Lurie Institute for Disability Policy

Graphic promoting the Student Fellowship in Disability Policy. The text reads: 'Student Fellowship in Disability Policy. Applications are due on April 10, 2026.' The background shows a faint image of the current cohort smiling and standing together. The logo for the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy appears at the bottom.

The title reads, "Application Checklist (Part 1)", and the text says: "Applicant information submitted into the online form. Statement of Interest, no more than 700 words in length, describing the following: What interests you about disability policy? What do you hope to accomplish in this fellowship? How does this fellowship align with your professional goals? What are significant barriers that you've faced and how have you overcome them?"

Application Checklist (Part 2). Resume, including honors, special programs in which you are enrolled, extracurricular activities, etc. Your transcript — one PDF copy. An unofficial transcript is acceptable. Letter of Recommendation from a Brandeis professor. Your reference should send their letter directly to aabushanab@brandeis.edu.

Applications for the 2026-27 Student Fellowship in Disability Policy cohort are now OPEN!

Learn more and apply: zurl.co/xEfXg

Madres y padres con discapacidades físicas y sus experiencias de crianza: Revisión general de estudios cualitativos - National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities

Este documento revisa la investigación existente para examiner las experiencias de crianza de adultos con discapacidades físicas, y los desafíos, necesidades y apoyos que reportan.

Obtén más información: zurl.co/TzvLS

Hallazgos (Pt.3). Los padres y madres compartieron algunas de sus experiencias: Un padre compartió: “Lamentablemente, las dificultades financieras tienen un impacto. Como no tengo trabajo, no le puedo dar al niño todo lo que quisiera. Es difícil y frustrante. A veces, me deprime. Sin embargo, se equilibra con los momentos de alegría y por un tiempo uno se olvida”. Una madre Ghanesa con una discapacidad física dijo: “Una vez fui con mi bebé y se notaba que me costaba amamantarlo. La enfermera me miró y me lanzó una lluvia de insultos”.

Lee el informe en nuestro sitio web para obtener más información.

involucramiento con el sistema de bienestar infantil y barreras para recibir beneficios que las madres y padres no discapacitados.

Madres y Padres Con Discapacidades Físicas y Sus Experiencias de Crianza: Revisión General de Estudios Cualitativos.

Introducción. Las personas con discapacidades tienen los mismos derechos humanos que cualquier otra persona, incluido el derecho a criar hijos, tal y como lo reconocen las leyes internacionales y nacionales como la Convención de la ONU sobre los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad (CNUDPD), y las leyes de los Estados Unidos como la Ley sobre Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA). Al igual que otras madres y padres con discapacidades, los que tienen discapacidades físicas enfrentan numerosas barreras y desafíos para criar hijos a causa de factores como discriminación, falta de acceso físico y prejuicios y estigma social. Las madres y los padres con discapacidades físicas enfrentan discriminación, estigma y acceso limitado a equipo y apoyo para tareas cotidianas de la crianza como la lactancia, el baño y el traslado de sus hijos. Para responder a esta carencia, este documento revisa la investigación existente para examinar: 1) las experiencias de crianza de adultos con discapacidades físicas, y 2) los desafíos, necesidades y apoyos que reportan.

Hallazgos (Pt.1). Los estudios se realizaron principalmente en Norteamérica (11 estudios), Europa (8 estudios), con 2 estudios en África y 2 en Asia. Los tipos de discapacidad representados en los estudios incluyeron: 6 estudios sobre madres y padres con lesión medular, 2 estudios sobre madres con artritis reumatoide, y los estudios restantes incluyeron madres y padres con múltiples tipos de discapacidades físicas.

Hallazgos (Pt.2). La revisión identificó cuatro temas: navegar obstáculos y desafíos; experiencias mixtas con miembros de la familia; experiencias mixtas con personas de apoyo que no son familiares; y adaptación, resiliencia y positividad en la crianza como madre o padre discapacitado.

Aunque existen protecciones, las madres y lospadres con discapacidades, querepresentanalrededordel 6-10 % de todaslas madres y padres, enfrentan más riesgo de padecer problemas de salud, pobreza, inestabilidad de la vivienda,

Findings (Pt.3). Parents shared some of their experiences: One parent shared, “Unfortunately, financial difficulties have an impact. Because I don’t have a job, you can’t provide the child with everything you want. It is hard and frustrating. Sometimes, I get depressed because of it; however, it is balanced by moments of joy and you forget about it for a while.” One Ghanaian mother with a physical disability stated, “Once I went with my baby and you could see I was struggling to breastfeed. The nurse looked at me and rained insults on me”.

Read the full brief on our website to learn more. Includes the cover image of the brief and a QR code to scan to learn more.

This paper reviews existing research to examine the parenting experiences of adults with physical disabilities, and the challenges, needs and supports they report.

Learn more: zurl.co/o19I2

Parents With Physical Disabilities and their Parenting Experiences: A Scoping Review of Qualitative Studies. Includes an icon of the globe, with disabled people on the different continents.

Introduction. People with disabilities have the same human rights as everyone else, including the right to parent, as recognized under international and national laws such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and U.S. laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Like other disabled parents, parents with physical disabilities face numerous barriers and challenges in their parenting role due to factors such as discrimination, lack of physical access, and societal bias and stigma. Parents with physical disabilities face discrimination, stigma, and limited access to equipment and support for everyday parenting tasks, like breastfeeding, bathing, and carrying their child. To address this gap, this paper reviews existing research to examine: 1) the parenting experiences of adults with physical disabilities, and 2) the challenges, needs, and supports they report.

Findings (Pt.1). The studies were conducted primarily in North America (11 studies) and Europe (8 studies), with 2 studies from Africa and 2 from Asia. Disability types represented in the studies included 6 studies on parents with spinal cord injury, two studies reported on mothers with rheumatoid arthritis, and the remaining studies included parents with multiple types of physical disabilities. Includes a pie chart of the statistics on the amount of studies done per continent.

Findings (Pt.2). The review identified four themes: navigating barriers and challenges; mixed experiences with family members; mixed experiences with non-family support persons; and adaptation, resilience, and positivity in disabled parenting. Each theme is visualized by a pathway going through two barriers, mixed signals of a thumbs up and a thumbs down, and a happy child respectively.

Although protections exist, disabled parents, who make up an estimated 6-10% of all parents, face higher risks of health issues, poverty, housing instability, child welfare involvement, and barriers to benefits, compared with non-disabled parents.

line graph trending upwards over time. since 1990, there's been more research articles published each year. Data points show studies increase by time: 9 studies, then 3, then 11, 12, 28, 30, then 35 in the years 2020-2023. Text above graph reads: Research studies on the involvement of parents with disabilities in the child protection system has increased, especially since the early 2000s.

The first research article we found investigating the involvement of parents with disabilities in the child protection system was published in 1947. Since then, there's been a sharp rise in peer-reviewed research publications investigating this area. Learn more: zurl.co/4MQuy

Lactation and Breastfeeding Support Resources for Parents - National Center for Disability and Pregnancy Research

Nursing parents with disabilities have unique needs while feeding and caring for their baby. Our new resource webpage answers common questions from current and prospective parents with disabilities.

Learn more: TinyURL.com/Disability-Lactation

#DisabilityPregnancy #PregnancyResearch

“Pleasure as a Human Right, a discussion with Evan Sweeney & Rebecca Cokley.”Includes a photo of Rebecca wearing a navy blazer standing in front of a brick wall. The other shows Evan smiling while seated in a wheelchair. Accessibility icons indicating sign language interpretation and closed captioning. Logos for The Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University and The Carrie Buck Distinguished Fellowship, supported by the Ford Foundation

Join us for 'Pleasure as a Human Right,' a conversation with Evan Sweeney and Rebecca Cokley about the systemic barriers that desexualize disabled bodies and explores the radical act of reclaiming intimacy.

⏰ 4/28/26 at 1 PM ET
📍 Zoom: brandeis.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Dr. Mitra stands behind a podium as she delivers her speech.

One of the conference organizers shares information about Dr. Mitra, while a sign language interpreter stands nearby, interpreting the remarks.

Dr. Mitra receives a book from one of the conference organizers.

Attendees gather with Dr. Mitra for a large group photograph.

On Saturday, February 14th, the Lurie Institute’s Director, Dr. Mitra, traveled to Thiruvananthapuram, India, to deliver a talk at the National Institute of Speech and Hearing. Titled “Rights, Access, and Health: Disability Policy and Health Disparities in U.S. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities."

Dr. Mitra shares a key point in her speech. Behind her, words on screen discuss the medical model of disability, which views people with disabilities as needing fixing.

Dr. Mitra stands at the podium speaking. A group of panelists are seated beside her. The presentation behind her features conference information: Vision 2031. Designing an inclusive future.

This month, Director Mitra traveled to Kerala to present at the Vision 2031 International Conference on Development & Democracy! The presentation examined the state's policies for disability-inclusive development, highlighting key strategies to advance coordinated planning & implementation.

