As many of you already know, President Trump signed the reconciliation budget bill (also known as the Big Beautiful Bill) into law on July 4th, 2025. This sweeping legislation contains massive changes to critical social safety net programs such as SNAP and Medicaid, that will have serious and far-reaching consequences for our community. It includes the largest cuts to Medicaid in history, and for the first time “since SNAP’s start in its current form nearly 50 years ago”, shifts a portion of SNAP costs to the states. 

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) an estimated 11.8 million people will be pushed off of Medicaid due to new work-reporting requirements, more frequent eligibility recertifications, caps on Medicaid provider taxes, and other new provisions. Additionally, more than 2 million people are estimated to lose some or all of their food assistance through SNAP. In Massachusetts alone, at least 250,000 residents could lose their health insurance. 

These cuts won’t only affect the millions who rely directly on these programs. Unfortunately, they threaten to destabilize the entire healthcare system by overwhelming emergency departments, forcing rural hospitals to close, and raising insurance premiums. To say that I am deeply concerned would be an understatement. 

However, we are not without hope. 

First and foremost, it is important to know that many of the services you rely on remain in place, and most will continue through the end of the year. In fact, several of the provisions with the largest projected impacts will not take effect until October 2027, giving us time to prepare. 

Second, the exact impact will depend entirely on the way that each state implements them. For example, when states are faced with reduced Medicaid funding, will they choose to cut non-mandatory services such as Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), or will they opt to divert other state funds to fill the gap? Historically, when facing large gaps in federal funding, states have chosen to cut HCBS programs. However, with effort and advocacy, we can mitigate those impacts to the best of our ability. 

Third – and perhaps most importantly – I know that we will continue to do what we have always done when the government has failed us, which is turn toward our community and fill the gaps every way we know how. This kind of care has always been central to the disability community. We saw it in the rise of the Independent Living Movement, when disabled activists created their own networks of support and fought for the right to live independently, not in institutions. This type of community care and community-driven activism helped pave the way for landmark legislation like Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which we will be celebrating 35 years of this month.

So, let’s use Disability Pride Month to be louder and more visible than ever. Join us at ADA35 (details below) to come together in community, honor the work of those who came before us, and turn our grief and disappointment into action, resistance, and resilience. Our services may be cut – but we’re not going anywhere.

SCIboston is proud to be a partner in ADA35 Boston, which is a march and rally in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This year also marks 35 years since the very first Disability Pride Day – held right here in Boston. 

The ADA is a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, government, public spaces, transportation, and more. Its passage was the result of decades of grassroots organizing and direct action led by disabled activists, many of whom also participated in the first Disability Pride Day. Today, Disability Pride Month is celebrated each July in recognition of the ADA’s passage, the spirit and determination of the activists who made it possible, and the legacy of the original Disability Pride Day.

Boston made history with the first-ever Disability Pride Parade. Take a moment to read powerful reflections from local advocates who were there 35 years ago. Click here. 

ADA35 Boston is a celebration of disability pride, a tribute to the advocates who paved the way, a recognition of the progress we’ve made, and a reminder of the work still ahead. As ongoing threats to disability rights continue to emerge, it’s more important than ever to raise our voices, demand equality, and fight for a more inclusive and just future.

Join SCIboston and nearly 50 other organizations as we come together to recognize this important anniversary and recommit to the fight for justice and accessibility for all.

Everyone is welcome – please bring your friends, family, neighbors, and fellow advocates – and spread the word! We know it can be difficult to attend an in-person event, but it is important for us to show up and demonstrate that disability rights are worth fighting for! Feel free to join us for as much of the event you are able to attend.

Registration for ADA35 Boston is encouraged, but not required. There will be free SCIboston swag to those who also RSVP to SCIboston by emailing Vita, at vita@sciboston.org!

Want to march with others? A group from SCIboston will gather in front of the Government Center MBTA station at 11:45 AM. Bring a sign and a friend! If you’d like a sign made by SCIboston to carry during the march, just let us know when you RSVP.

This is a rain-or-shine, outdoor event. Please come prepared to be outside.  The entire route will be wheelchair accessible. Cooling buses, water-bottle refill stations, and accessible portable bathrooms will be available. ASL and CART will be provided. Interpretation, translation, and disability accommodations are available at no cost. If needed, please contact Andrea Patton at andrea.patton@boston.gov or call 617-635-3682.

Provide Testimony:

1. Submit written testimony as soon as possible in support of H.1360/S.896: An Act Relative to Preventing Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities in the Provision of Healthcare. Click this link for a testimony guide and more information on the bill – including how to submit written testimony –, provided by the Disability Policy Consortium. Click here to watch a recording of the hearing. The Disability Policy Consortium is also seeking short quotes (approximately 25 words or less) for their fact sheet on the bill. Please email vita@sciboston.org with any additional questions or to submit a quote.
2. Testify at the upcoming public hearing for bill H.2403/S.1560, “An Act Establishing the Human Service Transportation (HST) Consumer Advisory Board.” The HST office is the second largest public provider of transportation services in Massachusetts after the MBTA, providing transportation such as PT-1 transportation and program-based transportation. It is too late to sign up to testify virtually, however, you can still testify in person at the Massachusetts Statehouse this Thursday, July 10th at 9:00AM, or submit written testimony. Find more information about the hearing as well as how to submit written testimony here. 

