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The current cost-of-living increase hits many people hard, but especially people with disabilities. Disabled people are more likely to live in poverty than their able-bodied peers. Unemployment and under-employment, shrinking benefits, and rising medical costs are just some factors that drive this disparity. Your local public library is a free resource offering a lot more than just books. Many libraries host free programs on a variety of topics including crafts, small business assistance, financial literacy and more! If you haven't visited in a while, you may be surprised to discover that the library in many locations has become a vibrant community gathering place! It is one of that last places where someone can visit without the expectation of spending money. Check out your local branch to find out more. And read more about how people across the country are rediscovering this vital resource!

UPCOMING EVENT! The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a virtual webinar to provide updates on the Transitions to Community Living (TCL) program following the U.S. Department of Justice finding NCDHHS in substantial compliance with the TCL settlement agreement. TCL helps eligible adults with severe and persistent mental illness and serious mental illness transition from state psychiatric hospitals and adult care homes to community living, where they can choose where they live and work. The program is a pillar of North Carolina’s Olmstead Plan, which promotes community inclusion for people with mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and substance use disorders. The Department remains committed to advancing community inclusion in partnership with community members, providers and advocates. WHAT: Transitions to Community Living Webinar WHO: Debra Farrington, Deputy Secretary for Health, NCDHHS; Deb Goda, Olmstead Director, NCDHHS WHEN: Monday, Nov. 2, 2026; 1 – 1:45 p.m. WHERE: Online. Registration is required to attend the virtual webinar. To register, please fill out the Transitions to Community Living (TCL) Webinar Registration Form. Questions can be submitted through the registration form. Find the link to register and more information at NCDHSS' recent press release! https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2026/10/27/ncdhhs-host-webinar-transitions-community-living-program MEDIA: Credentialed media should register for the event using the registration form and RSVP to news@dhhs.nc.gov.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! What is NDEAM? National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions people with disabilities make to our workplaces, communities, and economy. It’s also an opportunity to promote more inclusive workplaces and greater access to meaningful employment. THIS YEAR’S THEME: Celebrating Value & Talent ✨ Everyone deserves the opportunity to find meaningful work and contribute their skills and talents. What can we do? Build accessible workplaces Expand employment opportunities Support workplace accommodations Recognize and celebrate the talents of people with disabilities Inclusion matters — all year long. This October, let’s celebrate the value and talent that people with disabilities bring to our communities. acl.gov/news-and-events/events-and-observances/NDEAM

Work with us! DRNC has an immediate opening for a full-time employment attorney on the Community Access Team (CAT). CAT team work centers around ensuring people with disabilities have equal opportunities to live, work, and participate in their communities. The staff attorney for this position will engage in research and analysis of disability-related employment services and civil rights laws and provide individual and systemic representation to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities who have been denied equal access to employment and employment services. A licensed attorney with litigation experience and an interest in disability civil rights laws is preferred. Desirable Qualifications Life experience with disability Civil litigation experience Familiarity with the Americans with Disabilities and Rehabilitation Acts Experience in a legal services, nonprofit or public interest environment Understanding of trauma and experience using trauma-informed approaches Ability to communicate in ASL, Spanish or another non-English language Compensation and Benefits Compensation Package that is competitive with other non-profits: Salary range between $69,000 – $125,300, depending on years of experience. DRNC offers excellent benefits that include 100% employer-paid health, dental, vision, life and disability as well as generous paid time off and retirement plan with an employer match. How to Apply Send a resume and detailed letter of interest explaining your qualifications and interest in the position to resumes.hr@disabilityrightsnc.org. Include Staff Employment Attorney Community Access Team in the subject line of the email. No phone calls please. Closing Date: Priority given to resumes/cover letters received by October 31, 2026. Position will remain open until filled. https://disabilityrightsnc.org/careers/seeking-staff-attorney-employment/

The goal of the HOPE NC pilot housing programs is to demonstrate the different ways people with disabilities can live independently while also receiving support through services and their peers. For many adults with disabilities, the default options have been to live in congregate settings or in their childhood homes; neither offers much chance to be independent. HOPE NC @nchealthnews Read more https://bit.ly/4hQti2p

