Disability Rights North Carolina

03/19/2026

h/t Friends of State Parks

Waypoint Adventure is making it possible for people with all different abilities to enjoy the great outdoors, and they're doing it at North Carolina's fantastic state parks! Our partnership with Waypoint Adventure provides much needed funding for adaptive hiking and kayaking equipment, critical staff training, and more. It's one of the many ways that we are enhancing the state parks experience in our state!

Do you know someone with a disability who wants to enjoy the outdoors? See their lineup of upcoming events here https://waypoint-adventure-nc.jumbula.com

https://youtu.be/4QB4dB5LS18?si=wtKWqkgK5CFxy1PE

03/17/2026

Were you denied entry to our kicked out of housing or treatment program in North Carolina because you're taking Methadone, Bupe, or Subs?

Have you taken Methadone, Bupe, or Subs?

Were you denied entry to our kicked out of housing or treatment program in North Carolina because you were taking these medications?

Were you told to "detox" or "taper off" your medications?

Justice Catalyst Law wants to hear from you! Please call or text at (984) 259-3682

Justice Catalyst Law is a non-profit organization that is trying to ensure that people with addiction get the healthcare and services they need.

03/16/2026

7:08AM: Severe Thunderstorms with gusty to damaging winds of 50/60mph and heavy rainfall are moving into the Asheville, Brevard, and surrounding areas over the next hour or so.

03/15/2026

⛈️ Severe Weather Update: The Severe Weather risk for Monday is increasing across a portion of the state. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a rare level 4/5 (Moderate Risk) for severe weather for most of Central North Carolina into Southern Virginia due to the increasing risk of damaging winds and tornadoes. Most of the rest of Central and Eastern NC is under a level 3/5 risk, and the rest of the state is under a level 2/5 and 1/5 risk.

-👀WHAT: A very strong cold front, accompanied by very high upper-level winds (wind shear), will move through the state on Monday. As these ingredients come together, the risk of strong to severe storms will develop. There remains some uncertainty about how much CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) there will be on Monday. More sunshine on Monday morning into Monday afternoon would increase the risk of discrete thunderstorms, thereby increasing tornado risk. The risk of this appears to be increasing.

THREATS: The main threat is damaging straight-line winds from a line of storms that'll move west to east late Monday morning into the afternoon and evening. However, the tornado threat is there, especially in the level 3/5 and 4/5 risk. We will have to watch for discrete cells across Central and Eastern NC late morning into the afternoon for tornado risk.

😎 The Bottom Line: There is an Enhanced and Moderate (Level 3 of 5 and 4/5) risk for severe storms across Central and Eastern North Carolina this Monday as a potent cold front moves through. The primary threat will be damaging straight-line winds, though large hail and tornadoes are also possible. There is no reason to panic, but today would be a good idea to make sure your severe weather plans are in place. Watch out for scary hype going around. I’ll keep you updated, as I have for nearly a decade, with down-to-earth forecasts.
-Ethan

03/15/2026

One aspect of chronic illness that people don't see is compromise.
You're constantly trying to figure out what kind of life you can lead, that will bring you joy without making you feel too sick. That's really hard to do and it comes with a lot of grief, frustration and sadness.

h/t A Day in the Life of a PWD: Person With a Disability

03/13/2026

On this week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire and Kolby speak with ACB’s new operations administrator, Grace Hart. The three have a fun conversation to learn more about Grace and the role she will be playing in the national office.

Access the podcast at https://acb.org/advocacyupdate

03/13/2026

DRNC was thrilled to attend and participate in the Coalition for the Advancement of Latinos with Disabilities (CALD) conference in Charlotte this week. Thanks to everyone in the community who stopped by! We had some wonderful conversations. Thanks to Habilidadx for hosting!

Pictured are DRNC's Vivianette Ortiz Caraballo, CASE Bilingual Supervisory Advocate and Julie-Ann Garcia-Acosta, Intake Advocate.

03/12/2026

Thirty-six years ago today, on March 12, 1990, disability rights activists gathered at the United States Capitol to demand the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Many left their wheelchairs and other mobility devices at the base of the Capitol steps and pulled themselves upward, step by step, making visible the barriers people with disabilities faced every day. The powerful protest became known as the Capitol Crawl, a moment of courage and determination that helped push the ADA across the finish line.

Today and every day we honor their courage and continue to work towards a fully integrated and accessible community where people with disabilities have power, equal opportunity, and freedom to make their own decisions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHWcJiNQZEw

03/12/2026

03/10/2026

Image:
A colorful promotional flyer announcing that Delegate and Staff Applications for the North Carolina Youth Leadership Forum (NCYLF) are now open.

The background has vertical pastel stripes in yellow and light blue, giving the flyer a bright, energetic look.

Top Section
At the top left, a white speech bubble with a thick black outline says “Due: March 20.”
Across the top right is a large yellow banner with bold black text that reads:
“Delegate and Staff Applications Are Now Open!”

Left Side
On the left side of the flyer are two blue rounded buttons stacked vertically:
● “Delegates apply here” https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsWu_j0oGKAdynFrHkpdJYD8inBAud05I6FT8EkeB0F0a9mA/viewform
● “Staff apply here” https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfghkpIFGvgcyDRYNKfy_Wqz3qov_8HSt_hkCUA_oFR5WuuFQ/viewform
Behind them is faint background text reading “Youth Lead NC …LEADing on!”

Center Section
In the middle is a large white speech bubble with black text explaining who the program is for.

Text reads:
Who? Disabled youth ages 15 to 30 who are Pre-ETS eligible.

NCYLF supports youth navigating:
● School-to-work transitions
● Independent living
● Self-advocacy skills
● Leadership growth
It says participants gain these skills through:
● Interactive workshops
● Peer connection
● Real-world skill building

Right Side Bubble
On the right side is another oval speech bubble with a small blue heart icon labeled
“Cost & Accessibility.”
● 100% Free
● Fully Accessible
● Accommodations Provided

Bottom Section
At the bottom right, a text box reads: “NCYLF – A Week That Builds Leaders.”
The North Carolina Youth Leadership Forum is a week-long leadership
experience for youth and young adults with disabilities ages 15–30 enrolled with EIPD Pre-ETS.

Contact information for support or alternate formats:
Parker Glick Email: parker@youthleadnc.org
Phone: (919) 278-7176 (texting welcome)

Bottom Photo
In the lower left corner is a photo of three young people sitting at a picnic table outdoors:
● On the left is a young man using a power wheelchair, wearing a dark shirt and
glasses.
● At the table with him are two young women, smiling and sitting on the bench.