medicaid cuts, and we face an even more perilous future—one where millions may lose access to essential healthcare, long-term services, and community-based support. These cuts won’t just inconvenience people—they will force many into institutional settings or homelessness.
This is not theoretical. This is happening now, and it will affect lives—our lives—if we do not act.
The disability community is not a monolith. Our lived experiences are shaped by our race, gender, class, culture, and the type of disability we navigate. But here’s the truth: we have far more in common than we think. It is time to stop letting bureaucratic silos and political distractions divide us. We must build coalitions—across disability types, across identities, across communities.
Why coalition building? Because isolation is a strategy of oppression. By separating us, administrations and institutions weaken our collective power. When we stay in our separate corners—fighting our own battles with limited resources—we are easier to ignore, dismiss, or marginalize. That ends now.
We need to speak truth to power unapologetically. No more sugarcoating our struggles. No more whispering about policies that harm us. We must name the injustices—even when they’re uncomfortable. Especially when they’re uncomfortable.
Coalition building isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a tool for survival, transformation, and systemic change. If we do this right, we become an unstoppable force. But strategy matters. Here’s how we build coalitions that last and deliver real impact.
Define Clear Goals and Vision: Every powerful movement begins with clarity. We need specific, measurable goals that bring focus to our work—and unite our voices.
Ensure Diverse and Inclusive Membership: Our coalitions must reflect the rich diversity within the disability community. Every voice matters—and must be heard.
Foster Strong Communication and Relationships: Trust is the bedrock of success. We need to engage local leaders, grassroots orgs, and build relationships across sectors.
Develop Effective Leadership and Organization: Power must be shared. We need transparent, accountable leadership rooted in strategy and service.
Empower and Advocate: This isn’t just about being at the table—it’s about reshaping the table. We must push for systemic change at every level.
Plan for Sustainability and Adaptation: Our movement must endure. That means long-term planning, flexible strategy, and continuous evaluation.
Here’s one organization that is already answering this call to action: Independence Care System (ICS)—New York State’s first and only Health Home program specifically designed for people with physical disabilities. ICS and the Civics League for Disability Rights are actively building a statewide coalition and seeking partners and collaborators to support a transformative program that addresses both health and social needs through disability-competent care.
Our proposed model integrates healthcare, wheeled mobility, long-term care services, social supports, and person-centered care coordination. It would include eligibility criteria, rate tiers, and quality measures tailored specifically to people with physical disabilities—something sorely missing in current statewide offerings.
We’re seeking organizations and individuals to partner with us to build a movement to push the NYS Department of Health toward meaningful, systemic change, and who want to advocate for legislation to create a statewide disability-competent care program.
Why is this essential? Because people with mobility disabilities are 64% more likely to die prematurely than their non-disabled counterparts. Despite this, New York State has no program focused on addressing these disparities in the adult physical disability population.
We are facing a moment of both crisis and opportunity. The systems that have historically excluded us are being reconfigured, and we have a choice: be silent and sidelined—or unite and reshape them.
To the disability community: our time is not coming—it is here. This is not just a call to action. It is a declaration that we are not going anywhere. We are powerful. We are necessary. And we are ready.
Let’s build the coalitions that will not only protect our rights, but expand our futures. Join ICS and the CLDR. Build with your community. Push for policies that include us—finally and fully.
The time is now. Let’s rise—together.
Opinions expressed are solely those of the writer(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Able News at The Viscardi Center and/or The Viscardi Center.