Trump's Hidden Plan To Gut Disability Rights

Tiffany Yu on how ableism shapes our politics, what’s at stake in the 2024 election, and how we can build a more inclusive world for disabled Americans.

Oct 11, 2024

With the 2024 election just weeks away (gulp), we’re at that all-too-familiar pivotal moment. Candidates are being grilled on everything from healthcare to abortion to the economy—but what often gets lost in the noise is how all of these policies disproportionately affect disabled Americans. Disability rights are rarely the star of the show in political campaigns, even though 61 million adults in the U.S. live with a disability. And in an election where voter suppression, healthcare access, and economic justice are hanging in the balance, the fight for disability inclusion has never been more urgent—or more overlooked.

A History of Overlooked Concerns

In every election cycle I’ve had the privilege to cover, I’ve been fortunate to interview disabled voters and hear about their concerns. Back in 2016, I reported on how disabled Americans reacted to Trump mocking a disabled reporter (twice). The incident sent shockwaves through the disability community, with many feeling hurt, disrespected, and overlooked by a presidential candidate who should have been advocating for all Americans. In 2020, I spoke with a group of first-time voters with developmental disabilities, all eager to vote Trump out of office.

Introducing Tiffany Yu: Champion of Disability Inclusion

Now, I’m excited to share a conversation with a total star of the disability rights movement—Tiffany Yu. She founded Diversability and just published a timely and urgent book, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World. I love her work because it underscores that ableism isn’t just a social issue—it’s a political one, with serious consequences for how disabled Americans navigate their daily lives, exercise their right to vote, and access healthcare. In this election, where our votes will determine whether the future becomes more inclusive or exclusive, Tiffany’s manifesto couldn’t be more relevant.

liz and tiffany hold her book in front of step and repeat

Contrasting the Candidates on Disability Rights

Before we get into our conversation, let’s contrast the candidates on disability issues, because unfortunately this isn’t getting the coverage it deserves.

While the Trump administration did implement some initiatives to support people with disabilities—such as allocating COVID-19 funding for resource development, expanding veteran care programs, and launching employment initiatives—Trump also infamously suggested injecting bleach to combat COVID-19. Despite providing ADA training and expanding certain Medicare coverages, the administration faced criticism for proposing budget cuts to disability benefits and social programs. Policy changes that were seen as harmful included reducing funding for developmental disability research and scaling back civil rights investigations in education. Additionally, Trump has a history of using ableist language, frequently insulting opponents by attacking their intelligence, calling Kamala Harris "mentally disabled" and "low IQ."

The Biden-Harris administration, with the Vice President playing a key role, has focused on improving transportation accessibility, investing in rail and airport infrastructure to enhance access for people with disabilities (an issue I’ve covered extensively). They have also engaged with disability rights leaders and advocated for fair wages and expanded employment opportunities. Unlike Trump, Kamala Harris doesn’t have a history of imitating people with disabilities, and denying them services before running for office.

The Threat of Project 2025: Turning Back the Clock

Project 2025, the plan that everyone who worked for Trump helped write—yet Trump swears he’s never heard of—would have significant negative impacts on people with disabilities. The plan suggests gutting Medicaid, potentially forcing many disabled individuals out of their homes and into institutions. It aims to dismantle the Department of Education, weakening protections for disabled students. The proposal also threatens to undermine the Americans with Disabilities Act and recent advancements in digital accessibility. Shockingly, it suggests defunding specialized institutions like Gallaudet University and the Helen Keller National Center. The plan's proposed work requirements for benefits and potential rollback of healthcare discrimination protections could leave many disabled individuals very vulnerable. Overall, Project 2025 would reverse decades of progress in disability rights, potentially leading to increased isolation and reduced quality of life for millions of disabled Americans.

So while both administrations have taken steps to address disability issues, their approaches and priorities could not be more different.

Now that we have a good primer, let’s get into our conversation with Tiffany!

LP: First of all, thank you for writing the book I’ve been waiting my whole life to read! Not only is it such a fun and delightful journey, but it’s also an invaluable resource for anyone looking to understand the heart of the disability rights movement. One of the things I loved most is how you emphasize that ableism isn’t just a social issue—it’s deeply political, too. With that in mind, how do you see ableism playing out in this election, and what’s one meaningful change you’d love to see from candidates when it comes to addressing disability rights?

TY: Disability intersects with many policy issues ranging from gun violence and school shootings to reproductive justice. In many ways, the fact that disability flies under the radar in political discourse is because of ableism. The way ableism manifests throughout this election and beyond is not even being thought about in the first place, or not being seen as an influential enough voting block (despite being over 25% of the US population). We are still seeing presidential candidates weaponize mental illness and insult other candidates, and when we see our leadership model that, it continues to perpetuate stigma that disability is a bad thing. One change I’d like to see is candidates framing disability rights and disability justice as more than “niche” issues and instead central to their platforms. This means including disability perspectives in their policies, prioritizing accessibility, and addressing systemic ableism. For example, it is still legal to pay disabled people below minimum wage in the majority of states and for those who depend on disability benefits, it is almost impossible for them to afford rent anywhere on their own due to income caps.

LP: The Trump administration has proposed cuts to Medicare in previous budgets, how would this impact people with disabilities, can you draw a picture for us?

TY: Cuts to Medicare would be devastating for disabled people. Many disabled Americans rely on Medicare for essential healthcare, including services like physical therapy, mobility aids, and medications. Reducing these resources doesn’t just limit access; it affects quality of life, independence, and sometimes even life expectancy. Proposed cuts would mean having to fight for basic services and our fundamental human right to live.

LP: Americans with disabilities struggle to exercise a right that most take for granted — voting. Voter suppression disproportionately affects disabled people, with accessibility at the polls still a significant issue. What many don’t realize is just how severe this disparity is. When I covered this issue for Vox nearly a decade ago, I was shocked to find how little had been done to address it, despite countless voices calling for change. The situation remains dire. In this election, what are the crucial changes needed to ensure that disabled Americans can vote freely and without barriers? What steps must be taken to finally eliminate the systemic obstacles that have been ignored for far too long?

TY: Disabled Americans face many barriers when it comes to voting, from inaccessible polling places to long lines that can be physically exhausting (I recently learned that 100,000 polling places have closed since 2020, which also disproportionally impacts disabled voters having to travel further to their polling places or wait in line longer). While there have been some voting wins recently calling for accessible election websites and polling place accessibility thanks to the Justice Department’s ADA Voting Initiative, there is still more that needs to be done to ensure that poll workers are trained on accessibility and continue to push to preserve vote by mail and accessible voting options. Given many of these barriers, I would encourage disabled voters (and all voters) to make sure they have a voting plan well ahead of Election Day. You can find helpful resources from REV UP, an initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD).

LP: Your book outlines practical steps for dismantling ableism in various sectors, from workplaces to healthcare. What are some immediate actions you believe the next administration should take to create a more disability-inclusive country?

TY: In addition to phasing out 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act and increasing asset limits for those on disability benefits, the next administration should focus on making sure that the goals of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are realized. My focus is on disability-centered economic justice. This means ensuring that workplaces hire disabled people to close the disability employment gap and that more support and investment are made in helping disability-owned small businesses grow. A more disability-inclusive country also means expanding access to affordable healthcare and housing and removing barriers to public transportation, education, etc. so that all of us can participate equitably and thrive in this lifetime.

TY: And I think that part of the reason that progress for people with disabilities has been so slow is because disability rights are far too often sidelined during national elections. In 2016, we saw a rare exception when Hillary Clinton made disability rights a key focus of her campaign. Since then, however, the issue seems to have faded from the spotlight, even though it impacts millions of Americans. How can we bring this conversation back and make sure that disability rights are front and center in the 2024 election and beyond? What can the disability community and its allies do to ensure these critical issues aren’t just background noise, but a central part of the political agenda?

LP: Project 2025 doesn’t just aim to restrict access to reproductive healthcare; it could radically reshape the landscape of reproductive rights for disabled Americans. By limiting abortion access and defunding Planned Parenthood, which offers critical health services to the disabled community, the plan threatens more than just healthcare—it jeopardizes bodily autonomy. But it doesn’t stop there. Project 2025’s proposal to roll back discrimination protections could potentially reactivate dormant state eugenics laws, laws that once allowed the forced sterilization of disabled individuals. What’s really at stake here and what does this mean for the disabled community’s reproductive freedom in the years to come?

TY: Project 2025 is a grave threat to reproductive rights for disabled people. Reproductive justice is a disability justice issue. While some disabled people are questioned on their capacity to be a parent, other disabled people might have their pregnancy labeled high risk and “are more likely to experience blood clotting, hemorrhaging and infection during pregnancy.” Pro-life advocates may also weaponize disability by saying that giving someone the choice would mean that a disabled child would not be born. We all deserve to have autonomy over our bodies and reproductive choices.

LP: In your book, you emphasize the power of storytelling in fostering empathy and creating real understanding. But in a political landscape that often overlooks disabled voices, how can politicians and campaigns leverage the stories of disabled Americans to truly connect with voters and shape more inclusive policies? More importantly, how can we ensure that these stories reflect the full intersectionality of the disability experience—taking into account race, gender, and socioeconomic status?

TY: I have a quote in the book saying something along the lines of, “Even if you don’t think we exist, we are everywhere.” Remember that we are your constituents and your voters, so ensure that you have disabled voices and perspectives when crafting policy. Actively engage with the disability community by connecting with the local disability office, commission, or advocacy groups, and make it a regular habit to show up. The disability community is not a monolith – remember that disability intersects with race, gender, socioeconomic status, and most other demographics.

LP: What advice do you have for voters with disabilities who may feel that neither party is doing enough to address their needs in this election? How can they advocate for better representation and inclusion moving forward?

TY: While it is understandable that all attention is on the presidential election, and you may feel like neither party represents your needs, remember that your voice matters. Change starts on the hyperlocal level. Get involved with your city’s disability office or commission, connect with disability advocacy groups, and stay informed about the policies that you care about. There are many ways that you can continue to advocate and push for change in your circles outside of voting (though your vote does matter so please make sure you do it!).

LP: What is the last thing that gave you hope?

TY: The solidarity within the disability community gives me hope. I started Diversability 15 years ago and it does feel like there has been progress over that period of time. I love the ways that we support and celebrate each other and the increased disability representation in all spaces. I’m rooting for all of us.

LP: Thank you Tiffany!! Please come back anytime and have fun on your book tour! We love your work and we’re so glad you’re out in the world doing it!

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