Disability news
What’s new in the disability community.
A weekly roundup of policy, research, mobility and community news for people with disabilities, aging adults and the families who support them.
Updated
This week’s news
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Policy & funding
New Medicaid eligibility requirement struck down
A federal judge threw out a rule that would have made many people with disabilities prove they can’t work to stay exempt from Medicaid work requirements. Advocates are calling it a win.
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Policy & funding
Federal judge rejects new Medicaid “frailty” definition for work requirements
After 25 states sued, the ruling restores the broader exemptions Congress wrote for people who are sick or disabled.
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Policy & funding
Medicaid work requirements go live in two months. Many states won’t be ready.
The new work rules start at the beginning of 2027, and many states say their systems aren’t ready, raising concerns that eligible people could lose coverage.
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Policy & funding
What could Medicaid work requirements mean for SSI applicants?
KFF explains how the new rules could make it harder for some people applying for SSI to keep Medicaid while they wait for a decision.
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Policy & funding
Families face years-long waitlists for Medicaid home and community-based services
About 650,000 people nationwide are waiting for Medicaid waivers that help people with disabilities live at home, a 7% increase since 2025, according to KFF.
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Policy & funding
HHS announces more than $35 million in new grants for disability research, technology and training
68 new grants fund work on rehabilitation, jobs, independent living and assistive technology, including a wheelchair-mounted robotic arm and mental health support after spinal cord injury.
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Policy & funding
Social Security announces 3.6 percent benefit increase for 2027
Social Security and SSI payments will rise 3.6 percent for 2027.
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Policy & funding
HHS announces up to $27.8 million for falls prevention
Three new awards over three years will help aging and disability networks deliver falls prevention programs for older adults.
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Policy & funding
How states are shaping home- and community-based services
A roundup of new state laws on eligibility, waitlists, provider pay and oversight for the services that help older adults and people with disabilities live at home.
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Research & treatment
From thought to movement: new technology for spinal cord injury
Researchers at The Miami Project are testing a system that links a person’s intention to move with spinal cord stimulation to improve arm and hand function after a neck-level injury.
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Research & treatment
Trial to treatment: BreakThru SCI reimagines spinal cord injury care
A family-founded group that grew out of a clinical trial is pushing regulators to measure the improvements that matter most to people living with spinal cord injury.
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Research & treatment
Spinal cord injury reshapes gut microbes that influence whole-body health
Studies in mice link spinal cord injury to gut changes tied to inflammation and muscle loss, pointing toward possible gut-based treatments.
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Research & treatment
Closing the loop on blood flow control in spinal cord injury
Researchers built a system that uses ultrasound readings of spinal cord blood flow to adjust medication automatically. It preserved nerve function in animal studies.
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Research & treatment
New framework calls for lifelong care after brain and spinal cord injuries
Researchers writing in The Lancet Neurology say brain and spinal cord injuries should be treated as lifelong conditions, with long-term follow-up for heart, metabolic and mental health risks.
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Research & treatment
Magnetic sensors track muscle movement for better prosthetic limb control
MIT researchers tracked muscle movement with tiny implanted magnetic beads, which could make prosthetic limbs easier to control for people with amputations.
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Research & treatment
Study identifies factors affecting access to rehab after stroke
Yale researchers looked at what affects whether stroke survivors get the rehabilitation they need after leaving the hospital.
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Research & treatment
Cell-free treatment reduces brain damage and improves recovery after stroke in mice
A treatment made from proteins released by stem cells reduced brain damage and improved balance, coordination and memory in mice after a stroke.
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Mobility & equipment
Congressman urges airlines to let wheelchair users stay in their own wheelchairs on flights
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. is asking federal officials and airlines to advance seating systems so wheelchair users don’t have to transfer into standard seats.
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Mobility & equipment
Dubai airport adds accessible equipment and trials autonomous wheelchairs
The airport services company dnata is adding battery-operated wheelchairs and testing self-driving chairs that could help travelers get around on their own.
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Mobility & equipment
Amtrak makes accessibility upgrades to four stations across two states
Level surfaces and other station upgrades make boarding easier for people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
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Mobility & equipment
Wheels and Bones: a free game about wheelchair repair and seating
A free browser game teaches the basics of wheelchair repair and seating.
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Hope & impact
Using a wheelchair since age 4, he’s traveled to all seven continents
Travel writer Cory Lee has visited 56 countries in a 400-pound power wheelchair and shares accessibility tips with wheelchair users around the world.
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Hope & impact
17-year-old runs Chicago Marathon less than a year after spinal cord injury
Wyatt Anderson was paralyzed from the neck down after a basketball injury. Less than a year later, he ran the Chicago Marathon to raise money for spinal cord injury research.
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Hope & impact
Paralympic champion Ezra Frech takes on Dancing With the Stars
The Paralympic gold medalist talks about competing this season and his chance to become the first amputee to win the show.
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Hope & impact
Paralympians bring lessons in inclusion to JMU
Four Team USA Paralympians visited campus to show students how adaptive sports break down barriers.
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Hope & impact
ABL Fitness serving “booming demand” for adaptive exercise
A Massachusetts adaptive fitness program for people with disabilities and neurodivergence is growing to keep up with demand.
Links open news sites outside splitsecondfoundation.org. Split Second Foundation doesn’t write or control these articles. Need help finding services? Split Second Cares can help, at no cost.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Where is Split Second Cares located?
The physical address is 1995 Gentilly Blvd., Suite C-18, New Orleans, LA 70119. The Cares program shares space at the fitness center location, however, a majority of Cares services can be accessed through virtual connection by emailing info@splitsecondfoundation.org. Group events occur in accessible spaces throughout the Greater New Orleans area.
What type of services does Split Second Cares offer?
Resource navigation: such as connecting you with state and local disability services, healthcare navigation, and practical needs such as contractors or transportation services. We make sure that you are connected to all disability related programs available to you.
Mental wellness: we provide referrals to counselors and we run several different types of wellness and social groups for adults.
Equipment: We are able to consult on medical and mobility equipment and point you in the right direction for your equipment and service needs.
Education: We are able to provide general disability education as well as condition specific education in some cases. We also have many partner organizations to share with you!
How much does it cost to attend?
The Split Second Cares program is completely free of charge. Anyone that is a member of Split Second Fitness automatically has access to all of the services the Cares program offers. If you are not a member and you would like information to be put on the list for email updates, email info@splitsecondfoundation.org