Purple promotional graphic announcing that continuing education credit now available. The graphic promotes the APAP webinar scheduled for Friday, February 27, 2026, at 1 PM ET. It includes a circular headshot of presenter Dr. Kara Ayers, a white woman with shoulder-length brown hair and glasses, and an image of the Accessible Pregnancy Action Plan Facilitator’s Guide. A registration link for the webinar and the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) logo appear at the bottom.

Exciting news! The APAP webinar is now approved for 1 ICEA contact hour!

Be sure to indicate on the registration form if you’d like a certificate of attendance and confirmation of your completed ICEA contact hour. There is no cost to attendees.

Register here: zurl.co/Mxjy1

Olmstead’s Effects on Housing Affordability, Supportive Housing, and Home and Community-Based Services: A Three-State Study - Community Living Policy Center

TAC applauds the efforts of these 3 states toward full community inclusion for #peoplewithdisabilities. We have worked with #NC on both #Olmstead & strategic housing plans, & are pleased to see its successes recognized in this @lurieinstitute.bsky.social study. heller.brandeis.edu/community-li...

Preview of Community Living Data Dashboard.Two interactive digital dashboards side by side. They're titled 'Who Needs LTSS' and 'Who Receives Medicaid LTSS'. We recommend using the Community Living Data dashboard to understand who needs LTSS and who is currently receiving LTSS in your state. Visit Disability Data Dashboard dot com.

Preview of brief cover. Link to brief is Tiny U R L dot com forward slash Race Ethnicity L T S S Needs

To better understand LTSS needs and service receipt at the state level, we recommend using the Community Living Data Dashboard. Visit DisabilityDataDashboard.com to explore who needs LTSS and who is currently receiving services in your state.

Read the brief: tinyurl.com/RaceEthnicit...

Race/ethnicity categories include: White non-Hispanic (NH), Black NH, American Indian/Alaska Native NH, Asian NH, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander NH, Other single race NH, Multiracial NH, and Hispanic/Latine.

Age adjustment. Age adjustment is important because age distributions are different across racial and ethnic groups due to structural factors. Since the likelihood of needing LTSS increases with age, we would expect LTSS needs to be higher for race/ethnicity populations with longer life expectancies. To more accurately compare the prevalence of LTSS need across racial/ethnic groups, we need to adjust for age.

Two people of color strolling down the street with shopping bags. One is a caregiver for the other. Text reads: What we found: Black, Indigenous, and other people of color have greater LTSS needs.

A double bar graph. Title reads: Prevalence of LTSS Need by Race/Ethnicity, Unadjusted versus Age-adjusted. Y/Left axis shows groups by race. The X/bottom axis shows percentages from 0-10%. White and non Hispanic: Unadjusted is 7.1%, Adjusted is 6.4%. Black and non Hispanic: Unadjusted is 8%, Adjusted is 9.1%. American Indian/Alaska Native and non Hispanic: Unadjusted is 9.2%, Adjusted is 10.4%. Asian non Hispanic: Unadjusted is 4.6%, Adjusted is 5.4%. Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and non Hispanic: Unadjusted is 7.4%, Adjusted is 9.3%. Other: Unadjusted is 6.5%, Adjusted is 7.6%.Multi: Unadjusted is 6.8%, Adjusted is 8.5%. Hispanic/Latine: 5%, Adjusted is 7.1%.

Using American Community Survey (ACS) data, we examined who needs LTSS, their racial and ethnic identities, and adjusted for age differences across groups. Our analysis shows that Black, Indigenous, and other people of color experience higher LTSS needs compared to their White counterparts.

Text reads: We know that LTSS need varies by geography. But we lack current data on how common LTSS needs are by race/ethnicity. Swipe to read about our study

An elderly man of color sits by a window and looks at his personal care attendant. Text reads: It is important to understand the racial and ethnic differences in who needs LTSS in order for policymakers, states, and health plans to develop Medicaid LTSS programs that reduce unmet needs and support community living for all people with LTSS needs.

What we did. We assessed racial and ethnic variation in the prevalence of LTSS need using data from the American Community Survey. We used this data to see who needed LTSS, their race/ethnicity, and balanced the data by age.

Flow chart explaining if someone needs Long Term Supports and Services (LTSS). First box reads 'Does someone have LTSS Needs?' This splits into two options. The first option is a self care disability. Graphics of a person dressing themselves and taking a shower. Text reads 'Do they have difficulty dressing or bathing? Yes or No?' The second option is an Independent living disability. Graphics show a person at a doctor's appointment and a person at the grocery store. Text reads 'Do they have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor's office or shopping? Yes or No. Those two flow chart options combine to a final point in the chart, which says 'If they respond 'yes' to one or both of these disability questions, then we consider them to have an LTSS need.

