Wiley’s Walk
Join the journey. Walk the path.
Writing by Kerry Ann Wiley about disability, adaptation, participation, and the difference between access and inclusion.
New on Wiley’s Walk
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The Cost of Standing Still
“The only limits for tomorrow are the doubts we have today.”— Pittacus Lore Everyone understands what it feels like to get stuck. Sometimes it happens halfway through a project that, at the start, sparked genuine excitement and potential. The initial energy fades,…
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A List of Small Things
On a hot Wednesday in July, Melissa sat in her parked car outside the pharmacy, staring at the dashboard clock. She was not waiting for anyone. She just could not convince herself to go inside yet. For weeks, life had been a…
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After the Rain: How Texas Communities Are Walking Toward Recovery
When floodwaters swept through the Texas Hill Country, they arrived with little warning and immense force. Entire neighborhoods were submerged, roads erased, lives upended. Camp Mystic, once a place of summer songs and sunlight, became the site of unimaginable grief. In Kerr…
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The Participation Paradigm: How Accessibility is Being Redefined
Individuals with disabilities in the United States have relied on federal protections to support meaningful participation in community settings and publicly supported services. These protections help to remove barriers and promote access to education, employment, health care, transportation, and civic engagement. As…
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Disability Pride Month: Inclusion, Participation, and a Range of Perspectives
Each July, Disability Pride Month offers an opportunity to recognize the contributions of people with disabilities and to reflect on the importance of inclusion. It marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990,…
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When Standards Change: What the Department of Energy’s Proposed Accessibility Rule Could Mean
In May 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposed a change to how it applies accessibility requirements under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The proposal, submitted quietly to the Federal Register with little public attention, would remove a long-standing rule…
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Section 503: Understanding the Impact of the DOL’s Proposed Rule Changes
In June 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor proposed updates to the regulations governing how federal contractors fulfill their responsibilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These proposed changes are intended to bring current regulations in line with recent…
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Reflecting on Freedom: A Path Toward Inclusion and Belonging
Inclusion is about creating environments where every individual, regardless of their background, identity, or ability, is valued. It ensures that everyone has the opportunity to fully participate and contribute. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing that all individuals deserve to be seen,…
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Disability Rights: Past Victories, Future Battles
Disability rights and history are not merely a record of laws and policy changes; they represent the ongoing struggle of individuals fighting for fairness, access, participation, and inclusion. Access means ensuring people with disabilities can fully use services, spaces, and opportunities without…
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When Policy Gets Personal: How a Bill Becomes Law—and What It Means for People with Disabilities
Congress has passed a broad, Republican-backed budget bill that includes substantial tax cuts and major reductions to federal programs such as Medicaid and SNAP. While much of the public discourse has focused on fiscal implications, the human impact of this legislation—particularly on…