1/20/26 - Part-time wheelchair use, accessible wilderness, and a research study

Andrew Pulrang

20 Jan 2026 — 4 min read

White wheelchair symbol on a reflective glass wall

Hello!

After yesterday's links on ICE actions, today's articles feel like they are lowering the temperature a bit. That wasn't intentional, but I'm kind of glad it's turning out that way. Disability issues don't always have the highest stakes. That doesn't always make the less intense issues unimportant.

2026 Disability Thinking Weekday Poll

Run Away star addresses online comments about character disability: "I stand by the way we did it"

Morgan Cormack, RadioTimes.com - January 9, 2026

"Viewers have noticed that Henry uses her wheelchair in some scenes and is seen standing or walking in others, something that comes with being an ambulatory wheelchair user ... Some social media users have even highlighted it as if it was a continuity error ..."

It's hard to believe that there are still significant numbers of people who are surprised or confused that there are part-time wheelchair users. As someone who has recently become one, it seems completely natural and sensible to me. Do people really think there's something illegitimate about someone who can walk using a wheelchair sometimes, or about a disabled TV character doing that? Or, are we confused about what they are actually confused about?

NY DEC aims to improve outdoor access for mobile disabilities

Courtney Ward, ABC News 10 - January 9, 2026

"The DEC said the new draft policy is intended to replace Commissioner Policy 3 (Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities), continuing the permitted opportunities identified under that policy for cars, trucks, and ATVs, while also expanding opportunities for a wider range of devices. The proposal also identifies areas of DEC-managed lands where certain categories of OPDMDs would not be allowed due to public safety issues, risks to natural resources, or other concerns."

I remember having real, heated arguments 20 years ago with a committed disabled activist about accessibility rules in the wilderness areas of the Adirondack Mountains, which are to the West of where I live. I tended to favor allowing at least a few wheelchair users to use powered vehicles to enjoy at least some areas of the Adirondack Park, while the other person was adamantly opposed. Most of all, I remember thinking that the issue itself wasn't that important to me, and feeling that compromise should be fairly easy to achieve. Of course, it's also a classic example of when disability rights and accessibility goals come into conflict with other, equally important priorities, like protecting the environment.

You're invited to participate in an ableism research study

Maria Town, American Association of People with Disabilities - January 12, 2026

"This study is seeking input from disabled people and disability advocates to better understand how ableism shows up in everyday life and how it can be addressed. The research is grounded in disability community leadership, and participant perspectives are essential to informing its findings."

I believe this study is open only the disabled people in the US. But questions of eligibility seem to be fleshed out in the initial survey offered to register interest in participating. I look forward to finding out more about this study and what it reveals.

Urgent: We Must Act to Save the Protection and Advocacy Network - with the National Disability Rights Network

Medicaid Saves Lives – Sign the Petition to Protect It! - with The Arc

Request Bipartisan Oversight Hearings for Dismantling of US Dept of Education with the National Down Syndrome Congress

Disability Thinking Weekday is a Monday-Friday newsletter with links and commentary on disability-related articles and other content. You can help promote Disability Thinking Weekday by forwarding it by email or posting on your social media. You can also comment by sending me an email at: apulrang@icloud.com. Collected comments are shared on the first of each month. A free subscription sends a newsletter to your email each weekday. Benefits of paid subscription include:

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