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Archives for June 2026

Redesign of Disability Justice Website

Check out the fully revamped Disability Justice website!

Here’s the description:

"The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is pleased to announce that our Disability Justice website has been fully revamped!

This redesign is more than a visual update—it reflects our continued commitment to inclusion, improved navigation, updated and expanded resources, and a design that centers the core value of equal justice under law. Whether you are a self‑advocate, family advocate, law school student, educator, policymaker, attorney, or community partner, we hope you'll find it easier than ever to connect with the tools and information that support the civil rights of people with developmental disabilities."

Statewide Roadmap – Long Covid and Post-Viral Conditions

Long Covid and other post-viral chronic conditions continue to impact many Minnesotans and people worldwide in their ability to work, go to school, enjoy daily activities, and take care of themselves and others. (For data tracking see Surveillance and Data Analytics | Covid | CDC).  The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) posted its Statewide Roadmap to Address Long COVID and Post-Viral Chronic Conditions in May 2026 and it is an important resource for Minnesotans, especially those who have disabilities and experience Long Covid and other Post Viral Chronic Conditions.  Check out the Roadmap and share it with others! Statewide Roadmap to Address Long COVID and Post-Viral Chronic Conditions

This Roadmap was created by MDH, individuals with lived experience with Post Covid and other Post Viral Chronic Condition, community representatives (including MCIL), and many others.  The Roadmap recognizes the effects of “socioeconomic and structural inequities” and that the “inequities contribute to stigma, bias, and poor outcomes, and require practical recommendations grounded in social and disability justice.” (MDH: Statewide Roadmap to Address Long COVID and Post-Viral Chronic Conditions - MN Dept. of Health).

These lasting symptoms can prevent people from working, attending school, and taking care of themselves or their families, leading to profound emotional, physical, and financial impacts on people with post-viral IACCs and those close to them. It is important to have the Roadmap’s approach and resources.  Further, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Minnesota Human Rights Act, Section 504 and the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) have important rights and protections and you can contact Dan Stewart, dans@mcil-mn.org, at MCIL with questions these important laws.

Public Input Requested on Greater Minnesota Transit Plan

On June 3, 2026, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) opened a public comment period on its Greater Minnesota Transit Plan (GMTP). This Plan, according to MNDOT, “aims to update MnDOT's transit policies, assess mobility needs, and establish goals and strategies for public transit in both rural and urban regions. It promotes coordinated, equitable, and innovative mobility, reflecting recent trends and guiding post-COVID-19 transit priorities.” (Greater Minnesota Transit Plan | Let's Talk Transportation - MnDOT).

The GMTP can be accessed here: Greater Minnesota Transit Plan and you can give your comments and feedback on the GMTP here: Greater Minnesota Transit Plan | Let's Talk Transportation - MnDOT.  Also, there are public information sessions on:

Monday, June 22: 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 23: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

MNDOT indicated that each session will contain the same content.

Minnesota Disability Employment Statistics

To get a better understanding of what the employment of Minnesotans with disabilities is, MCIL reviewed multiple sources to come up with this summary.  Overall, there are about 350,000 working age Minnesotans with disabilities, (See MN Compass MN Compass Disability Stats).  However, only about 183,000 of these Minnesotans, have some form of full time or part time employment, (MN Compass Disability Characteristics Report at Page 7).  Most of these 183,000 working age Minnesotans work on a full-time or part-time basis where they earn at least applicable minimum wage (or, more simply “competitive integrated employment”  or CIE) through private and public employers.  CIE is a critical part of MCIL’s 7 Life Sustaining Dimensions strategy MCIL 7 Life Sustaining Dimensions Model - Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL).  Of those who want to work and are seeking work, the interactive process and reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Minnesota Human Rights Act are powerful tools.

When compared to Minnesotans without disabilities, there is a persistent and significant employment gap, MN Compass Disability Characteristics Report, page 8.  This gap exists nationwide.  People with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics - 2025. These unemployment and underemployment issues exist despite the passage and enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Minnesota Human Rights Act and despite the United States Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. L.C., Olmstead v. L. C. | 527 U.S. 581 (1999) | Justia U.S. Supreme Court Center.

Overall, these statistics means that there about 167,000 individuals with disabilities in Minnesota without any employment.  Of this 167,000, there are around 110,000 individuals who receive SSDI on the basis of prior work and who may be unable to currently work.  SSDI Beneficiaries in MN.  Excluding these recipients of SSDI for the moment (and noting that SSDI recipients can and do work and have access to SSDI work incentives), there are approximately 57,000 individuals with disabilities who likely could and want to work.  Importantly, in addition to this 57,000, there are many Minnesotans with disabilities who are underemployed and want to increase their work and pay.   (MN Compass Disability Characteristics Report, pages 7-9).

To support Minnesotans with disabilities, Minnesota has multiple additional supportive options that could help.  For example, while there is some overlap between these options,  the Minnesota Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and State Services for the Blind serve about 14,500 and 1,000 individuals per year respectively, MN SRC Annual Report; MN SSB Annual Report and Minnesota counties collectively assist 58,000 per year through employment-related Home and Community Based Waiver programs, (see MN Emp 1st Dashboard, “all waiver programs”).  Also, there are around 17,000 people who benefit from benefit and asset protections from the MA-EPD program, (see MN Emp 1st Dashboard, “MaEpd program”).

We also note that Minnesota, as one of the highest percentage users of subminimum wages (or “special minimum”) under the federal 14c legislation, has around 3,500 individuals earning around $4 per hour on average and for only about 10 hours per week in segregated employment.  Ending the Subminimum Wage in Minnesota; Pay People with Disabilities Minimum Wage or Higher; MN Emp 1st Dashboard.  It is hoped that segregated employment can lead to CIE.

In future posts, MCIL will identify options, strategies and resources for Minnesotans with disabilities to access CIE.

Minnesota Human Rights Act Amended and Strengthened

On May 18, 2026, Governor Walz signed into law a new provision of the Minnesota Human Rights Act.  This provision, found at Chapter 99 - MN Laws,  seeks to strengthen and clarify protections for people with disabilities when they are seeking reasonable accommodations in employment, housing, education, public services and public accommodations.

Specifically, the new provision, which will be included in Minnesota Statute 363A.03, Subd.2,  states:

"Failure to engage in the process to determine if a reasonable accommodation exists that would allow people with disabilities as defined in section 363A.03, subdivision 12, to participate fully in employment, housing and real property, public accommodations, public services, and education may be an unfair discriminatory practice under this chapter."

The Minnesota Human Rights Act, Ch. 363A MN Statutes, is similar to, but goes beyond, the protections of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.  Please contact Dan Stewart, dans@mcil-mn.org if you have questions.