Oct 15 White Cane Awareness Day WHAT IS A WHITE CANE? A white cane is an important mobility tool that helps many blind people and people with low vision navigate their surroundings, detect obstacles, and travel independently. Independence looks different for everyone. People who are blind or have low vision use different tools and techniques to navigate the world. A white cane is one way to support mobility, autonomy, and access to everyday life. How can you be respectful? Ask before offering assistance. Never grab someone or their cane. Speak directly to the person, not just their companion. Respect each person's independence and choices. Accessibility is everyone's responsibility. Keep sidewalks and pathways clear, respect accessible pedestrian spaces, and support communities where people with disabilities can travel safely and participate fully. Celebrate access. Respect independence. This White Cane Awareness Day, help spread awareness about blindness, mobility, and the importance of equal access. Accessibility benefits everyone. nfb.org/programs-services/blind-equality-achievement-month/white-cane-awareness-day

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, with far-reaching. 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 #NCMEDICAID #NCDHHS

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. #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth #NDRN

TODAY! Join a Community Conversation for People with Disabilities The North Carolina Statewide Independent Living Council (NCSILC) and NC Centers for Independent Living want to hear directly from people with disabilities across North Carolina. Join one of our upcoming Community Conversations and tell us: What is working well in your community? What challenges do you face? What needs to change? What would help you live more independently? What you share will help shape North Carolina’s next State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). The SPIL helps guide statewide work on issues important to people with disabilities, including housing, transportation, employment, community supports, accessibility, and more. Upcoming Community Conversations September 23 | 1:00–2:00 PM Virtual Event Join by Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89591981849 September 23 | 2:30 PM In-Person Event Disability Partners, a Center for Independent Living 108 New Leicester Hwy Asheville, NC September 30 | 6:30 PM Virtual Event Join by Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85337613741 Can't Attend? Take Our Needs Assessment Survey! Or better yet—do both! Whether or not you attend a Community Conversation, please take a few minutes to complete our 2026 Needs Assessment Survey. Every response helps us better understand the needs and priorities of people with disabilities across North Carolina. We need to hear directly from people with disabilities, so please add your voice! Your feedback can make a difference- complete the 2026 Needs Assessment Survey today! If you need the survey in another format or language, have trouble with the survey link, or need help completing it, please contact: Gloria Garton 984-480-6328 gloria.garton@nc-silc.org

Many people feel defeated right now. But we can make decisions to protect and improve our community, especially on the local and state levels. Voting isn’t just about candidates. When we vote, we can unlock: 💳 Public assistance 🚊 Transportation access 🏠 Housing opportunities 🏥 Access to healthcare 💼 Employment rights And all of that starts with registering to vote. As many as 1 in 4 eligible Americans are not registered to vote or are unsure of their registration status. And in 2022, nearly 50% of eligible voters with disabilities did not turn out to vote. Be part of the solution: get your community #VoteReady on #NationalVoterRegistrationDay today. Register to vote or check your registration: https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/register-to-vote/https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/register-to-vote/ NatlVoterRegDay #DisabilityVotingRightsWeek #DisabilityVote #RevUp2026 ALT TEXT, IMAGE 1: The image features a circle around the text: “MY VOTE MATTERS.” Other bubbles form a ring around the center, with icons that match the following words: community, employment, healthcare, education, mental health, justice.

On September 11, we remember the nearly 3,000 people whose lives were taken in the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and aboard United Airlines Flight 93. We honor the first responders, survivors, civilians, and all those who showed extraordinary courage in the face of unimaginable circumstances. Some of those who survived sustained life-altering injuries and acquired disabilities including chronic illnesses, respiratory conditions, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and other disabilities in the years that followed. Today we remember and honor them as well. #PatriotDay #September11

Upcoming Webinars! The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities is hosting a series of webinars on autism in September and October on Zoom on Thursday evenings. Presenters will include professionals, clinicians, researchers, self-advocates, and subject matter experts in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), offering diverse perspectives on diagnosis, interventions, supports, and lived experience. For Families, Health Professionals, Advocates and State Leaders Thursday September 17th, 24th, and October 15th 6:30 to 7:45 pm -- Zoom Thursday, Sept. 17th: Part I: Autism: Obtaining a Diagnosis and Next Steps Thursday, Sept. 24th: Part II: Introduction to Autism Models of Interventions and Supports (Session A) Register today! https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/uOVKENwFTaOzQLDSXnnLFw#/registration Register here for Thursday, October 15th: Part III: Introduction to Autism Models of Interventions and Supports (Session B) - https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/0MUbm3ohQbaSiHpBbxNUjA#/registration

