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Karla

@karlafitch.bsky.social
65 followers 60 following 112 posts

Social Worker, Disability Advocate, Writer, Artist, and Geek. Do the next right thing. Posts, comments and likes are my own and do not represent any past or present employer or volunteer role.

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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
TEEN Vogue? Yes, but they nailed it with this article. Great food for thought to share with your teen or 20-something.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Ohio’s proposed budget will short students while funding a new football stadium for a team that hasn’t had a winning season in ages. If this doesn’t make sense to you, call your state senator today.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Not only does this stand to disenfranchise women, this bill will impact #disabled voters. Many disabled folks face barriers to getting the addt’l documents needed including financial, transportation and more. #disability #DisabilityVote
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Reposted by Karla
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) @autisticadvocacy.org · 09/04/2025
ASAN is deeply concerned about the Executive Order (EO) “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections." This explainer from AAPD talks about the EO, what's going on with voting right now, and how this impacts disabled voters.
aapd.com
Election Executive Order Explainer: What’s Going On With Voting Right Now, and How Does It Impact Disabled Voters? - AAPD
To access this resource as a PDF, click here. On March 25, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.”  This EO proposes…
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
In times of need, I believe that we all need to give of the talents we have. Mine is condensing lots of information so others can use it. This set of graphics is written in plain language (5-6th grade reading level). ALT text is included - everyone deserves a voice. #SaveOhioLibraries #Lbrary
Text reads: Save Ohio Libraries.

What is happening?
The Ohio House of Representatives’ budget proposal eliminates the Public Library Fund (PLF). If PLF is cut, libraries will lose about $100 million over the next 2 years.

What does that mean for Libraries?
Libraries could lose 25% or more in funding. This will mean:

- Cuts to programming - like job skills training classes

- Ending community supports like library social workers, free tutoring services, lending non-traditional items, and more.

- Limiting new materials and replacing outdated materials less often.

- In some cases, limiting library hours or closing branches entirelyText reads: Save Ohio Libraries

What can I do?
You can tell your Representative that you oppose cuts to library funding. To do this:

Find your Representative. Visit ohiohouse.gov/members/district-map and type your address.

Get their contact info. When your Representative appears, click the linked district. Click Contact in the white menu bar at the top of the screen.

Share your message. You can call or write! For tips, see the next image.

Keep it up. There is no limit to the number of times you can contact your Representative. You can also share your message with House Speaker, Matt Huffman, at rep78@ohiohouse.gov.ext reads: Save Ohio Libraries

What should I say?
Your message should include:

- Your name and the city where you live

- A statement, like “don’t cut library funding!”

- Personalize it! Share a story about how you use the library.

For more tips, see: aclu.org/writing-your-elected-representatives

Shortcuts
Some libraries have already created web pages to help you get started.

Note: there are two QR codes. The first goes to a form for libraries in Cuyahoga County. https://form.jotform.com/250925435784162

