American Association of People with Disabilities

If you're in line to vote by the time that polls close, please stay in line. If you need a chair or other support to stay in line, ask a poll worker. If you have any issues while trying to cast your ballot, including accessibility issues, call or text 866-OUR-VOTE. A massive, well-trained and nonpartisan network of professionals are waiting to assist you, including professionals from state and national disability organizations. Image description in alt-text and comments. #GetOutTheVote #Election2024 #GoVote #RevUp #YourVoteIsYourPower #ProtectTheVote #CripTheVote

If you run into any issues with your ballot, registration, access barriers, or disability discrimination while you are voting, The Election Protection Hotline (866-OUR-VOTE) is here to help! AAPD has teamed up with the Election Protection Coalition, National Disability Rights Network, New Disabled South, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disability, RespectAbility, and others to form a Disabled Voter Protection "Boiler Room," which means that if you report any disability-related issue to the hotline, national and state disability organizations will help find solutions and accessible information for you! Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE to reach a trained nonpartisan volunteer in English. Call or text 888-VE-Y-VOTA to reach a trained nonpartisan volunteer in Spanish. Call or text 844-YALLA-US to reach a trained nonpartisan volunteer in Arabic. Call or text 888-API-VOTE to reach a trained nonpartisan volunteer in Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese. You can also chat with someone online at www.866OurVote.org! Haven’t voted yet? Write these numbers down and take them with you to vote! Be sure to check out our state voting guides and worksheet to make your voting plan at https://lnkd.in/eyM782Sf, too! #Vote #Election2024 #2024Election #RevUp #DisabilityCommunity #CountEveryVote #ElectionProtection

Need a ride to the polls on November 5? We've got you covered with free or discounted rides!? ?Including if you need a ride in a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV)! Voters in Boston, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, and San Francisco can use the code "MSFTA11YVOTE" when booking in the Lyft app for $15 off two rides. All of these cities have both WAVs and standard rides available on Lyft. Important Note: If you experience accessibility issues when using Lyft, please let us know using the feedback form at?https://lnkd.in/erw37Skn. If the form is not accessible to you, you can also email [email protected]. Please include the subject line: “11.05 Lyft Report." AAPD will follow up with Lyft to report on all issues! Image description in alt-text and comments.?

Disabled Voters: AAPD has resources to help you vote! We compiled resources to ensure disabled people have important information about: - When and how to cast your ballot in 50 states + DC (in English, Spanish, and Plain Language!) - What to do if you experience access issues while voting - Key disability policy developments since 2020 -...And more! Go to https://lnkd.in/eyM782Sf to check out these and other critical resources! Then, use our My Plan to Vote worksheet, make your plan, and head to the polls! Already voted? Great work! Then share this post with a disabled friend or ally (or tag them in the comments!) to help make sure they get all the info they need to vote! Image Description: Pale red graphic designed like a red checklist says in blue text: "Disabled Voters: We've got your back. Voting Guides for 50 states and DC in English, Spanish, & Plain Language, Voting Plan Worksheet, Disability Policy Briefs with Key Issue Updates, Help Line for Access Issues at Polls, and more!" A blue sign that says "Vote!" and the REV UP and AAPD logos are at the bottom.

Disabled voters are one of the largest voting blocs in America, yet we are often overlooked and ignored. We’re two weeks away from Election Day ?? and it’s time for disabled people’s power to be recognized. That's why we are so proud to release this nonpartisan ad today in 8 critical swing states in partnership with New Disabled South, Disability Culture Lab, and Detroit Disability Power: to remind voters and elected officials that disabled people VOTE! We will not be counted out. Go to vote.newdisabledsouth.org to learn more and access resources for disabled voters. Video description: 1 minute clip of disabled voters speaking or signing directly to camera. Captions match audio. End clip displays logos of partnering orgs. #DisabledVoter #CripTheVote #RevUp #DisabilityPower #DisabilityCommunity #GetOutTheVote #Election2024

AAPD is proud to sponsor live ASL interpretation of tonight's Vice Presidential Debate! Tune in at 9pm ET. Debates are an important tradition in the U.S. elections process and are vital to ensure voters are informed about the election. Despite their significance, televised debates have historically not included ASL interpreters in the broadcast, have experienced problems with captioning, and have neglected to include disability perspectives in questions posed to candidates. This then excludes voters with disabilities, and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing voters, from accessing media coverage. Access barriers to information could also dissuade some disabled voters from voting in elections. Voting must be accessible for all, including accessible information about who and what is on the ballot. That's why we are so proud to be in collaboration with the Deaf Professional Arts Network (D-PAN) for live ASL interpretation tonight at 9pm ET at this link: https://lnkd.in/eUHvqxnG #DisabilityVote #DisCo

