The National Center for Disability, Equity, and Intersectionality

01/27/2026

The conversation about AI and mental health is growing. MDRC is adding our voice, rooted in disability justice.

We're not here to shame anyone who's turned to AI for support. The barriers to mental health care are real. They fall hardest on disabled people, BIPOC communities, and anyone living at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities. We understand why people are looking for alternatives.

But we think you deserve to know what the research says. The Public Health Communications Collaborative started this conversation. We're here to bring a disability justice perspective.

Read our statement on our blog https://mymdrc.org/blog/

Thank you to CDC Foundation , de Beaumont Foundation , The Kresge Foundation , , and Trust for America's Health for sparking this conversation.

[Image Description. "We are entering this conversation because we believe people deserve to know. You deserve to know how these tools work, what the research says, and what the risks are. You deserve to make informed decisions about your own care." Michigan Disability Rights Coalition with liberty and access for all. End Image Description.]

12/16/2025

As part of our discussion on internalized ableism this month, we created a life stage map of internalized ableism. Does this match your current life stage?

Explore a life-stage map of internalized ableism, examining common experiences across the lifespan and ways to strengthen disability identity at each stage.

12/06/2025

Two of our Youth Equity Ambassadors flew to the TASH Conference and presented with us! We may be a little biased, but we think these presentations were some of the very best on the agenda!

11/14/2025

📣 Participate in a University of Pittsburgh Focus Group!

Are you 18 or older?
Do you identify as having a disability?
Have you ever had to speak with doctors in the U.S. about major medical decisions for a loved one who was too sick to speak for themselves?
If so, you may be eligible to join an important focus group aimed at improving the healthcare experience for people with disabilities and their families.

🗣️ Your voice and experiences can help shape better communication, care, and decision-making in hospitals.

Pease share with anyone who may be interested!

10/17/2025

“And I read about the slashing of “optional” services I rely on and potential closure of my local hospital…”

A personal account of how proposed Medicaid cuts threaten the independence and dignity of people with disabilities

10/17/2025

On October 10th, the Trump administration announced that over 400 people at the US Department of Education would lose their jobs. These layoffs gutted the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and the Office....

09/24/2025

We are honored to have The Autistic Self Advocacy Network as a partnering organization of The Center and join them in urging policymakers to work with autistic people, families and clinicians.

Following the White House's announcement Monday, AUCD joins national autism & disability organizations in calling on policymakers to work with autistic people, families, researchers & clinicians.

Policy must be grounded in science and responsive to community needs. We urge leaders, institutions & media to uphold scientific integrity, share accurate public health info, and strengthen—not weaken—support systems for the autism community.

🔗 http://bit.ly/4mBL2NY

09/23/2025

🚨 AUCD Responds to the White House’s Autism Announcement
Today, President Trump and HHS officials amplified debunked science linking autism to Tylenol as well as the childhood vaccine schedule, and touted folinic acid “cures,” —ignoring decades of sound research and silencing autistic voices.

The facts:
✅Acetaminophen use during pregnancy has not been shown to cause autism.
✅Evidence for folinic acid as an autism “treatment” is extremely limited.
✅Vaccines are safe and do not cause autism.

Read AUCD’s full response debunking the Administration's dangerous claims here: http://bit.ly/4gBLkCY

07/30/2025

A prominent disability justice activist will soon appear on quarters issued by the U.S. Mint as part of a special program honoring notable American women.

07/30/2025

"My disability gives me a different lens, that’s not a weakness, it’s a contribution"

Discover how embracing disability identity at any age can lead to greater self-acceptance, pride, and connection within the disability community.

06/24/2025

Travel should be exciting—not exhausting. But for many disabled travelers, inaccessible spaces, lack of accurate info, and anxiety about the unknown can make trips stressful instead of joyful.

🔗 Read more: https://thinkequitable.com/travel-accessibility-anxiety-barriers-oh-my/

06/23/2025

What happens when a school disciplines a disabled student for behaviors linked to their disability? That’s the question at the heart of A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, a landmark disability rights case recently heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

🔗 https://thinkequitable.com/ajt-v-osseo-disability-rights-supreme-court