The second goes to a form for libraries in Lorain County. https://www.lorainpubliclibrary.org/your-library-needs-your-help
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
I couldn’t decide on one color so I went for all of them (except yellow which would be invisible on white canvas). Too much? #RBG #StitchSky #Crossstitch #ProtestEmbroidery #SpeakYourMind
Cross stitch piece in a small hoop on a red wall. Stitched text reads “speak your mind even if your voice shakes.” Each row of text is a different color of the rainbow. Below is a blackwork collar meant to look like one worn by Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
Feel like there’s nothing you can do? Speak up!
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Absolutely heartbroken. The quality of my child’s education is being handed over to a man who has suggested that people with mental health conditions and #disabilities should be sent to work farms. IDEA is about more than funding “special needs” - it is a Free and Appropriate Education for all.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
I don’t even know where to begin.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
“what’s the harm of doing more research on whether vaccines cause autism? For people with severe challenges, whose families urgently want treatments to improve their child’s situation, money spent on a dead-end road takes resources away from more productive paths.” www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Sorry, R.F.K.: There Is No Autism Mystery
Greater awareness, not vaccines, has driven an increase in diagnoses.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
Super important question, #StitchSky: I’m trying another version of the #RBG #crossstitch and I can’t decide - all stitches in black or put some color into the lettering? If I did color the lettering (or some of it), what color?
In-process cross stitch piece showing work on an interpretation of RBG’s Dissent collar.Photo of my laptop showing a carted cross stitch layout in preview mode.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
Joined the League of Women Voters today 💪🏻
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
A helpful breakdown of the terminology being thrown around regarding Medicaid cuts. The more you know 🌈✨
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
I got a lot of love on this design and I think it’s time to set it free. Stitched according to this pattern, it will display in a 5” hoop. #RBG #ProtestEmbroidery #StitchSky #CrossStitch
Cross-stitch embroidery piece displayed in a wooden hoop. It reads “speak your mind even if your voice shakes” and is decorated with a swag of pink, blue and yellow roses.Chart to make the cross-stitch also linked in this post.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Absolutely sickening.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
The stupid. It burns. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning a large study on the long-discredited connection between autism and vaccines, a move that advocates say will squander precious government resources.” www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/03/10/c...
disabilityscoop.com
CDC To Revisit Debunked Link Between Vaccines And Autism
The CDC is planning a large study on the long-discredited connection between autism and vaccines, a move that advocates say will squander precious government resources.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
A #stitched ode on the late, great #RBG. Women need to speak our minds now more than ever. #CrossStitch #StitchSky #ProtestEmbroidery #SocialJusticeArt #XStitch
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
I work with a lot of parents who are worried about the dissolution of DoE and think this interview paints an accurate picture - the biggest fear right now is that we just don’t know what will happen next. #disability #IDEA #DOE #SpecialEducation www.npr.org/2025/03/07/n...
npr.org
Why a Department of Education closure is concern for students with disabilities
NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Kristy Hedler, mother of a son with Down syndrome, about what eliminating the Department of Education would mean for kids who receive special education services.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
The discussion on caregivers for the elderly often omits that #disabled folks share this same pool. Families are already in crisis (I work with many of them). This will only make it worse. #disability www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
nytimes.com
Video: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Elderly Care
The U.S. relies heavily on immigrant workers to care for its aging population, with nearly 30 percent of direct care workers coming from other countries. As the demand for caregivers grows, President ...
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Reposted by Karla
Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 08/03/2025
Oh FFS. Vaccines have NOTHING to do with autism. INSAR, the International Meeting for Autism Research, had zero papers/presentations on this fabricated link BY 2015. What a waste of effort and funding, what an insult to autistic people themselves, who are simply humans—neither damaged, nor diseased.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
I’ll say it again. We need services. We need support for #autistic people to live better lives. Not wasted money on theories that have long since been debunked. Absolute madness. www.reuters.com/business/hea...
reuters.com
Exclusive: U.S. CDC plans study into vaccines and autism, sources say
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning a large study into potential connections between vaccines and autism, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, despite extensive scientific research that has disproven or failed to find evidence of such links.
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Reposted by Karla
jessdogmom.bsky.social @jessdogmom.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Mr John Lewis would have been arrested so many time by now.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Could McMahon learn what IDEA is and does? Sure. Will she? I doubt that very much. #Disability #SpecialEducation
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Excellent overview of the issues people with #disabilities now face as a result of policy changes from this administration www.axios.com/2025/02/23/t... #disability #advocacy #DEI #Medicaid #Section504
axios.com
Americans with disabilities warn protections are vanishing in Trump's DEI rollback
"Disability is a natural part of the human experience," said Katy Neas, chief executive officer of The Arc.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
Time to start a new one #RBG #CrossStitch
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Medicaid keeps #disabled kids at home with their families. The alternative is to pay astronomical amounts for institutional care. Which would you rather have?
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Reposted by Karla
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) @autisticadvocacy.org · 24/02/2025
The past few weeks have been hard on communities. It can be overwhelming to see so much go wrong all at once — but we can still take action! We have a plain language update and give 3 actions you can take today to protect our rights!
autisticadvocacy.org
Plain Language Action Roundup 📣: How you can help this week - Autistic Self Advocacy Network
The past few weeks have been hard for our communities. This is a Plain Language explanation of some of the tough things. We also talk about ways you can act now to protect our rights. President Trump…
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Thank you @altcdc.bsky.social - know the history so we can fight for the future. #disability
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
They said they would withdraw, but they have not. Please continue to advocate against this attack on #disability rights #Protect504
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
When I’m not working or advocating, I’m into fiber arts. Lately, I’ve felt the need to stitch some of my feelings, and well… this is where I’m at right now. #art #embroidery #resist
A framed cross stitch design that reads “fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me.” The text is surrounded by delicate pink stitches flowers and leaves.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
From #Ohio? Join me in telling Attorney General Dave Yost to stand up to the 17 states calling for the end of #Section504 www.change.org/p/ohio-stand... #disability #accessibility
change.org
Sign the Petition
Ohio Stands For Disability Rights: Protect Section 504 from Attack!
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
This was a great, common-sense explanation of the impacts that the current administration’s policies are having on DEIA and #disabled Americans. #disability #DEI #ADA
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Looks around. Yep. Pretty sure my family and friends are NOT a dire threat. But go on. Let’s make America healthy again.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
I’m a parent. My child recieves #SpecialEducation services. She’s learning job skills and wants to work after she graduates. The Department of Education makes this possible.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
#MentalHealth is already stigmatized. There can be no doubt that this order will result in fewer Americans getting the help they need. #disability #ADHD #medication
Screenshot from an executive order on whitehouse.gov which suggests that the increase in ADHD diagnosis has created a healthcare burden due to pharmacological treatment.Screenshot from a whitehouse.gov executive order that states medication is overused and there is a health threat specifically associated with use of SSRIs, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants and weight-loss drugs.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
If you’re not doing, you’re agreeing. Simple as that.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Have you made a call today? www.senate.gov/senators/sen...
Tweet from @anxious_opposotion that reads: you’re an adult. You can drink dial your senators whenever you want. Literally nothing stopping you.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Want to stand up for Medicaid? It’s easy. Call 866-426-2631 and you’ll be connected with your representative. Leave a message and do your thing. #disability
Screen shot of telephone scripts to use when calling your rep. When you call the phone number from the post, audio instructions will also help you know what to say.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
From NASW Ohio: Participate in the National Medicaid Day of Action Call-In on February 6, 2025 (tomorrow!) at 4pm! This call is led by partner organizations who will gather on Zoom for 30 minutes to make calls to Congress together. You can register to join here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Flier for the Medicaid day of action, which takes place via Zoom at 4 pm on February 6.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Attacks on the Dept. of Ed. will harm the 7.5 million American students receiving special education services no matter how you frame it. Yes, IDEA is protected by congress, but the speculation alone will create disruption for years to come.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
It took me 25 years to ask for accommodations at work - years that I fought to keep up on a playing field that was tilted against me. As I continue to process the president’s remarks about #disability and the horrific crash, I can’t help but feel discouraged for the folks who now fear to ask.
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Reposted by Karla
Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 01/02/2025
Leading Disability Organizations: President Tr**p’s Blame of Deadly Crash on Disabled Federal Workers Is Baseless, Irresponsible. From @dredf.bsky.social: dredf.org/leading-disa...
dredf.org
Leading Disability Organizations: President Trump’s Blame of Deadly Crash on Disabled Federal Workers Is Baseless, Irresponsible - DREDF
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Could not have said it better than the statement from CoorDown. #disability #inclusion
Screenshot with a portion of the 1/31 Facebook post from Coordown. Text reads:


