Michelle A. Meade, PhD
Disability Health Researcher. Rehab Psychologist. Disability Advocate. Professor @UMich.edu, member @um-ihpi.bsky.social. Director U-M CDHW @ michmed.org/disabilityhealth . Mom. Girl Scout Troop Leader.
- Thank you to those who were able to attend yesterday's event. Dr. Brandie Bentley led a powerful discussion about the treatment of people with #disabilities in healthcare and intersections with race - honoring narratives, allowing space for discomfort, and guiding us to identifying solutions.
- Please join us at U-M CDHW on 1/22/26 as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and co-create solutions for how his message of social justice can inform healthcare for people with #disabilities. WHEN: Thurs, Jan 22, 2026, from 12 to 2 p.m. ET WHERE: Online on Zoom, register here: michmed.org/3Gz82
- Please join us at U-M CDHW on 1/22/26 as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and co-create solutions for how his message of social justice can inform healthcare for people with #disabilities. WHEN: Thurs, Jan 22, 2026, from 12 to 2 p.m. ET WHERE: Online on Zoom, register here: michmed.org/3Gz82
- Healthcare, more than any other industry, has a responsibility to ensure accessible environments and services for people with #disabilities. To learn about the resources that the U-M CDHW is creating to address disability healthcare disparities, check out our website disabilityhealthresources.org
- Thank you to @um-ihpi.bsky.socia for encouraging me to integrate questions about disability identity into your poll. For me, #disability is not a word to be avoided but one that can enhance understanding and facilitate problem solving. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/h...
- Reposted by Michelle A. Meade, PhDIt's that time of year again... time for #DisabledInSTEM 2026 Mentorship applications! I'm so excited to be running this program for the sixth year and seeing the growth over the years! Mentee form: forms.gle/um5DvYnBi3tn... Mentor form: forms.gle/BvaxnQm8uhUR... Applications due December 5th!
- #Disability after 50: Poll looks at self-identity and help with health care|https://medschool.umich.edu/health-lab/disability-after-50-poll-looks-self-identity-and-help-health-care. Thanks to @um-ihpi.bsky.social for partnering to examine questions of disability identification and access.
- Thank you @madhupai.bsky.social for posting. We have always underfunded public health in the United States. Current actions appear to be a deliberate attempt to eliminate monitoring and reduce trust in scientific data in order to avoid accountability and implementation of evidence based approaches.
- “We speak as former surgeons general, but we speak for the health of every American. The health of this nation is at stake, and it is time for Congress to act” www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
- At the Lansing Shuffle for Breaking Barriers 2025. The crowd is relatively small but the #disability community is definitely present and the art is thought provoking. www.artworkarchive.com/rooms/discow...
- Adaptive learning tools being sold in Walmart. Signs of progress and #disability integration and inclusion.
- Thank you @samanticka.bsky.social for this substack post and your focus
- Reading this post and realizing that I'm still processing my feelings while I need to be thanking and supporting allies and working to create something tangible. Thank you Sam Cane open.substack.com/pub/sammka/p...
- Reposted by Michelle A. Meade, PhDAfter ruling the NIH grant cuts were illegal yesterday, Judge Young, a Reagan appointee on the bench since 1985, ended the hearing with a blistering 15-minute speech. I've cleaned up my notes — here are his remarks in full. 🧵
- Reading this post and realizing that I'm still processing my feelings while I need to be thanking and supporting allies and working to create something tangible. Thank you Sam Cane open.substack.com/pub/sammka/p...
- Reposted by Michelle A. Meade, PhDWe did suspect, but this is beyond the pale. Apparently when large, US- centered datasets were inaccessible, their content was altered. 🧪 www.psypost.org/secret-chang...
- Thank you @pfanderson.bsky.social for posting. The article reflects both the importance of the work going on to understand and enhance how we teach elementary school students as well as the tragedy of our current political environment which is taking away funding from such peer reviewed science.
- “When teachers are equipped to foster a more equitable & just learning environment in science, it not only enhances children’s understanding of scientific concepts but also empowers them to see themselves as scientists, to use science to address real-world issues” news.umich.edu/young-minds-...
