Disabled Journalists Association

Actions by the Trump Administration have continued to impact disabled people across the country. Here's a summary of the most notable from throughout 2025, which you can read more about in Sonali's piece at discojourno.com.

Exciting news from DJA! Thanks to a grant from Grist, we’re working on some stories about climate and the disability community.

Even better news? We're hiring Disabled freelancers to help.

Keep reading for the opportunities available.

Disability News You Might Have Missed: March 2

Read it here: discojourno.com/government/d...

#Disabled #Journalist #DJA #2026

How One Organization is Honoring Our Disabled Dead
By John Loeppky

Read it here: discojourno.com/eugenics/how...

#Disabled #Journalist #DJA #FeaturedArticle #DisabilityDayOfMourning

We've got a new piece up at discojourno.com, highlighting some key Black Disabled trailblazers for #BlackHistoryMonth. Written by DJA staff members R.L. Nave, Sonali Gupta, John Loeppky, and Sean Kelly. Here's a preview!

Tonight's the night!

February 2026 DJA Community Support Zoom Meeting
Thursday, February 26th, 6-8pm ET / 5pm CT / 4pm MT / 3pm PT
Link for More Information and to Registration:
discojourno.com/event/dja-co...

TOMORROW! You’re Invited!

February 2026 DJA Community Support Zoom Meeting
Thursday, February 26th, 6-8pm ET / 5pm CT / 4pm MT / 3pm PT
Link for More Information and to Registration:
discojourno.com/event/dja-co...

#journalism #freelance #dja #disabledjournalist

You’re Invited!
February 2026 DJA Community Support Zoom Meeting
Thursday, February 26th, 6-8pm ET / 5pm CT / 4pm MT / 3pm PT
Link for More Information and to Registration:
discojourno.com/event/dja-co...

The Beat Within Their Hearts: Why Disability-led Music is Poised for a Renaissance

by Ashley Castillo

Read it here: discojourno.com/featured-spe...

#Music #GaelynnLea #DisabledMusicians #Journalism

Disability Under Donald Trump’s Second Term — So Far
by Sonali Gupta

Read it here: discojourno.com/featured-spe...

#DisabledJournalists #Disability #Politics

Our friends at @calocalnewsfellows are now accepting applications for their next cohort of fellows! Apply at fellowships.journalism.berkeley.edu/cafellows/fellows/application/

9 States Renew Challenge to Section 504 Mandate
By Sean Kelly

Read it here: discojourno.com/featured-spe...

#Disabled #Journalist #DJA #FeaturedArticle #Section504

(Recent) Disability News You Might Have Missed

Read it here: discojourno.com/government/d...

#Disabled #Journalist #DJA #2026

Tonight's the night!

Link to register:
discojourno.com/event/dja-co...

This month’s gathering will include a training session on how media workers can enter into or sustain themselves in the audio production world through a disability-led lens. It will be presented by DJA’s Ariana Martinez.

TOMORROW! You’re Invited!

January 2026 DJA Community Support Zoom Meeting
Thursday, January 29th, 6-8pm ET / 5pm CT / 4pm MT / 3pm PT
Link for More Information and to Registration:
discojourno.com/event/dja-co...

This month’s community meeting will be held on January 29th from 6PM – 8PM EST

Registration is now open for the IIJ’s 2026 Freelance Conference on March 5 and 6! For only $69, take advantage of sessions on AI, fellowships, newsletters, and more! Plus, participate in the first-ever Pitch Fest! Register now: theiij.com/sessions-26

You’re Invited!
January 2026 DJA Community Support Zoom Meeting
Thursday, January 29th, 6-8pm ET / 5pm CT / 4pm MT / 3pm PT
Link for More Information and to Registration:
discojourno.com/event/dja-co...

#journalism #freelance #dja #disabledjournalist

Six Underreported Disability Stories We Hope Get More Coverage in 2026

Read it here: discojourno.com/featured-spe...

#Disabled #Journalist #DJA #2026

How Disabled Journalists Work: Sean Kelly

Read it here: discojourno.com/featured-spe...

#Disabled #Journalist #DJA #FeaturedArticle

Five Key Disability Stories to Watch in 2026

Read it here: discojourno.com/featured-spe...

#Disabled #Journalist #DJA #2026

How Disabled Journalists Work: Ariana Martinez

Read it here: discojourno.com/featured-spe...

#Disabled #Journalist #DJA #FeaturedArticle

Analysis: The Atlantic’s ‘Accommodation Nation’ is an Ableist Abomination
By John Loeppky

Read it here:
discojourno.com/featured-spe...

#DisabledJournalists #TheAtlantic #Ableism

We are honored to receive a 2025 Disability Futures Fellow Nominated Award in honor of our organization’s work in the disability community. This is a one-time funding opportunity from United States Artists, supported by Ford Foundation and Mellon Foundation. @unitedstatesartists

In light of his mention during yesterday's congressional hearing about the Trump administration's deportations, we're resharing our recent interview with Sae Joon Park.

Read the story at discojourno.com/.../he-won-a...

#DisabledJournalists #Deported #PTSD #Disability #SaeJoonPark

David Kiley's 'Wheel Head' Memoir Is a Wild Ride Through Para Sport History
By John Loeppky

Read it here:
discojourno.com/featured-spe...
#DisabledJournalists #Davidkiley #WheelHead #ParaSport

Donate Today:
communitypartners.org/donate/
And select Disabled Journalists Association from the dropdown.

There are only a few newsrooms in the country with dedicated disabled journalists?
Disabled journalists are woefully underrepresented in newsrooms.
We're changing that.
And, you can help!

Disability is not a moral failing, or a rare event. It's a reality that we all can (and should) come to grips with.

DISABILITY IS A NATURAL PART OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE

About 1 in 4 adults have a disability.

Understanding disability deepens our empathy, strengthens our relationships, and helps everyone better support and advocate for a more inclusive world.

This stresses the fact that workplace flexibility, inclusive design, and robust public infrastructure are essential.
Disability isn't just a fringe issue; it impacts the core labor force.

MYTH
"Most people with a disability
are born with it."

FACT
80 percent of disabilities are acquired during the ages of 16-84.