From September 9-13, the American Association of People with Disabilities and REV UP help break systemic barriers for those with disabilities.
By Sydney Kerelo
This September is the 7th annual Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW) from the 9th to the 13th. Hosted by the American Association of People with Disabilities and REV UP, DVRW emphasizes the need for advocacy, community celebrations, and building power within the disability community.
The American Association of People with Disabilities works to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities. It is a national disability-led and cross-disability rights organization advocating for full civil rights for over 61 million Americans with disabilities.
For many people with disabilities, systemic barriers prevent them from exercising their right to vote. Inaccessible polling locations, a lack of working accessible voting machines, and absentee voting restrictions are a few examples of ways people with disabilities are limited from voting. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, in 2021, more than 400 anti-voter measures were introduced by states nationwide. These measures include restricting access to absentee voting, eliminating Election Day registration, and criminalizing assisting a person in voting.
There are more than 1 in 4 adults with disabilities in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is about 61 million Americans. That makes up a large chunk of the nation’s population, with barriers preventing them from exercising their right to vote.
But DVRW is determined to change that narrative. Grassroots disabled activists created it to spark a week of action, a week that celebrates the power of the disability community. Each year, the organization fuels this celebration with practical actions, such as voter registration, education events, candidate forums on disability issues, digital organizing, engaging with elected officials, and other creative initiatives. Last year, the organization's efforts reached partners nationwide, with over 60 free swag boxes and support for over 50 events across 31 states. This is the power of collective action, and it's making a difference.
This year, the organization wants to do more. Help DVRW’s fight against voter restrictions by:
- Hosting a Voter Registration or Education Event
- Activate social media
- Organize a candidate town hall on disability
- Write an op-ed for your local newspaper
- Partner with other disability and voting rights organizations
- Ask your local government leaders to issue a proclamation for Disability Voting Rights Week
KenCrest is your ally in this fight. We are committed to advocating for policy issues that affect children, families, and individuals with disabilities. Our role is to raise awareness for these issues and to educate legislators, stakeholders, and community members. We understand the challenges you face, and we're here to support you.
At KenCrest, we are proud to be a nonpartisan organization. Our focus is on policies that support quality education, care, and support for children to grow healthy and strong. We believe in the power of unity, and we welcome everyone who shares our vision.