- Thank you @um-ihpi.bsky.social for providing this important breakdown
- A lot of things are changing in #healthpolicy that could affect individuals' health care costs and access to coverage and care. But it doesn't all take effect at once. Two of our members break down some of the most important recent and upcoming changes here: ihpi.umich.edu/news-events/... #Medicaid
- Reposted by Michelle A. Meade, PhDA lot of things are changing in #healthpolicy that could affect individuals' health care costs and access to coverage and care. But it doesn't all take effect at once. Two of our members break down some of the most important recent and upcoming changes here: ihpi.umich.edu/news-events/... #Medicaid
- Another exciting and important program by @docswithdisability.bsky.social
- 📝 Applications due July 31! Apply now: bit.ly/WWDIM_Applic... Join us in building a supportive, accessible, and empowering community for women with disabilities in medicine. 💙 #WWDIM #DocsWithDisabilities #WomenInMedicine
- Thank you @disabilityscoop.bsky.social for highlighting transition issues...
- For individuals with #disabilities, the road to becoming an independent adult can be challenging. A new film finds one man on the cusp of this transition seeking advice from notable disability activists.
- Thank you @amydiehl.bsky.socia for this post. This is why training, mentorship & sponsorship are so important for women in academia. The rules are different from the expectations and pressures - especially us. Many of us need to learn what they are and both boundary setting and negotiation skills.
- In a study of professors, women got 378 new work requests over 4 weeks vs 118 for men. Women spent more time on service, advising & teaching; men on research. Orgs should track who is taking extra duties & ensure they are rewarded and distributed fairly. www.forbes.com/sites/kimels...
- With Liberty and Justice for all...
- A new goal to work on during my sabbatical...
- Taking time this 4th of July to catch my breath and spend time with family. Thank you @docinsano.bsky.social for sharing this link and reminding us of the importance of celebrating #disability pride month.
- happy disability pride month, July is the month for it I guess :) thearc.org/blog/why-and...
- Thank you @diyabled.bsky.social for your inspiring words and important reminder. Happy #disabilitypride month.
- Exciting developments in #spinal cord injury research. Thank you @shihcheng.bsky.social for posting
- Thank you @debbiedingell.house.gov for all your work standing up for the people of Michigan and of the United States
- Reposted by Michelle A. Meade, PhDWhat if something quick and free could cut your heart attack risk by 34%? Getting a flu vaccine each year is linked to a 34% lower risk of major cardiovascular events. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
- Reposted by Michelle A. Meade, PhDWe are outraged by the recent actions taken by Senators who voted to gut Medicaid—a lifeline for millions of children, older adults, disabled people, and families across this country. Our full statement: caringacross.org/news/senate-...
- Reposted by Michelle A. Meade, PhDThe recipe for economic growth isn’t tax cuts for the rich. It’s investment in our people — in health care, infrastructure and education — to build a strong middle class. You don't grow the economy through trickle-down nonsense — yet that's what this GOP budget is all about.
- So Medicaid is the primary healthcare support for seniors in nursing homes, pregnant women and home and community based services for people with disabilities. What do congressional delegates who voted for this budget bill think will happen when 1 trillion dollars is cut from this critical life line?
- Thank you @asacarny.bsky.social for this very helpful resource
- Trying to identify opioids and other drugs in pharmacy data (claims, PDMP, etc.)? Use my code to quickly build a list of national drug codes (NDCs) using the free public database RxNorm. I wrote this code to replace the CDC's now-discontinued opioid NDC dataset. github.com/asacarny/dru...
- Reposted by Michelle A. Meade, PhDJuly is #DisabilityPride month
- And yet another resource I have to find the time to explore...
- Q2: The GARI database (www.gari.info) helps people find accessible features on their mobile devices in 20+ languages. Have you ever used it to check your phone’s features? #AXSChat
- Reposted by Michelle A. Meade, PhDA2: The GARI database is an incredible resource for identifying accessibility features tailored to individual needs. If you haven’t used it yet, it’s worth exploring to see how your device supports accessibility. Have you tried it? Share your experience! #AXSChat @gariupdates.bsky.social
- Q2: The GARI database (www.gari.info) helps people find accessible features on their mobile devices in 20+ languages. Have you ever used it to check your phone’s features? #AXSChat
- Reposted by Michelle A. Meade, PhD
- Plus many people with disabilities have had to become proactive problem solvers which is a great skill for business owners
- Have you heard of micro-enterprises? They're small businesses that start with a minimal amount of money. This can be a way for people with disabilities to enter the workforce on their own terms! Read more here: www.everyonecanwork.org.au/employment-s... #disability #entrepreneurship #microenterprise
- Wonder what this looks like disabled adults 65+ . We may need to plan another manuscript @um-ihpi.bsky.social
- NEW: Most older adults want to "age in place" but fewer than half have taken steps to help ensure they can do so, according to our new poll results. Learn more about these findings in American adults age 65+, and a sample of Michigan older adults too: ihpi.umich.edu/news-events/...