Today Governor Josh Stein is urging United States Attorney General Todd Blanche to protect the long-established rights of people with disabilities. Governor Stein and 17 other governors responded to the United States Department of Justice’s declaration that it will not rely on its own longstanding Olmstead guidance. That guidance provides that people with disabilities should have the opportunity to live, work, receive services and supports, and participate in their communities when appropriate, desired, and reasonable. “People with disabilities should have every opportunity to thrive within their communities. That’s what our law requires, and it’s the right thing to do,” said Governor Josh Stein. “The Department of Justice is creating uncertainty for people with disabilities and their families by withdrawing its support for the right to community-based services and supports. I am calling on Attorney General Blanche to follow longstanding precedent and the DOJ’s own Olmstead guidance.” Read more including the multi-state letter https://disabilityrightsnc.org/news/governor-stein-joins-17-other-governors-in-standing-with-people-with-disabilities/

Upcoming Event! Addressing Solitary Confinement in the Durham County Youth Home LOCATION: People’s Solidarity Hub – 1805 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, NC 27707 DATE: Sep 28, 2026 TIME: 6:00 PM DRNC will be hosting a community event to share more details on our monitoring findings, have a dialogue with a panel of people with lived experience and expertise, and to hold an open forum for questions, planning, and to begin organizing with the Durham community. DRNC hopes to draw an audience of community members, movement groups, and local officials, including representatives from the Durham County Board of Commissioners, with the goal of developing meaningful solutions to these conditions. Register today! https://disabilityrightsnc.org/event/addressing-solitary-confinement-in-the-durham-county-youth-home/ Background: Between September 2024 and June 2026, Disability Rights North Carolina has monitored in the Durham County Youth Home – the juvenile detention center (JDC) for Durham County. Among other issues, our monitoring has found that youth in the facility are regularly confined to their cells for between 22-24 hours per day – meeting the standard for solitary confinement. Despite DRNC attempting to directly resolve these issues with the Youth Home, youth are still being held in solitary confinement. Solitary confinement has been repeatedly shown to have disastrous mental health impacts, especially on children. Read our recent report https://disabilityrightsnc.org/news/behind-locked-doors-inside-north-carolinas-juvenile-detention-centers/

h/t Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) What does equal access to community life look like? Sometimes, it looks like dinner. This October 10, Disability Night Out is inviting disabled people, families, friends, and allies to gather at restaurants across the country and celebrate our right to participate fully in community life. Access is about more than getting through the door. It means being able to participate in the ordinary moments that connect us, like sharing a meal, spending time with friends and family, celebrating, and simply being part of our communities. More than 36 years after the ADA, disabled people still encounter barriers in restaurants, cafés, and other community spaces. Disability Night Out offers a joyful way to make those barriers more visible while showing what inclusion can feel like. This isn’t about catching businesses doing something wrong. It’s about disabled people bringing our lived expertise to the table, sharing what works and what could work better, and inviting restaurants to be part of creating more accessible and welcoming communities. Experiences, feedback, and photos shared through Disability Night Out will help turn what we learn on October 10 into opportunities for greater access. Because disabled people belong everywhere community happens. Join Disability Night Out on 10/10! Learn more at: disabilitynightout.org

World Narcolepsy Day 2026 is today September 22, 2026. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of narcolepsy on a global scale. Established by 24 patient advocacy organizations across 6 continents in 2019, World Narcolepsy Day unites the international narcolepsy community to inspire action, increase public knowledge, and elevate the voices of the 3 million people living with narcolepsy worldwide. Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition that impairs the brain’s ability to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. It affects 1 in 2,000 people; 200,000 Americans and 3 million people worldwide. Because of low awareness (even among physicians) and misperceptions, there is an average of 8 to 15 years between narcolepsy symptom onset and diagnosis. It’s estimated that the majority of people with narcolepsy are currently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Together, we can reduce delays in narcolepsy diagnosis, reduce stigma and improve outcomes. Get involved and use the hashtag #WorldNarcolepsyDay. Find out more: https://narcolepsynetwork.org/resources/ https://project-sleep.com/world-narcolepsy-day/

