Rights and Justice

Disability Justice Initiative

We promote policies to ensure disabled people of color and those most marginalized by ableism and other forms of oppression can participate in the economy and democracy.

View of demonstrators as they hold a banner that reads "Disability Rights are Human Rights" during a march inside Grand Central Station in New York. (Getty/Barbara Alper)

What We're Doing

Ensuring an equitable economy for people with disabilities

We broaden the public discourse by decision-makers to increase the focus on consequences of poverty and inequality for people with disabilities and their families. We also coordinate collaborative discussions between the reproductive justice and disability communities on issues of inclusive economic growth.

Repairing the social safety net for people with disabilities

We advance legislation and executive action to streamline access to programs and optimize effectiveness in serving people with low incomes, particularly people with disabilities. We defend Medicaid, Social Security, the ADA, and other policies that support people with disabilities and their families.

Centering multimarginalized identities

We develop research, policy analyses, and messaging tools to raise awareness around the specific challenges that multimarginalized disabled individuals face, particularly focusing on Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, women, and immigrants.

Advancing disability-forward, pro-voter legislation

We advance legislation and executive action that expand voter access, particularly for the disability community, and increase collaboration between the disability community and democracy groups.

The Disability Justice Initiative promotes policies to ensure disabled people of color and those most marginalized by ableism and other forms of oppression can participate in the economy and democracy.

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Featured work

Latest

Compact View

Disabled People Deserve to Make a Living Wage In the News

Disabled People Deserve to Make a Living Wage

In an op-ed published by DC Journal, Mia Ives-Rublee explains why an archaic U.S. Department of Labor program involving 14(c) certificates is dangerous and should be phased out.

DC Journal

Mia Ives-Rublee

CAP Submits Comments Supporting Proposed Section 14(c) Rule To End Subminimum Wages for Disabled People Article

CAP Submits Comments Supporting Proposed Section 14(c) Rule To End Subminimum Wages for Disabled People

The Center for American Progress submitted comments in support of the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division’s new proposed rule to phase out Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, ensuring disabled workers are no longer paid subminimum wages.

Mia Ives-Rublee

‘Patrice: The Movie’: A Reel Progress Screening Past Event
Film promotion for 'Patrice: The Movie,' Garry and Patrice are on a pink background. Garry is in a wheelchair looking up at Patrice. Partrice is wearing glasses and a walking aide smiling at the camera.

‘Patrice: The Movie’: A Reel Progress Screening

Join the Center for American Progress for a special screening and discussion on a documentary rom-com about the next phase of marriage equality: disability.

2023 CAP IDEAS Conference Past Event
CAP IDEAS Conference logo

2023 CAP IDEAS Conference

Join the Center for American Progress as we celebrate 20 years of innovative policy solutions and look boldly forward to a progressive future.

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