Take Action Another Way:

Support MA’s Wheelchair Repair Bill! Tell the House to report H.1278 (the Wheelchair Repair Reform bill) favorably from the Consumer Protection Committee! Fill out this form email created by the Disability Policy Consortium, and don’t forget to share your personal story!

Fully Fund Paralysis Resource Center through the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation in Fiscal Year 2026. Take Action here. 

Join the United Spinal Association Advocacy Hub – an all new Facebook group to discuss all things advocacy with fellow grassroots advocates. 

Share your story with Senator Markey on the impacts of federal funding cuts

ROCH Took Place Last Month – And It Was a Huge Success!

We’re proud to share that ROCH (Roll on Capitol Hill) was a tremendous achievement, with more than 100 people from across the nation gathering to meet with their elected officials. They spoke up for critical issues affecting our community, including: protecting Medicaid from harmful cuts, wheelchair repair reform, and improving accessible parking and paratransit services.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing SCIboston delegation — Donna King, Caitlin Reilly, and Pam Daly — who represented us with passion and determination in Washington, D.C.

Their advocacy made an impact, but we need your voice, too. Help us ensure our legislators continue to champion these essential initiatives, by taking just a few minutes to tell your legislators to:

Together, we can keep the pressure on and push for real, lasting change.

Check out some amazing photos from the event below!

Apply to be a Part of the Paul Spooner Generational Leadership Summit:

Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlborough, MA

September 29th - October 1st

The Summit intends to uplift the next generation of activists and community leaders from across Massachusetts, by empowering them to carry forward the disability rights movement and advocate for universal access, inclusion, and independence for all. If you are an emerging leader with a disability, please click here to learn more and apply by Thursday, July 10th.

Update on Texas v. Kennedy (Formerly Texas v. Becerra):

The states were required to provide an update in April, in which they stated that “they no longer seek to have Section 504 declared unconstitutional”. While this is reassuring, they are still actively challenging the Section 504 regulations finalized in 2024. These regulations include critical protections that prohibit discrimination in medical care for people with disabilities, such as organ transplant eligibility or access to life-saving treatments like ventilation. They also include accessibility requirements for websites and kiosks, medical diagnostic equipment, and wheelchair accessible scales, among other important provisions. The next court filing, or update, is scheduled for July 21st, 2025. Click here for more information from DREDF.

Join HALT:

The Housing Advocacy Leadership Team (HALT) is a group coordinated by the Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL) and the Disability Policy Consortium (DPC). HALT’s goals are to connect individuals with disabilities who are navigating housing barriers and to advocate for housing resources. HALT meetings are held on Mondays at 2 PM. Reach out to Noel Sanders, BCIL’s housing organizer, to learn more, at nsanders@bostoncil.org

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, July 9th:

Pacific ADA Center Webinar: Ask an ADA Professional: Accessible Temporary Events, from 2:00 - 3:00 pm, virtually.

Monday, July 14th:

The Disability Policy Consortium: Unstuck: A Community in Motion, biweekly from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, virtually. Join the contact list here.

Tuesday, July 15th:

Accessible Transportation Resource Center’s (ATRC) Sidewalk Accessibility Office Hours, from 1:00 - 2:00 pm, virtually.

Advocacy LIVE with the United Spinal Association, 5:00 - 6:00 pm, virtually.

Wednesday, July 16th:

Pacific ADA Center Webinar: The ADA 35th Anniversary: What are your rights as a person with a disability?, 3:00 - 4:00 pm, virtually.

Thursday, July 17th:

Riders’ Transportation Access Group (RTAG) General Meeting, 5:30-7:30 pm, virtually.

Wednesday, July 23rd:

ADA 35 Boston March and Roll, 12:00 - 2:00 pm, at 1 City Hall Square Boston, MA.

Wednesday, July 30th:

Mid Atlantic ADA Center’s Identifying Partners and Creating Opportunities: Enhancing Access to Recreation, 2:00 -3:00 pm, virtually.

In the Media:

Air Travel: DOT To Delay Biden Administration's New Airline Wheelchair Standards, Simple Flying

Education: Unanimous Supreme Court makes it easier to sue schools in disability cases, NPR

Section 504: States Drop Effort To Overturn Section 504, But Continue To Challenge Disability Protections, Disability Scoop

Disasters: Most states don't require school emergency plans for disabled students. They feel left behind and at risk., CBS and How to Prepare for Natural Disasters if You Have a Disability, NY Times

Employment: Boston launches new business training, certification for disability inclusion, Boston Globe

Medicaid: Cuts To Medicaid Will Destabilize The US Job Market, Health Affairs and New Studies Show How Cutting Medicaid Could Be Deadly, Trade Offs

Caregiving: Why is caregiving so hard in America? The answers emerge in a new film, NPR. Watch it on Well Beings or PBS.

DID YOU MISS THE LATEST SCIBOSTON SATURDAY EDUCATION SERIES?

Check out our Youtube channel to watch: Getting Started with Grassroots Advocacy! Click here to watch the recording!