- Reposted by Michelle A. Meade, PhDLocal groups seeking to organize one of these should reach out to the hospital communications office - both to let them know it’s a supportive protest & to get some info on what percentage of their patients are covered by Medicaid. Also ask if you can use any green space near public sidewalks.
- Thank you @tahleenlattimer.bsky.social for being there and helping out! So glad you are joining our team!
- Huge thank you to all who joined us to make U-M CDHW's "Starting the Conversation" event on June 7th, 2025 a success! Shout out to our keynote Christopher Samp, moderator Brandie Bentley, sponsor @um-ihpi.bsky.social & all participating orgs. Together, we're building a more inclusive community! ♿💛💙
- Huge thank you to all who joined us to make U-M CDHW's "Starting the Conversation" event on June 7th, 2025 a success! Shout out to our keynote Christopher Samp, moderator Brandie Bentley, sponsor @um-ihpi.bsky.social & all participating orgs. Together, we're building a more inclusive community! ♿💛💙
- Reposted by Michelle A. Meade, PhDThe National Survey on Health and Disability is open! If you are in the US & a person w a disability or chronic condition, please share your experiences. This is one of the largest national disability & health surveys that exists! ~15 minutes! Take it at: kuhealthsurvey.org #DisabilityResearch
- Disability breeds innovation. In order to survive and thrive, people with disabilities often need to get creative and problem-solve in a world that too often does not recognize and is not built for them. It's unfair and often exhausting but there we are. #disability
- Not even in high school yet, one teenager is already working with manufacturers to make his nationally recognized invention — which is designed to help people with #disabilities — available.
- Thank you @disrightsuk.bsky.social for sharing this important piece by Celestine Fraser. Recognition of intersectionality is important - in life & in research. Hopefully recognizing both similarities & differences can help us be kinder to one another & transfer the knowledge & skills we learn.
- Pride in Disabled and Queer Identity🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️♿️ Delighted to share this @desibility.bsky.social piece from DR UK Trustee, Celestine, on the intersections of queerness and disability 'Why does the conversation rarely go beyond the accessibility of Pride events?' www.disabilitydebrief.org/debrief/goin...
- Reposted by Michelle A. Meade, PhDThese recommended pediatric and adult vaccine schedules reflect ACIP guidance, and were archived on Feb 18, 2025. 🚨 If you- or your kids are behind for any reason, get caught up now. Parents: cancer-preventing HPV vax is approved for all kids 9 yrs and up. Please don’t miss out on this protection.
- Seems like it can't hurt to try. Thank you @um-ihpi.bsky.social and @mlipsitch.bsky.social for the encouragement
Important public service reporting from @statnews.com on how people are getting their NIH grants reinstated www.statnews.com/2025/05/19/r...
- Can't beat a good icon array. Thank you @um-ihpi.bsky.social
- This morning, the @umich.edu faculty in our Impact Accelerator workshop are hearing from @bzikmund.bsky.social about communicating numbers and research findings to General audiences. Check out his free tool for creating icon arrays to communicate risk: iconarray.com #scicomm
- Thank you @um-ihpi.bsky.social for the opportunity to participate in this wonderful program. To my colleagues at University of Michigan - I highly recommend! If you want to enhance the impact of your work, it's a great investment of your time.
- And that’s a wrap! Thank you to the @umich.edu faculty who took part in our Impact Accelerator program over the past 3 days - and to the faculty and staff who spoke to and worked with them! We look forward to doing it again next year - applications open in the fall! ihpi.umich.edu/impact-accel...
- Thank you @um-ihpi.bsky.social @karagavin.bsky.social and everyone who conceptualized, created and implemented the Impact Accelerator program. Such a wonderful workshop. I'll be processing the information provided for the next few months and working to apply it the rest of my career!