The ASCEND Cohort of the Fannie Lou Hamer Leadership Program is now accepting applications! This program is designed for young Black identified disabled advocates (ages 16-25) who are committed to advancing educational equity and disability rights. As part of the ASCEND cohort, you’ll receive leadership and advocacy training, connect with fellow student leaders, and create impactful projects that benefit your local community. You'll also get to collaborate with the Department of Education and travel to Washington, D.C. for direct engagement! Here’s what you need to know: ?? Deadline: October 14 ?? Stipend: $1,500 or tech assistance ?? Weekly virtual meetings starting Nov 4 ?? Travel to Washington, D.C. in February for a graduation celebration! This is a powerful opportunity to make a difference and continue the legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer. Don’t miss out! Apply now: https://bit.ly/47Rg130 #DisabilityAdvocacy #FLHLeadership #BlackDisabledLeaders #EducationEquity #ASCENDCohort #LeadershipProgram #YouthAdvocates #ApplyNow

Under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers often segregate disabled workers into sheltered workshops, away from their colleagues. Sheltered workshops do not help disabled workers move into competitive employment, and are a form of segregation. Research from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights shows that integrated employment and community settings are more beneficial and productive for all workers. Did you know that Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act was written before the invention of the transistor radio?! In the words of AAPD President and CEO Maria Town, “Section 14(c), subminimum wage, and segregated employment are antiquated concepts.” Learn more and join us in calling for all disabled workers to be treated with fairness and respect at EndSubminimumWage.com #EndSubminimumWage #ShortChanged #EqualPay #EqualPayForEqualWork #DisabilityAdvocacy #DisabilityEquality Video Description: Carousel of images, with first image showing a young person in a wheelchair with text: "What are sheltered workshops?", second image with text: "Sheltered Workshops are a form of segregation for disabled workers. Under 14c, this practice is common.", third image showing two disabled workers with text underneath: "Research shows that integrated employment and community settings are more beneficial and productive for all workers.", and 4th and final image showing a person in a wheelchair with the text: Join Us in calling for disabled workers to be treated with fairness and respect: EndSubminimumWage.com"

Are you a student or recent graduate with a disability looking to build leadership skills, explore career paths, and connect with the disability community? Apply today for AAPD's 2025 Summer Internship Program! The 2025 AAPD Summer Internship application is now open! This hybrid program offers both remote opportunities across the U.S. and in-person internships in Washington, D.C. ?? 10 weeks ?? Remote or in D.C. ?? Build advocacy skills through the Disability Advocacy Certificate Program ???? Get matched with a mentor ?? Join virtual community events We partner with a wide variety of Congressional, federal agency, and nonprofit partners. We also have two specialized placements for Summer 2025: The Microsoft STEM Internship for applicants passionate about technology and its impact on the disability community, and the Bobby Silverstein Fellowship for applicants with a strong interest in disability policy issues from a legal framework. Learn more at our virtual info session on Monday, September 23rd, from 4:00pm - 5:00pm ET. CART & ASL provided. You can learn more about the application process and requirements, as well as register for Monday's information session on our website: https://lnkd.in/ez3c4yx Image Descriptions: 1: A teal and purple graphic with a photo of group of interns standing in front of the Capitol in Washington, DC. There is text that reads "Apply to the AAPD Internship Program Today! Applications now open! Deadline: October 10, 2024" The AAPD logo is in the bottom right corner. 2: A blue graphic with blue and purple decorative elements reads reads: "Interested? Join Our Webinar! Monday, September 23, 4-5pm ET. Learn about the program, application process, and get your questions answered! CART & ASL provided." #AAPDintern #PaidInternship #JobOpportunity #Internship #Summer2025 #DisabilityAdvocacy #DisabilityCommunity #DisabledLeader #DisabledStudent #Spoonie #Leadership

In 2002, Vermont became the first state to eliminate subminimum wage. That same year, the state also closed its last sheltered workshop. In the years that followed, employment rates jumped for disabled workers. From 2002 to 2019, there was an 88% increase in people with disabilities working. In 2022, 42% of working-age adults in Vermont with disabilities were employed, compared to a 35% employment rate for working-age adults with disabilities nationally. Vermont is proof that ending subminimum wage is not only possible, but also creates a more equitable and productive society. In the words of Elizabeth Sightler, Agency Executive Director of Champlain Community Services in Vermont: “Vermont provides great evidence that there is no longer a need to have subminimum wage. I’m here to say there’s great success beyond it and that people are served very well. It’s a true reality for the states who are looking to stop or to transition away from using 14(c)." Together, we can work to ensure that 14c is eliminated in all states across the country. Learn more: EndSubminimumWage.org