Plain Language AAPD Explainers

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Explaining What The End of The Government Shutdown Means for Disabled Americans In Plain Language

Plain Language AAPD Explainers

The Government Shutdown is Over After 43 days, Congress has agreed to fund the government. This means that programs like SNAP benefits and Veterans Affairs get funded. SNAP benefits help low-income people and disabled people afford food. Veterans Affairs help people...

Explaining Federal Reductions-In-Force (RIF) And How They Impact Disability In Plain Language

Plain Language AAPD Explainers

What is a Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? A Reduction-in-Force (RIF) is when a government permanently eliminates some positions. This causes people to lose their jobs. This is different from when government employees stop working temporarily. That is called a furlough. This...

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Recent Posts

Explaining What the Government Shutdown Means for Disability and Food Programs In Plain Language

Update as of October 27, 2025: The government has been shut down for four weeks, with no end in sight. Congress has failed to pass a bill funding t...

Oct 14, 2025

Explaining The House Budget Reconciliation Bill And Its Impact on Disabled People In Plain Language

On May 22nd, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget reconciliation bill by just one vote. The bill contains many provisions that w...

May 25, 2025

Explaining Budget Reconciliation In Plain Language

What Is Reconciliation? The House and Senate must each pass a budget resolution every year. Reconciliation is a process to address issues in the b...

May 25, 2025

Explaining The HHS Draft Budget And How It Harms Disabled People In Plain Language

On April 16th 2025, The Washington Post reported on a leaked budget. This budget came from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These...

Apr 23, 2025

Explaining A New Rule Getting Rid of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau In Plain Language

On January 7, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule titled “Prohibition on Creditors and Consumer Reporting Age...

Apr 02, 2025

Explaining The Election Executive Order In Plain Language

On March 25, the President put out an executive order (EO) about elections. This EO is called ““Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of Am...

Mar 27, 2025

Explaining Recent Changes at the Department of Education In Plain Language

What is Happening at the Department of Education? On March 20, President Trump issued an Executive Order entitled “Improving Education by Empowerin...

Mar 20, 2025

Explaining Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) and Recent Changes to DEIA In Plain Language

What Is Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA)? What Changes Are Happening with DEIA? The President has been attacking DEI and DEIA ...

Feb 16, 2025

Explaining the Federal Funding Pause In Plain Language

What is the federal funding pause? On January 27, 2025, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sent out a memo that told federal ag...

Jan 29, 2025