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Philanthropic Organizations Committed to Disability Solidarity Respond to the Passage of H.R. 1

July 17, 2025

This July, we will commemorate the 35th anniversary of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA was founded on the principles of unity among individuals with disabilities, civil rights organizations, and across political ideologies. With the passage of H.R. 1, we are witnessing the frayed threads of our democracy unravel as older adults, veterans, people with disabilities, and families with children, already teetering on the cliff, are now facing one of the most challenging moments of our lifetimes. In a truly disability inclusive country, where rights are respected, programs like Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, IDEA, and SNAP are fully funded and essential to achieving disability justice. 

While we feel a deep sense of sorrow and, at times, even outrage, our resolve remains strong. Movements are built on unity and reflect our deepest hopes for democracy, our love for our communities, and our commitment to the boldest aspirations of our cause. As champions and leaders of disability justice, rights, and inclusion in philanthropy – we firmly believe that our democracy is made stronger when those closest to the solutions have the resources to continue to lead the way forward. Alongside the Disability & Philanthropy Forum, we remain firm and unwavering in resourcing and being in solidarity with disabled people and organizations by taking even bolder actions to dismantle ableism.

Let’s celebrate the progress of what the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act achieved with this list of 35 actions that the philanthropic sector can take.

Signatories: