Essential Disability News and Inclusion Stories
We’ve gathered the latest disability news, accessibility updates, and inclusion stories from trusted sources across the web. These curated links highlight the trends, rights issues, and lived experiences shaping the disability community today.
Listen to this Article
Netflix launches new training scheme for disabled and neurodivergent accountants
Netflix and the Production Guild of Great Britain have launched a fully funded training scheme for deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent accountants. The year-long programme combines classroom learning with placements on Netflix productions, offering trainees practical industry experience and clear career pathways in film and television. Applications close 4 November 2025.
Uber Sued By Justice Department For Disability Discrimination
The U.S. Justice Department is suing Uber for disability discrimination, alleging the company and its drivers routinely deny rides, impose unlawful surcharges, and mistreat passengers with service animals or mobility devices. The lawsuit seeks policy changes, ADA training, penalties, and compensation, while Uber disputes the claims, citing accessibility initiatives.
Delivery Robot ‘Acting Erratically’ Nearly Crashed Into a Man with Cerebral Palsy, Sparking Safety Concerns
A man with cerebral palsy in Los Angeles was nearly run down by a delivery robot while on his mobility scooter due to erratic robot behavior. He says this highlights serious gaps in inclusive design and how disabled people are often excluded from product-testing processes. A robotics company has responded by creating an Accessibility Council in response.
CDC Eliminates Remote Work as Disability Accommodation
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has stopped allowing remote work as a reasonable accommodation, affecting employees with disabilities and temporary health issues. Critics argue this could violate disability rights law and disproportionately impact disabled workers.
“Sport For All” Project by EU & Council of Europe
The “Sport For All: Promoting Inclusion and Combating Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities” project aims to address and reduce physical, sensory, intellectual, and psychosocial barriers in sports. It will run from March 2025 to August 2026, including capacity building for sports-professionals, awareness videos, best-practice sharing, etc.
Global Disability Summit marks pivotal moment in advancing health for all
Inclusion is a fundamental right, not a negotiable choice. At the Global Disability Summit in Berlin (April 2025), WHO reaffirmed its commitment through a new Global Initiative on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities. This effort seeks to transform health systems, strengthen policies, and ensure sustainable, inclusive futures for all.
CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Spotlight on Adaptive Fashion (USA)
At the 2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Challenge, adaptive fashion was given special attention: finalists were paired with muses from “Tilting the Lens” (an accessibility consultancy), to produce adaptive designs. The idea was to shift adaptive design from being a niche to being a design norm.
Primark’s Adaptive Clothing Range
Primark launched a 49-piece adaptive clothing collection co-designed with Victoria Jenkins (a disabled designer / founder of Unhidden). The collection includes adaptive trenchcoats, magnetic zips, hidden access for medical devices, and designs for seated wearers, with affordable pricing. This helps make adaptive fashion more mainstream.
EU Court of Justice’s decision enhances protection at work for carers of children with disabilities
On 11 September, the Court of Justice of the EU ruled that workplace protection against disability discrimination includes “discrimination by association.” Employers must adapt working arrangements for employees caring for children with disabilities. The decision supports carers, particularly women, and highlights the need for state-funded in-home and community support services.
Changing the Narrative on Disability in Film
At Cannes, Easterseals Southern California’s Nancy Weintraub and actor-producer Nic Novicki highlighted the need for authentic disability representation in film and TV. With one in four people globally disabled yet appearing in less than 3% of media, they champion initiatives like the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge to create opportunities and drive inclusion.
Advancing Accessibility Together: A Step Forward in Inclusive Design
Starbucks’ Inclusive Spaces Framework, developed with accessibility experts, is recognized as the “Gold Standard” for inclusive retail design. Featuring innovations like accessible counters, signage, and acoustics, it fosters belonging for all customers. As a founding member of The Access Coalition, Starbucks champions industry-wide accessibility, extending its longstanding culture of inclusion.
Resilience Through Community in Autism
Trisha Fenby, advocating for her autistic daughter in the U.S., emphasizes that resilience for people with disabilities isn’t built in isolation. Instead, meaningful connection, recognition, and equitable opportunity are key.