Policies and Legislation
Deaf Organizations Fund is closely monitoring the numerous executive orders, court cases, and ongoing legislation affecting the work and survival of disability organizations and communities. Below are resources to help organizations understand potential impacts on their work and operations.
Federal Actions Affecting Deaf Nonprofits
Join us for a webinar led by Maria Wilson and Bobby Siebert to learn how recent Executive Orders and potential changes to Section 504 may affect deaf nonprofits.
Key topics:
- Executive Orders: (1) Ending DEIA-related work, and (2) Nonprofits partnering with federal government agencies or those receiving federal funds.
- Texas v. Becerra
Federal Actions Affecting Deaf Nonprofits
Join us for a webinar led by Maria Wilson and Bobby Siebert to learn how recent Executive Orders and potential changes to Section 504 may affect deaf nonprofits.
Key topics:
- Executive Orders: (1) Ending DEIA-related work, and (2) Nonprofits partnering with federal government agencies or those receiving federal funds.
- Texas v. Becerra
Webinar registrants must be affiliated with a nonprofit organization in order to attend.
This call on March 27th at 3 PM ET will be facilitated in American Sign Language (ASL), with English voice interpreting and captioning services provided.
Image Description (ID): A gray and white graphic with two headshots of Maria Wilson and Bobby Siebert. Between the two headshots are pink and teal triangles pointing left.
Bio: Maria Wilson (she/her) is a deaf attorney and impassioned human rights advocate. Strategic and intuitive, Wilson is the multi-faceted Chief Legal Officer and Board Secretary at Communication Service of the Deaf, Inc. (CSD), serving the CSD parent Board of Directors, along with the Deaf Organizations Fund. As a proactive pragmatist, Wilson has a reputation for delivering under pressure in a rapid and complex environment. She is a trusted and collaborative leader capable of effectively communicating and effectuating change at all professional levels. She received her B.A. with high honors from the University of Texas at Austin and her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center. She keeps Austin weird with her son, her rose garden, and a small populace of pets.
Maria’s ID: Maria, a smiling Latina with dark wavy brown hair, wears a black blouse underneath a bold red blazer and gold jewelry. Behind her is a teal backdrop
Bio: Bobby Siebert (he/him) began his journey at CSD nearly ten years ago, starting as a grant writer before growing into his current role as Vice President of Contracts and Compliance. Currently, he oversees CSD’s compliance and ethics program, a duty that requires him to stay abreast of changing legal guidelines and regulations and act as a trusted advisor across multiple business sectors and service lines. He holds a BS in Business Administration and a Master of Public Administration from Gallaudet University. He lives in Maryland with his wife and three sons.
Bobby’s ID: Bobby, a white man with a goatee and a solid-colored black long-sleeve shirt, smiles at the camera in front of a dark green background.
Webinar registrants must be affiliated with a nonprofit organization in order to attend.
This call on March 27th at 3 PM ET will be facilitated in American Sign Language (ASL), with English voice interpreting and captioning services provided.
Executive Orders
Numerous executive orders (EOs) passed by President Trump may directly impact the work of nonprofit organizations. The National Council on Nonprofits held a webinar on February 7 to share more information, and is also continually updating a chart outlining relevant EOs, their impact, and actions being taken.
YouTube thumbnail shows a video with a light blue backdrop. At the top is a navy banner with the following text in white: “Executive Actions and Their Impact on Charitable Nonprofits”. Below are headshots of four presenters. Please click the video to watch it in YouTube and access the ASL interpreting, video transcript, and captions.
YouTube thumbnail shows a video with dark navy backdrop. On the left side is the following text in white and all caps, “Drop Out of the Case” and on the right side is a deaf interpreter signing. Please click the video to watch it in YouTube and access the video transcript and captions.
Section 504 and Texas v. Becerra
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal law that protects the rights of disabled people. The Texas v. Becerra ongoing lawsuit claims Section 504 is unconstitutional and should be removed. The result of this case could have disastrous impacts on deaf communities and the organizations serving them. Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) provides continuous updates about this case, and has a webpage with detailed information and actions you can take.
Section 504 and Texas v. Becerra
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal law that protects the rights of disabled people. The Texas v. Becerra ongoing lawsuit claims Section 504 is unconstitutional and should be removed. The result of this case could have disastrous impacts on deaf communities and the organizations serving them. Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) provides continuous updates about this case, and has a webpage with detailed information and actions you can take.
YouTube thumbnail shows a video with dark navy backdrop. On the left side is the following text in white and all caps, “Drop Out of the Case” and on the right side is a deaf interpreter signing. Please click the video to watch it in YouTube and access the video transcript and captions.
Additional Resources
- FreeWill’s tool to help interpret effect of executive orders on your organization
- FreeWill’s email templates to request support from your board members and donors
- National Council of Nonprofits’ report form to share impact of EOs on your organization
- Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund’s information and resources on the attack on Medicaid
