NC Council on Developmental Disabilities promotes REV UP Campaign – Making the Disability Vote Count

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) is promoting the national effort to make the disability vote more influential in this year’s election.

This effort, known as the REV UP Campaign, has designated July 11-15, 2016 as National Disability Voter Registration Week in advance of the November election. REV UP stands for Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power!

“Voting is an important form of advocacy for all people,” said Chris Egan, executive director of NCCDD. “We encourage North Carolina’s disability community to participate in voting as this election is an important one. Having your voice heard at the polls is the first step to advocating for better long-term services and supports.”

North Carolinians with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, their families and other stakeholders can find out more information on registering to vote, their candidates and polling places by visiting the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

People with disabilities have a huge stake in both state and federal results of the upcoming November election. There are nearly 30 million people with disabilities eligible to vote when registered. This number does not include “the ripple effect” of family, friends and service professionals who will vote in-line with disability interests.

During National Disability Voter Registration Week, REV UP Campaigns around the country will make a concerted effort to get more people with disabilities registered to vote, educate voters about issues and candidates, promote turnout of voters with disabilities across the country, engage candidates and the media on disability issues, and protect eligible voters’ right to participate in elections.

For more information on the REV UP Campaign and National Disability Voter Registration Week, please contact AAPD, the national REV UP Coordinator, at www.aapd.com/REVUP. The REV UP Campaign offers a host of resources on the 2016 election, registering to vote, ways to drive civic engagement and a compilation of state-specific resources and events.

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) works to assure that people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, integration, independence, productivity and inclusion in all areas of community life. Through its Five Year Plan, the Council identifies and funds innovative projects and initiatives that promote the goals of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) for all North Carolinians.

– Submitted by NCCDD