Vote Your Pride - GDC July 2026 Newsletter

Posted by Jan Strozer
July 16, 2026

Global Disability Caucus Steering Committee

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

We’re celebrating Disability Pride Month with the theme The World Works Better With Us, elevating the contributions made by disabled people. Take this timely opportunity to connect, learn, advocate, and share.

Connect with your ballot by registering and voting.

Learn by exploring the Global Disability Caucus (GDC) website where there is information that can help us all be better informed about disabilities, accessibility, inclusion, and advocacy.

Advocate by hosting or joining a Resistance Roundtable. Sign up for Take Action emails that provide quick, meaningful advocacy efforts.

Share your time with the Global Disability Caucus, volunteering for voter assistance efforts, or phonebanking.

TAKE ACTION: For specific legislative and policy advocacy, check out these ACTION IDEAS for Disability Pride Month.

There is difficulty and risk involved in sharing one’s disability. It can expose you to discrimination and exclusion, including actions like being screened out for a job before an interview, being refused housing or educational opportunities, and various forms of abuse or harassment.

However, in sharing your story, you can help educate and inspire, encouraging change for our community. One voice can make an enormous difference. Make that voice yours! If you are interested in sharing your story with the caucus, please let us know. It’s a great step towards becoming a public advocate for disabilities with an important perspective to share.

Thank you for all your work and support as we move towards the midterms. We can do this. We are the largest “minority group” in the world. There is power in that, as well as in our convictions and determination.

Let’s work for a better future for all.

Marnie, Chair, Global Disability Caucus

VOTE for the Respect and Dignity of Disabled Individuals

By Dawn Brunkalla, Accessibility Education

The other day, I heard someone ask, "Didn't the United States close its institutions for people with mental illness and disabilities?"

In short, the answer is no.

Beginning in the 1950s, the United States focused efforts on deinstitutionalization, which brought services for people with mental health conditions and other disabilities away from large institutions into community-based support. Fast forward 75 years, and we are taking steps backward toward institutionalization.

It is difficult to educate and understand about an issue so personal with such tremendous consequences for individuals and families. It is difficult to advocate for policies around institutionalization that support and honor disabled individuals. Many times the policy decisions that hurt our rights are hidden in seemingly unrelated bills. There are hundreds of bills in the states that would touch on this issue, but they are scattered through different levels of state and federal governments. One of the most important actions you can take is to vote. Vote IN elected officials who support the independence and dignity of disabled individuals; vote OUT those who don’t.

To learn more about this issue, read the rest of VOTE for the Respect and Dignity of Disabled Individuals.

CONNECT AND ENGAGE WITH THE GDC!

Volunteer: Interested in volunteer opportunities with the GDC? Complete this form: GDC Volunteer Interest Form

Signal Chat: Join the discussion and stay aware of news/events by joining the GDC Signal Chat group: https://signal.group/#CjQKIKoT7MRh99M6MfyAs4XAteAKLO18gtpQn8ypgDqFXt5ZEhAxq1LHPeN_NPe9d12PgkqG

The Global Disability Steering Committee can be contacted at [email protected].

Chair, Marnie Delaney

Vice Chair (Interim), Art Shankler

Secretary (open) Interested? Contact [email protected]

Newsletter Editor, Jan Strozer

Social Media Coordinator, Shannon Parry

Accessibility Education, Dawn Kristen Brunkalla

Outreach/GOTV, Rachel Eilbott