The choice to use disability as a scapegoat, to add entire categories of people as the cause of a very serious and painful event, is not causal. It's part of a conscious strategy and explicitly directed at undoing achievements and rights resulting from years of battles for people with disabilities. It means denying that diversity is a resource and not a problem.

Martina Fuga, President CoorDown explains that “These statements are not only shocking, dehumanizing and discriminatory: they represent a dangerous step backward, a signal that risks consolidating prejudices that are still rooted in those who believe that disability is a limit and that inclusion is an ideology that threatens meritocracy and quality of work. Behind these words there is a distorted view that ignores data and research: people with disabilities who work in institutions, as in any other field, are selected and employed on the basis of competences, qualifications and in respect of strict standards.

People with disabilities, all disabilities, together with their families and communities, will not passively accept that the world is designed bit by bit. We'll hold on. It's time to unite our voices, not to back down in spite of pain and rage. CoorDown together with many realities, associations, networks will be at the forefront of building and affirming a more just, more equitable and more inclusive world.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
DEI does not supersede the basic question of whether a person is capable of doing a job with reasonable accommodation. Implying otherwise, esp. in light of this tragedy, is as reckless as it is disgusting. People with #disabilities already face too many obstacles to employment. Let’s not add more.
Screenshot from a NY Times article quoting the president’s remarks on the plane crash yesterday. The president cites the FAA website statement that it was seeking to hire people with disabilities and names several disabling conditions. He then goes on to say that they “all qualified for the position of a controller of airplanes pouring into our country.”
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Research has shown that #autistic folks are 8x more likely to identify as #LGBTQ. Attacks on trans rights are attacks on the #disability community too.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Another reminder - DEI includes #disability
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
If you think it’s not happening near you, look again.
Post from X stating “ICE raided Cilantro Tauqueria in Coventry around 5 p.m. today and apparently raided other locations and are targeting other Mexican restaurants in Ohio.” The post includes two photos showing an SUV outside of the restaurant and uniformed ICE agents getting into the SUV.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
Yesterday I posted about the missing #accessibility statement on whitehouse.gov. The missing headings mean it's hard for folks who can't use a mouse. In a test, I couldn't get to the Executive Actions at all without one. Wonder why they wouldn't want folks with #disabilities to see? #disability
Screenshot from WAVE accessibility check showing alerts on one side and a portion of the Whitehouse website on the other. There are 10 alerts (mostly missing headings) and 10 images without ALT text.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
This is from whitehouse.gov/accessibility on Jan 18, 2025. The same URL gives a 404 error today. The CDC tells us that 28% of adults have #disabilities but with the press of a delete button the commitment to access is erased. Who’s next? #disability #accessability
Screenshot of the accessibility statement from the whitehouse website, pulled from the Wayback Machine archive dated 1/18/2025. The brief section of text talks about the importance of ensuring access to all American citizens and that the site follows WCAG v2.1 level AA criteria to ensure accessibility.
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Karla @karlafitch.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
DEI includes #disabilities. Read that again.
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