Disability reporting fellow @nytimes. UNC '24.
Joined May 2016
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👋 Hello! I am a disability reporter for The New York Times.
I'm relatively new to the beat, and I want to know what stories our readers want told.
What is our disability coverage missing? Do you have a story that you want to share? Let me know here:
nytimes.com/2025/08/20/us/di…
A new mosque in this quickly growing N.C. suburb has sparked intense backlash. It's the latest in a trend of rising anti-Muslim hate across the country.
"I've never seen it this bad," one Muslim resident told me.
I wrote about it for @TheAssemblyNC: theassemblync.com/news/cultu…
Scoop: An American passenger from the cruise ship exposed to hantavirus was issued a mandatory quarantine by the C.D.C. She's required to stay at the Nebraska unit through May. This is a rare move by the U.S. gov't – the last time this happened was 2020. nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/ha…
Sonia A. Rao retweeted
We are thrilled to announce that Maydha Devarajan and Aidan Gardiner are joining The New York Times Editing Residency. nytco.com/press/two-new-edit…
Sonia A. Rao retweeted
How Do You Write About a Slur? My @nytimes colleague @bysoniarao and I recently grappled with this. Here’s the backstory:
nytimes.com/2026/02/05/insid… via @NYTimes
Sonia A. Rao retweeted
The ‘R-Word’ returns, used by President Trump, right-wing influencers, and the DOJ official overseeing the civil rights division. But why use a word known to be offensive? My story, with Sonia A. Rao. nytimes.com/2026/01/26/us/r-… via @NYTimes
For months, disability advocates had told me they worried about the R-word’s return to mainstream, spurred on by political figures and media personalities.
I set out to find what the word’s resurgence symbolizes of American culture. Read below:
nytimes.com/2026/01/26/us/r-…
My latest story: A program for deafblind children in Wisconsin helped 3-year-old Annie, born with poor vision and no ears, learn to communicate. The Trump administration cut the program’s funding – and those in seven other states – over diversity goals.
nytimes.com/2025/12/15/us/tr…
I'm interested in continuing to follow how efforts to roll back D.E.I. initiatives and dismantle the Education Department might be impacting programs for disabled people. If you have a story or anecdote to share, I'd love to know. My email is [email protected]
Sonia A. Rao retweeted
He Died at a School for Disabled People. Decades Later, His Brother Sought Answers.
@bysoniarao on a retired garbage collector who started wondering about his long lost brother, and ended up uncovering a web of mystery, joy and pain.
(no-paywall link): nytimes.com/2025/11/12/us/fe…
My latest story, today's @nytimes Great Read:
John Scott was rarely spoken of in his family after he was placed in an institution. After a half-century, his youngest brother set out to learn who he was and what happened to him. From @nytimes reporter @bysoniarao: nytimes.com/2025/11/12/us/fe…
Sonia A. Rao retweeted
absolutely heartbreaking nytimes.com/2025/10/17/us/ic…
Sonia A. Rao retweeted
Some news: Yesterday was my last day @newsobserver. It’s bittersweet to leave, but I’m looking forward to staying on the most interesting beat in my home state.
Next week I’ll join @TheAssemblyNC, where I’ll continue covering higher education across North Carolina!
Hi 👋 I'm a national reporter for The New York Times. Are you a pregnant woman who has thoughts about President Trump's messages this week on taking acetaminophen/Tylenol? I'd like to talk to you for a story I am working on✍. Send me an email at [email protected].
Read my story about Brent Simpson, the first police officer known to have C.T.E. who showed many signs of the disease his last few years. In the months before he died by suicide, he told his wife almost every day: "Something is wrong with my brain."
nytimes.com/2025/09/05/us/ct…
Only a few states require public schools to develop plans for evacuating students with disabilities in an emergency, even as schools across the country face increasing risks from climate-related disasters and school shootings.
Read my latest story:
nytimes.com/2025/08/25/us/st…
Hello! Today is my first day on the job as a national disability reporter for @nytimes, as part of its 2025-26 fellowship class. My inbox is open for tips/pitches ✉️➡️ [email protected].
Sonia A. Rao retweeted
NEW: The visas of six international students at UNC-Chapel Hill have been terminated by the Trump administration, according to the university's media relations office.
Follows previous news of revocations at NC State, Duke and around the country.
Story to come @newsobserver
Sonia A. Rao retweeted
i'm writing a story for Business Insider about international students who've had their visas revoked or funding cut to their program. if that's you, please email me at [email protected] or shoot me a secure tip via Signal at @jdeng.20. 🙏
Sonia A. Rao retweeted
After nearly 30 years on death row, he’s fighting for NC to give him a basic education. newsobserver.com/news/politi… @newsobserver @emmymrtin @NCCADP #MarcusMitchell #NorthCarolina #deathpenalty