We know that long-term services and supports (LTSS) needs vary by geography. However, there is limited up-to-date data on how LTSS needs differ by race and ethnicity.

Lois Curtis, Elaine Lewis, and their lawyer sit at a table smiling. Text reads: Background. The Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. LC says that people with disabilities have a right to live in the community. Arrow point to Lois and Elaine saying ‘plaintiff.’

Text reads: The ‘integration mandate’ of the Olmstead decision required states to take action to help people with disabilities get out of institutions and into the community. A visualization of how Olmstead helps keep people out of institutions. A person with an intellectual disability on track to go to an institution, but an arrow navigates around the institution, instead going to a home in the community.

Text reads: Summary of the Report. This report looks at how the Olmstead decision brought about positive change in three states: Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. The report describes how each state utilized Olmstead as a tool to improve access to community living for people with disabilities, including improving housing affordability, supportive housing, and home and community-based services.

Text reads: The report’s authors interviewed people for their input and expertise. Here’s what they had to say. Quote 1: I think that Olmstead has been one of the most powerful tools to increase the availability of affordable and accessible housing.” Quote 2: I’ve seen many examples where Olmstead litigation has led states to pretty significantly increase availability of accessible integrated housing with supportive services for people with disabilities…”

New Report 📝 Olmstead’s Effects on Housing Affordability, Supportive Housing, and Home and Community-Based Services: A Three-State Study

This report and its associated case studies were conducted by the @dredf.bsky.social, in partnership with the CLPC.

Read online: TinyURL.com/OlmsteadReport2026

Casi 1 de cada 4 padres y madres en Estados Unidos que viven con sus hijos menores de 18 años tuvo una enfermedad mental durante el último año. Incluye imágenes de cuatro figuras de distintos géneros y discapacidades, con una de ellas resaltada para representar el 1 de cada 4.

El Enfoque de Práctica ParentingWell apoya a profesionales de la salud conductual en la integración de conversaciones sobre la crianza y las experiencias familiares en su trabajo con personas adultas con enfermedad mental. Cada punto está acompañado por una ilustración de un grupo de investigadores analizando y discutiendo datos.

Personas revisoras de la comunidad identificaron beneficios de ParentingWell para la comunidad de Filadelfia:“Los materiales ofrecen una guía para que los profesionales clínicos puedan involucrarse y hacer preguntas sobre la crianza, y no resultan demasiado clínicos.” “Como madre o padre que vive con una enfermedad mental, creo que si este programa hubiera estado disponible antes, habría encontrado estabilidad y éxito en mis prácticas de crianza, en mi vida diaria, en mi carrera, etc., mucho antes.” Las preguntas y actividades se consideraron estimulantes y reflexivas.

Nuevo informe de investigación 📑 La implementación del enfoque de ParentingWell en Filadelfia

Leer más: heller.brandeis.edu/spanish/pare...

#Parenting #DisabilityResearch #ParentingResearch #MentalHealth

Nearly 1 out of 4 of American parents who live with their children under the age of 18 had a mental illness within the past year. Includes images of four figures of different genders and disabilities, with one of them highlighted to signify 1 out of 4.

The ParentingWell Practice Approach supports behavioral-health practitioners in integrating conversations about parenting and family experiences into their work with adults with mental illness. The adaptation process in Philadelphia included the following overlapping steps: 1 The establishment of an Adaptation Team. 2 Community review of existing ParentingWell content. 3. The ParentingWell Learning Collaborative, an online training program for providers in Philadelphia. Each point is accompanied with an illustration of a group of researchers discussing data.

Community reviewers identified benefits of ParentingWell for the Philadelphia community: The materials provide a blueprint for clinicians to engage and ask questions about parenting and wasn’t too clinical.” “As a parent who is coping with mental illness, I think that if this program had been available sooner, I would have found stability and success in my parenting, daily life, career, etc., a long time ago.” The questions and activities were thought provoking.

New Research Brief 📑 Implementing the ParentingWell Approach in Philadelphia

Learn more: heller.brandeis.edu/parents-with...

#ParentsWithDisabilities #DisabledParents #DisabledParenting
#DisabilityResearch #MentalHealth

Preview of email from the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy on a Purple Background. Text reads: "January News from the Lurie Institute." First story features the Lurie Year in Review 2025 as the top story!