- Thanks @karagavin.bsky.social Such an important and powerful idea. Now to find the time to add it to my schedule...#SciComm @um-ihpi.bsky.social
- Support science across the country by writing opinion pieces in local papers! @sciencehomecoming.bsky.social is providing scientists with sources to publish in newspapers in every county in the United States. Share your knowledge: buff.ly/DDufjZG #GeoSky #SaveScience #SciComm #AcademicSky
- Thank you @karagavin.bsky.social and all @um-ihpi.bsky.social for your work and dedication creating the evidence base that is the foundation of science.
- Proud to have helped get this @umich.edu Experts Advisory out to media today - thanks @adamlauring.bsky.social and colleagues for being willing to contribute a quote on deadline about the ACIP vaccine panel debacle: www.newswise.com/articles/sud... #publichealth #idsky
- Uniform Federal Accessibility standards covered under Section 504 of the Rehab Act and the ADA amount to providing basic accessibility for disabled people. They are the floor - not best practices. Eliminating these requirements would take away any accountability for ensuring access #disability
- The Trump administration is quietly working to fast-track changes to a key disability rights law by circumventing typical procedures, advocates are warning. #disabilities
- #Section504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a critical piece of civil rights legislation that makes access to healthcare, participation and employment possibilities for people with disabilities. Make your voice heard by Monday, June 16th. #disability @docswithdisability.bsky.social
- The Department of Energy is trying to get rid of important rules of #Section504! DOE is trying to change the rules that new buildings must be accessible to people with disabilities. The deadline to send in comments is Monday, June 16, 2025. Learn how to take action: dredf.org/action-alert...
- Thank you @um-ihpi.bsky.social for this great public resource
- New #data alert! 📊 Two more waves of National Poll on Healthy #Aging data are now available for free public use. Explore findings on older adults’ views about healthcare costs, caregiving, scams, weight management, top health concerns, aspirin use, and more: ihpi.umich.edu/news-events/...
- Reposted by Michelle A. Meade, PhDNew #data alert! 📊 Two more waves of National Poll on Healthy #Aging data are now available for free public use. Explore findings on older adults’ views about healthcare costs, caregiving, scams, weight management, top health concerns, aspirin use, and more: ihpi.umich.edu/news-events/...
- Science Saves Lives. Peer Reviewed, Evidence-Based Science. Science Funding Supports Communities. Universities serve as Anchor ⚓ Institutions. #SaveScience thank you for your support @debbiedingell.house.gov @peters.senate.gov @slotkin.senate.gov
- (5/5) 🚨 It’s time to flood the zone. NIH scientists just took a huge risk speaking out. Now it’s our turn. 📜 Read the Bethesda Declaration ✍️ Sign the Public Letter of Support 👯♀️Follow NIHers doing the work: @nihvigils.bsky.social Read and sign here 👉 www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
- At the Henry Ford Museum for American Innovation & reflecting on how federal legislators need to really understand what is inside the budget bill & how their votes will impact the American people, our democracy, our land & our reputation. Once sold, we won't be able to get them back. #SaveOurParks
- We have a wonderful day planned for our community celebration today including music & a buffet lunch. While U-M CDHW would love to see everyone, make sure you check the air quality index before going outside and make the decision that is right for you and your family #disability @um-ihpi.bsky.social
- STARTING THE CONVERSATION: Exploring Health & Resilience in Southeast Michigan’s Disability Community | University of Michigan Medical School medresearch.umich.edu/events/start...
- Thank you to the hosts of The Wrap for inviting me to talk about why we are "Starting the Conversation" this Saturday with the disability community in Southeastern Michigan. Looking forward to what promises to be an impactful event #disabilities @um-ihpi.bsky.social shows.acast.com/5b9149d62a63...
- Research is about hope and innovation. It's about developing solutions to create a better future. In the case of research funded by NIH, it's about improving health, participation and quality of life for all. #SaveScience @peters.senate.gov @slotkin.senate.gov @um-ihpi.bsky.social
- New powerful article up in the New York Times on cancelled and delayed grants www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
- There's still time to register to be part of this community building event for people with disabilities in Southeastern Michigan. I'm especially looking forward to listening to & learning from those aging with disability. #disability #disabilities #aging&disability #healthresources
- STARTING THE CONVERSATION: Exploring Health & Resilience in Southeast Michigan’s Disability Community | University of Michigan Medical School medresearch.umich.edu/events/start...
