News in disability communities moved at an almost horrifying speed in 2025. While we expect more of the same in 2026, and while journalists are prone to pessimism, there are also a number of broader trends our team will be watching closely in the year ahead.
Will the ADA Be Gutted?
It can be easy to forget that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed under—and signed by—a Republican president, George H.W. Bush, in 1990. Since then, we’ve seen the fortunes of disability-focused legislation wax and wane. There has been widespread concern in disability-advocacy communities that the ADA may draw the ire of Donald Trump in his second term.
Thus far, the ADA has held, but Trump has kept 14(c) certificates—which allow some Disabled people to be paid less than minimum wage—on the books, despite a Biden-era proposed change that would have phased out the loophole. As Disability Scoop reported, the administration has formally abandoned plans to eliminate subminimum wage.
He is also currently arguing, as part of a legal case brought against him by the National Association of the Deaf, that American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters can be removed from public press conferences because they distract from his image. We’ll be following closely to see what attacks disability rights will have to withstand over the next year.
What Impact Will the Milano-Cortina Paralympics Have?
Another year, another Paralympics—this time in Italy. The Winter Paralympics are smaller than their summer counterpart—six sports compared to the 23 slated for Los Angeles in 2028—but there is always buzz about what accessibility and cultural improvements the world’s biggest para-sport event will bring, particularly in light of the legacy goals of the Milano-Cortina Games.
Much was made about accessibility changes following Paris, but there are also a number of sport-specific questions: How will the de facto ban on athletes representing Russia and Belarus—and the broader tensions between nations—play out at the Games, given that no athletes from either country have qualified? Will scrutiny of women’s (lack of) representation in para hockey grow? And who will come out on top in some of the most exciting cold-weather sports on the planet?
Which Disabled Political Candidates Break Through?
There is a distinct lack of publicly Disabled candidates in North American politics for a variety of reasons. Some of it is financial; some of it is the perception of being weak or incapable of serving; and some of it is simply that major political parties haven’t invested in Disabled political candidates in ways that allow them to be out and proud.
Many politicians have been Disabled—one could argue the majority of American presidents fall under that umbrella (in a non-ableist way)—but we’re starting to see more candidates make disability part of their platform.
In 2026, some prominent Disabled candidates will appear on the ballot during a vital year for American democracy. One we’re keeping an eye on is Josh Turek, a former Paralympian and current sitting (not a wheelchair joke—though it could be) state representative in Iowa, who is seeking the Democratic nomination in the fight for a key U.S. Senate seat in November.
How Will U.S. Cuts to International Aid Affect Disabled People Worldwide?
The Trump administration has dismantled USAID, cutting off key pathways that support Disabled people in developing countries and, in the case of infectious diseases like tuberculosis, hampering prevention efforts.
We’ll continue to track how the shift toward “America First” rhetoric—and a renewed embrace of American exceptionalism by U.S. politicians—has translated into what amounts to a “Disabled People Last” policy.
While Affordable Care Act subsidies, punitive back-to-work requirements for Disabled people, and the broader dismantling of the nation’s social-support framework have grabbed headlines, we at DJA believe it’s critical to examine how that ethos spreads internationally.
Whether through funding international conflicts that result in more people becoming Disabled, cozying up to countries with poor human-rights records on disability, or reintroducing slurs into the language of diplomacy, this is a trend we’ll continue to monitor.
Will Disabled Student Supports Be Further Eroded?
Disability supports for students of all ages saw a sharp downturn in 2025. Trump’s implosion of the U.S. Department of Education under Linda McMahon also led to the decimation of staff dedicated to supporting Disabled students through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
There is also concern that the push toward private-school vouchers could further disenfranchise Disabled students and widen an already atrocious educational-attainment gap. Finally, as journalists, we’re concerned that federal data-gathering efforts related to disability—such as those conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics—could fall victim to anti-DEI initiatives.
A lack of reliable data almost guarantees that disability coverage will worsen. After all, if a font can be deemed “too woke,” it’s fair to assume that Disabled students—particularly those marginalized in multiple ways—may once again find themselves on the wrong side of the administration.
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