University of Kansas Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies

Federal grants and funding rules are potentially changing, with huge implications for the disability community. Critical programs and research could be cut based on DEIA allegations alone. Please read our alert on how you can take action: https://aahd.us/2026/06/omb-federal-grant-rules/

Public comments due: July 13th.
Spread the word with your networks!

On June 1, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that details all the policies around new Medicaid work requirements.

These work requirements, approved by Congress in 2025, will lead to disabled people losing their life-saving benefits. Work requirements threaten the health, safety, and independence of the millions of people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid to pay for essential health care, Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and other supports and services.

While the work requirements don't go into effect until January 1, 2027, AAPD is working hard to educate our community about what these requirements mean and how you can prepare for them.

We will have many resources for you, starting with our new FAQ! Check it out for our answers to common questions and concerns about these new requirements: aapd.com/medicaid-work-requirements-faq

Comments on the IFR remain open until July 31, 2026. Watch this space to join an upcoming action alert, when AAPD will provide a template for you to submit a comment.

ID: A graphic announcing a new resource says "Medicaid Work Requirements FAQ"

Thank you, Attorney General Kris Kobach, for withdrawing Kansas from the Texas v. Kennedy lawsuit and for listening to the concerns of Kansans with disabilities and their families.

Twenty-two Kansas senior and disability organizations joined together to explain why this litigation poses a threat to disability rights and community inclusion. We appreciate the Attorney General's decision to hear those concerns and take action, and we encourage the remaining states involved in the litigation to follow Kansas' example.

Read the coalition letter here: https://tinyurl.com/4xmnv2c4

Innovation starts with YOU. Bring your ideas, research, and experiences to the AUCD Conference and help move the field forward.

🗓 Proposal deadline extended to July 26, 2026

🚀 There’s still time to share your work and submit your proposal today: https://www.aucd.org/conference/proposals-2026



ID: A call for proposals for the AUCD 2026 Annual Conference titled "Impact through Innovation and Partnership" in Washington, DC, November 8-12. The deadline for proposals has been extended to July 26. The poster invites submissions for Concurrent Sessions or Posters and provides a website for more information.

Disability Belongs™ is deeply concerned by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Interim Final Rule implementing new Medicaid work and community engagement requirements for certain adults.

While the rule includes exclusions and exceptions for some disabled people, medically frail people, family caregivers, and others, the existence of an exclusion does not guarantee that eligible people will be protected in practice.

In the coming days, we will provide the disability community with plain-language advocacy tools to help advocates understand what the rule does, why it matters, how it may affect disabled people and family caregivers, and how to make their voices heard during the comment period.

We will continue working to ensure that Medicaid remains a strong foundation for independence, community living, and full participation.

Read our full statement: https://www.disabilitybelongs.org/2026/06/statement-new-medicaid-work-requirements-regulation/

Our newest publication looks at mental healthcare use by people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and serious mental illness (SMI).

Findings suggest that people with IDD and SMI may require treatment at younger ages than people with SMI only.

Read more in Frontiers: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/health-services/articles/10.3389/frhs.2026.1832994/full

📣 New Fact Sheet Alert! Web and Mobile App Accessibility
at Colleges and Universities

👉 Link to read more:https://s3.amazonaws.com/production-northeastada-org/local/en/NotheastADA-Fact-sheet-2026-Web-App-Accessibility-Higher-Ed.pdf

Disability P⏻wer on the Hill may have ended but we wanted to look back on the impact it had. Seventy-Five advocates from 17 states held meetings with 72 different Congressional offices over the course of two days. That is the power of the disability community. We asked several of the advocates there to talk about their experiences, and this is what they had to say. https://www.aapd.com/disability-power-on-the-hill-2026-voices-advocacy-and-community-in-action/

ID: A diverse group of people with disabilities in front of the US Capitol with the words "2026 Disability Power on the Hill Recap" below.

People with disabilities want to work — and contribute in meaningful ways.
KU researchers at KUCD - Kansas University Center on Disabilities and University of Kansas Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies are partnering with the state of Kansas to improve how systems connect individuals to jobs, helping more Kansans find employment that reflects their strengths and goals.
With new investment, this work is growing statewide.
👉 Learn more: https://loom.ly/bPtjM9A