January News from the Lurie Institute ❄️
Explore how 2025 unfolded at Lurie, along with updates on the Carrie Buck Fellowship, upcoming webinars, and new publications: zurl.co/9boPt

Sign up to get newsletters from Lurie: zurl.co/yz03r

Webinar Graphic titled “Co-Creating Pregnancy Plans with Disabled People: The APAP Model. Includes a cover photo of the Accessible Pregnancy Action Plan: Facilitator’s Guide, featuring a grayscale photo of a pregnant person seated. On the right side is a circular headshot of Dr. Kara Ayers, a white woman with shoulder-length brown hair and glasses, smiling, labeled Dr. Kara Ayers, presenter. Bottom text reads Register: https://zurl.co/jvoUu. Logos for Lurie, the Pregnancy Center, and icons for closed captioning and ASL included.

Join the Pregnancy Center for this webinar to learn how research on the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences of disabled people informed the development of the APAP, and what this means for improving birth outcomes: zurl.co/JuYCL

National Book Critics Award Finalist on a yellow background. Includes cover image of the book, A Perfect Turmoil Walter E. Fernald and the Struggle to Care for America's Disabled.

Alex Green, a visiting scholar at the Lurie Institute, has been named a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in Biography for his book, A Perfect Turmoil: zurl.co/URstn

Congratulations, Alex, on this outstanding achievement. We at the Lurie Institute are incredibly proud.

Carrie Buck Fellowship 2025: Autonomy, Consent, and Sexual Ableism [AD] [CC] Read the descriptive transcript: https://heller.brandeis.edu/lurie/education/carrie-buck-fellowship/index.html#transcript Carrie Buck was a woman with disabi...

The discussion explores the selection of the Carrie Buck Fellow and her work in advancing conversations about consent, healthy relationships, and sexual autonomy.

Watch the full video with AD: zurl.co/wQP4g
Watch the full video: zurl.co/HheNF
Read the descriptive transcript: zurl.co/lW38x

Quote from Joanne Nicholson says that whether you identify as a person with a disability or others think of you as a person with a disability, to be able to speak your mind and feel that you’re being heard and that you are at the table having a two-way conversation. I think that’s about respect. That’s helping to build trust with your provider or your teacher or whomever you’re with or your family member.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Joanne Nicholson sits down with Tamara Huntley and Helen Osborne to discuss communication challenges faced by people with disabilities.

Listen to this episode of Health Literacy Out Loud: zurl.co/sdpOS

#DisabilityAccess #DisabilityResearch

Webinar flyer on a purple background titled Sexual Education, Maternal Health, and Pregnancy Experiences of Women with IDD featuring speakers mentioned in caption. The event will be held on Thursday March 5 at 3:30 PM ET via Zoom. $10 registration fee for non-members no additional cost for AAIDD members The flyer includes the American Association on Intellectual and Development Disabilities and speaker photos.

Join Lurie Institute researchers Monika Mitra, Nicole Lomerson, and Lauren Smith, along with Jenny Sperling, for an overview of maternal health and pregnancy experiences among women with IDD.

Learn more and register: zurl.co/nSyCR

Accessible Pregnancy Action Plan - National Center for Disability and Pregnancy Research

It's the 5th annual #MaternalHealthAwarenessDay. Our new Accessible Pregnancy Action Plan is a first-of-its-kind tool that is specifically tailored to support pregnant people with disabilities.

Learn more online: heller.brandeis.edu/disability-a...

Journal Article on a green background with the above-mentioned quote, and a QR code to scan for access to the article.

"Existing studies point to key factors that influence rates of maternal depression. In one longitudinal study, maternal depression was highest when the focal child was three years old, suggesting early childhood is a particularly difficult timepoint for mothers. Read here: zurl.co/MkxAa

Our Year in Review 2025 highlights some of the most significant aspects of our work over the past year. Distinct from our Annual Report (coming soon), this review focuses on the key themes that shaped our activities throughout the year. Explore the review here: zurl.co/mwVwd

Dr. Janell Green Smith's story is a harrowing example of how crucial this work is and the need to eliminate pregnancy-related disparities at the intersection of race, ethnicity, and disability. We work in honor of Janell and countless Black women who have died during pregnancy. Read: zurl.co/Bd5Hy

The Lurie Institute remembers and honors the late disability rights advocate Bob Kafka, whose organizing and advocacy helped drive change at every level.

His impact on the disability community was profound, and he will be deeply missed.

Learn more about his life and legacy: zurl.co/EIGbz