Disability Victory Shares Findings from the 2025 Disabled Progressive Priorities Survey
Contact: press@disabilityvictory.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Disability Victory is releasing the results of its 2025 Disabled Progressive Priorities Survey.
In January and February 2025, Disability Victory surveyed 93 disabled progressives to learn about their interest in political leadership, their questions about campaigning with a disability, and their policy priorities for 2025. This survey was conducted in the wake of the 2024 election and as the Trump Administration took office, at a time when disability rights are under attack. From proposed cuts to Medicaid and Social Security to attempts to roll back disability rights laws and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, the first weeks of the second Trump Administration have substantially threatened the safety and inclusion of disabled Americans.
This survey captured disabled progressives’ perspectives on the current political situation and gave us insight into how disabled leaders are mobilizing to fight for their communities. Our key findings were:
Disabled leaders have mixed feelings about getting involved in electoral politics in 2025. Of our 93 responses, 41% expressed that they would like to run for office or work on a campaign, while 32% were not sure, and the remaining were uninterested in electoral politics at this time.
Of those who are open to the idea of electoral politics, the majority are interested in working on campaigns in 2025. 66% of these respondents said that they aren’t interested in running for office, but they would like to work on or volunteer for a campaign. This represents a shift from our 2023 data, where most respondents were interested in being candidates themselves.
Of those who are interested in running for office, they are most interested in running for local or state office. 46% are interested in running for local office, while nearly 31% were interested in running for state government office.
Disabled progressives who want to mobilize through electoral politics have questions about accessing accommodations on the campaign trail, and they’re concerned about ableism. Following a 2024 election season plagued with campaign inaccessibility and a rise in ableism, disabled progressives want to see changes in the campaign environment that makes it more inclusive, sustainable, and accessible.
While electoral politics may not be their highest priority in 2025, disabled progressives are ready to mobilize through other forms of leadership. Over 80% of respondents expressed a desire to be involved in policy and issue-based advocacy, likely reflecting the great policy concerns the disability community has about the 2nd Trump Administration. Nearly 74% are interested in activism and direct action, 49% want to be involved in digital organizing, and nearly 47% want to mobilize through mutual aid organizing.
Disabled progressives know that every policy issue is a disability issue. When ranking their top priorities for 2025, affordable and accessible housing, disability rights laws, health care access, Social Security and Medicaid, and reproductive justice were their top priorities. However, they shared great interest in many other policy areas and listed additional priorities such as preventing gun violence, stopping mask bans, stopping corporate greed, and ensuring fresh food accessibility.
Disabled progressives are ready to mobilize and fight for their communities as organizers and leaders. In 2025, Disability Victory and allied organizations must support disabled leaders in their fight against executive orders and legislation that will threaten the lives and safety of disabled people. At the same time, we must build long-term disabled political power by breaking down barriers to campaigns and elected office, supporting disabled leaders who want to run for office, and creating a more accessible progressive ecosystem.
Read the full report: “2025 Disabled Progressive Priorities Survey.”