On Disabled Women’s Equal Pay Day, Congresswomen Simon, Randall, and Pressley Call for Disabled Women to be Paid Fairly, Introduce Resolution Recognizing the Need to Close the[...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, on Disabled Women's Equal Pay Day, Congresswomen Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Emily Randall (WA-06) announced they will introduce the Disabled Women's Equal Pay Day Resolution. This resolution recognizes the persistent pay disparity between disabled women and both disabled and nondisabled men, and it reaffirms the need to reduce systemic, economic barriers and advance economic equity for disabled women.

According to recent analysis from the National Partnership for Women & Families, disabled women continue to face high-wage gap disparities compared to their nondisabled male counterparts, earning 56 cents for every dollar paid to nondisabled men. The pay gap is even greater for disabled women of color, who are paid 46-55 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic nondisabled men. Additionally, working disabled mothers are paid 44 cents for every dollar paid to nondisabled fathers.

"Disabled women of color experience some of the largest pay gaps in our nation- impacting their ability to care for themselves and their loved ones," said Congresswoman Simon. "This is an unacceptable reality, which is why I joined disability champions in Congress, Reps. Pressley and Randall, to introduce this resolution and demand action to undo systemic barriers to equal pay, break down the discrimination that disabled women face, and move towards a future where every individual is valued for their labor without discrimination based on gender, race, or disability."

"Disability rights are human rights. It is shameful that in 2026, women with disabilities are paid 44 cents for every dollar paid to non-disabled fathers-and that wage gap only widens for working disabled women of color," said Congresswoman Pressley. "Our Disabled Women's Equal Pay Day Resolution makes it clear: We must put an end to this economic injustice and make sure everyone gets equal pay for equal work."

"We all deserve to live full lives, to be treated with dignity and respect. All people with disabilities still face huge system barriers, and for disabled women they're compounded," said Rep. Randall. "Women with disabilities make less than non-disabled women, and less than disabled men. Government has to do better. As Chair of the Better Pay and Benefits Task Force, I'll keep fighting for working people everywhere to get the pay and benefits they've earned so folks of all abilities can live and thrive in their communities."

This resolution is endorsed by the Democratic Women's Caucus, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), National Partnership for Women & Families (NPWF), Disability Culture Lab (DCL), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), National Disabled Legal Professionals Association (NDLPA), Equal Rights Advocates (ERA), New Disabled South.

As the first congenitally blind Member of Congress and a mother of two, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon is committed to advancing disability rights and justice for Americans with disabilities, including women and mothers with disabilities.

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