Able Newspaper

06/01/2026

Congratulations to Mindy Henderson, Vice President of Disability Outreach & Empowerment at the Muscular Dystrophy Association, who was just named recipient of the Steve Bartlett Award from Disability Belongs. A powerful leader in disability rights, she’s being recognized for her advocacy for accessible air travel among other notable achievements. She will be honored at the Disability Impact Awards July 16. For more about her work, please see her interview with Able News: https://ablenews.com/meet-mindy-henderson/

Meet the 2026 recipient of the Steve Bartlett Award, Mindy Henderson:

• Mindy is a powerful leader in disability rights, with specific interests in accessible air travel, healthcare, universal design, employment, inclusive fashion, and product design.
• Her award-winning advocacy around accessible air travel garnered awareness and influenced language in the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill of 2024 and the Department of Transportation wheelchair user rule that was finalized in late 2024.
• She is the Vice President of Disability Outreach & Empowerment at the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
• She is also Editor-in-Chief of MDA’s Quest Media.

Join us at the Disability Impact Awards in D.C. on July 16th and watch Mindy accept this award! Get your tickets: https://give.disabilitybelongs.org/event/2026-disability-impact-awards/e762645

05/29/2026

“Advocate, Advocate, Advocate!” – that’s the guiding advice of Joseph Pancari, an accomplished advocate for people with disabilities who serves as President & CEO of Constructive Partnerships Unlimited (CP Unlimited). In this feature, author Katherine Magnoli explores his journey from psychology student to CEO and details the challenges he continues to fight for to this day. Read the full article at https://ablenews.com/meet-joseph-pancari-a-ceo-with-a-lifetime-of-advocacy/

05/27/2026

More than 100 people with physical disabilities, advocates, family members, and allies gathered outside Gov. Kathy Hochul’s New York City office this month to protest the closure of Independence Care System (ICS), the only Health Home in New York State dedicated to people with physical disabilities. Organizers said that closing ICS will mean that adults with physical disabilities will lose access to expert disability-competent care management, wheelchair services, and Social Adult Day services that ICS alone has provided and that remain largely unavailable in the broader healthcare delivery system. Read the full article at https://ablenews.com/they-were-warned-the-fight-to-save-ics-and-the-failure-of-new-yorks-disability-care-system/

05/21/2026

Nassau County’s Games for the Physically Challenged is marking its fortieth anniversary, a major milestone for this beloved event where student athletes from throughout the region compete in sports ranging from swimming to track & field. In this story, reporter Emily Sauchelli speaks with the founder of the Games and current leadership about the origins of the event, challenges faced in its history and what to expect when competition kicks off at the end of May. Read the full article at https://ablenews.com/celebrating-forty-years-of-nassau-countys-games-for-the-physically-challenged/

05/14/2026

05/12/2026

With winter fading and the pleasant days of spring finally here, people naturally feel drawn outside again. Warmer air, longer days, and blooming flowers offer a sense of renewal and restoration. In this feature, author Ava Lefkowitz highlights public gardens throughout the region that offer accommodations allowing all visitors to experience the beauty and restorative effect of nature. Read the full article at https://ablenews.com/full-bloom-accessible-gardens-make-the-outdoors-available-to-everyone/

05/07/2026

A chance meeting decades ago at summer camp changed everything. In his latest piece, columnist James Weisman reflects on how a teenage friendship grew into a lifelong bond and a mission to advocate for rights, access, and inclusion. He’s met presidents and worked with governors, elected officials and industry leaders on rights and access issues. Marking his 75th birthday, he shares why he considers this work a privilege.
Read the full article at https://ablenews.com/a-best-friend-lifelong-lessons-and-a-privilege/

05/04/2026

Our May 2026 issue is now live, featuring a look at 40 years of Nassau County’s Games for the Physically Challenged, an interview with NYC’s new Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, and stories on culture, accessibility, and advocacy. Read the full issue at https://ablenews.com/may-2026/

04/25/2026

A proposed shift in home care policy is raising concerns about what happens when care no longer aligns with real needs. Marcus Johnson breaks down what’s at risk, drawing from his own experience to highlight the broader impact. Read the full article at https://ablenews.com/appreciative-a-relationship-like-no-other-and-why-policy-must-finally-catch-up/

04/22/2026

Proposed changes to Social Security Disability Insurance could have significant impacts on people with disabilities nationwide. In this feature, author James Weisman examines the potential consequences of SSDI cuts, drawing parallels to past policy shifts and highlighting concerns around access, eligibility, and service delays. Read more at https://ablenews.com/trump-administration-considering-social-security-disability-cuts/