We are hiring! DRNC is seeking an Investigations and Monitoring (I&M) Investigator The position investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other civil and disability rights violations involving people with disabilities, and monitors facilities and other settings where people with disabilities live or receive services. We are especially interested in candidates with investigative experience, strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, and demonstrated professional writing ability. Relevant experience may come from many settings, including protective services, regulatory or licensing agencies, healthcare or human services, compliance, criminal or legal investigations, quality assurance, or other work involving structured fact-finding and analysis. Prior disability-rights experience is welcomed but is not required. Learn more and apply today! https://disabilityrightsnc.org/careers/seeking-investigator/

College Students with Disabilities: Your Guide to Campus Accommodations and Support Services In K–12, schools come to you. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are built by teams, delivered automatically, and legally required. In college, the rules change entirely. You become your own advocate. No one will track you down to ask whether you need support — you must seek it out, register for it, and communicate your needs. That shift can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to be. This guide walks students with disabilities — and the families who support them — through every step of navigating college accommodations: understanding your legal rights, registering with Disability Services, knowing what documentation to bring, and making the most of the support available on campus. Whether you are heading to a four-year university, a community college, or a vocational program, the information below applies to you. https://www.ameridisability.com/college-students-with-disabilities-your-guide-to-campus-accommodations-and-support-services/

OCTOBER IS ADHD AWARENESS MONTH Understanding ADHD starts with understanding the person. Here are the top 4 things you should know this month. 1. What is ADHD? ADHD is more than being distracted, it is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect attention, impulsivity, activity levels, organization, relationships, school, and work. ADHD doesn't look the same for everyone. 2. ADHD does not equal laziness! ADHD isn't a lack of discipline, and it isn't “just not trying hard enough.” Understanding ADHD means moving beyond misconceptions and learning what people actually experience. 3. SUPPORT MATTERS. For someone with ADHD support might look like: A friend who listens. An employer who provides accommodations. A healthcare provider who takes concerns seriously. A community that understands. Support doesn't have to look the same for everyone. 4.AWARENESS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. We can learn. We can listen. We can challenge misinformation. We can ask what support looks like. And we can build communities where people with ADHD don't have to navigate life alone. LEARN MORE TODAY chadd.org/awareness

Open Career Opportunities! DRNC is seeking applicants for a Litigation Counsel and Investigations and Monitoring (I&M) Investigator position. Find out more and apply today! https://disabilityrightsnc.org/about/careers/

h/t Life on the Spectrum Many families never hear about this. Students with an intellectual disability can get federal student aid for college through an approved Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) program. That includes many autistic students who also have an intellectual disability. What it can include: • Federal Pell Grants • FSEOG grants ($100 to $4,000 a year) • Federal Work-Study None of it is a loan. It doesn’t have to be paid back. How to get it: 1. Find an approved CTP program in Think College’s directory at thinkcollege.net 2. Fill in the FAFSA. No high school diploma or GED needed. 3. The college’s financial aid office works out the package Grants may not cover the full cost, and the student must have left high school. Federal student loans aren’t included. Is your family starting to think about life after high school? Federal Student Aid, Think College #Autism #AutisticTeens #TransitionPlanning #SpecialNeedsParenting

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: sandra@cultureiq.group Phone Number: (818) 666-7316

This weekend marks the second anniversary of Hurricane Helene's devastating path through Western North Carolina, a disaster that claimed lives and changed communities forever. Two years later, many Western North Carolinians are still waiting for stable housing and rebuilt infrastructure. We're grateful to our community partners as we continue working together toward long-term recovery. As we reflect on Helene, it is important to remember that disabled people are far more likely to be negatively impacted by disasters due in part to inaccessible infrastructure and exclusion from planning. True recovery and future disaster preparedness must include disabled people from the start. We must prioritize accessible evacuation, alerts, shelters, and recovery efforts. Anniversaries of disasters of this magnitude are painful. Please be gentle with yourself today and reach out to your communities for support. Image: Anchorage Nurse Assists in Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts, thetundradrums.com

h/t North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities Next week, join NCCDD’s Monthly Policy Education Meeting, Capitol and Community! Date: November 12, 2026 Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Where: Zoom Registration link:https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdu-uqD8oHpxzFX9FiES_lSmk_8OP4r4 The meeting provides public policy information that educates and informs people with I/DD, their families, and the community of disability policy updates. Public Policy Education Meetings are typically held on the second Thursday of every month and are free and open to the public.

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h/t North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities Next week, join NCCDD’s Monthly Policy Education Meeting, Capitol and Community!