Disability Rights North Carolina

10/14/2026

Early voting starts Thursday October 15. Make your plan to vote today.

Text reads:

Voting Issues? Need a Ride to Vote? Call the Disability Rights NC voting hotline for help: 888-WEVOTE2 (888) 938-6832

*NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY PARTY OR CANDIDATE

10/14/2026

Big changes are coming to NC Medicaid!

Most changes will not affect people with disabilities, but you must pay close attention and act now! Read our recently updated fact sheet for more information. https://disabilityrightsnc.org/news/nc-medicaid-updates-for-people-with-disabilities/

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein shared a letter urging the state’s congressional delegation to reverse H.R. 1’s Medicaid cuts and repeal its work requirements, warning that more than 250,000 residents could lose coverage starting in 2027, on top of recent ACA enrollment drops. He argues the changes will drive up uninsured rates, strain rural hospitals, and county caseworkers, and could cost the state tens of billions in Medicaid funding over the next decade, with far-reaching harm. Read his letter here: https://governor.nc.gov/october-13-2026-letter-governor-stein-north-carolina-congressional-delegation

Lastly, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall TODAY, Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss how new federal and state laws will impact NC Medicaid, including who will need to meet a new work and community engagement requirement and how to prepare for upcoming changes to the program. https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2026/10/12/ncdhhs-livestream-fireside-chat-and-tele-town-hall-new-rules-nc-medicaid-know-whats-next

10/12/2026

10/12/2026

Sometimes the simplest classroom supports make the BIGGEST difference. 💙

A little masking tape on the floor can give students a clear visual for:
✨ Where their desk space starts and ends
✨ Where their chair belongs
✨ How much personal space they have
✨ Where to stand or wait
✨ What area they are expected to stay in

Visual cues can make classroom expectations easier to understand without adding more verbal directions.

Simple. Cheap. Easy to change as your students’ needs change.

Would this work in your classroom? 👇

10/10/2026

Paid research opportunity! MEDICAID WORK REQUIREMENT JOURNEY PROJECT.

ARE YOU COVERED BY NC MEDICAID? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Starting January 1, 2027 federal law requires many Medicaid enrollees to complete 80 hours/mo of community engagement (commonly called “work requirements”). Researchers at United States of Care are launching a 2-year study, compensating Medicaid participants to share their experiences with these new
requirements.

We are looking for individuals who:
Live in North Carolina
Are enrolled in NC Medicaid
Aged 19–64
Sign up for this study by 11/06/2026

What you will do:
5 total interviews (30–45 min each) conducted virtually & taking place from August 2026 through December 2028. Your data will be anonymous and used to inform the public and policy makers on how work requirements affect Medicaid enrollees.

Who is conducting this study?
United States of Care is a listening-first, nonpartisan health care advocacy organization that brings people’s experiences to policymakers overseeing program that shape our health care system. Culture IQ, a multicultural research firm, is supporting this study to conduct interviews and help reveal insights that will reach federal policymakers about Medicaid enrollee experiences.

Learn more and sign up for this study by 11/06/2026
cultureiq.group/participate-in-a-study/

Questions? Contact Sandra Mendez. Email: [email protected] Phone Number: (818) 666-7316

10/09/2026

Too many people with disabilities don't have jobs or are stuck in unstable jobs. Many jobs do not treat people with disabilities fairly.

When a disabled person applies for a job, they may face:
Complicated applications.
Risk of losing benefits like Medicaid.
Ableist tests that don’t measure job skills.
Once a disabled person gets a job, they often deal with:
Lack of support.
Ableism from coworkers, clients, or customers.
Being overlooked for promotions or special training.

We must make workplaces more accessible for people with disabilities.

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

Upcoming Event! HOPE NC 's 2026 Inclusive Housing Summit!

It’s that time of year again! HOPE NC’s Fifth Annual Inclusive Housing Summit, From Policy to Place: Building Affordable, Accessible & Inclusive Communities, will take place on Monday, November 9, 2026 at the Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill. Registration, the Exhibit Hall and breakfast begin at 8:00 am, with the summit program running from 9:00 am-4:00 pm.

Find out more and register today!
https://disabilityrightsnc.org/event/partner-event-hope-ncs-2026-inclusive-housing-summit/

10/07/2026

Many neighborhoods are built around driving. What would it look like if we built them differently?

Across the country, people without cars already know the system has gaps:

🛣️ missing sidewalks,
🚌 delayed buses, and
🚦 crossing signals that don’t give people enough time.

These gaps keep people with disabilities from getting where they need to go. Disabled people often get left behind.

For one week, October 1-8, we invite you to navigate your community without driving. Learn about the challenges that the nondrivers in your community experience every day.

We can make our communities work better for all of us, especially those who cannot drive.

Learn more at Week Without Driving and America Walks.

10/07/2026

Upcoming Event!

Webinar Alert!

Join us online for our next Self-Advocacy Discussion Series: Getting Active in Advocacy: ALP-NC Alumni Network

https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/GwJ-kZReQ7G4Joz9GYr_6g #/registration
This session is dedicated to the Ability Leadership Program of North Carolina (ALP-NC) and the Alumni Network. Join graduate leaders with lived experience as they are spotlighted to share their stories about the training they have participated in, the ALP Alumni Network and the disability advocacy experiences they engage in after training.

Speakers will be:
- Alex Martel-Matt, ALP Leader
- Cindy Shields, ALP Leader
- Jaime Richman, ALP Leader
- Irlanda Ruiz, Advisory Board and ALP Leader

Please join us to hear from some of the state’s finest advocacy leaders.
Date: Wednesday, October 21st
Time: 1 PM ET
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Register at least one week before the session you plan to attend: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/GwJ-kZReQ7G4Joz9GYr_6g #/registration