Death Toll in NC Facilities

DRNC Responds to Deplorable Death Toll in NC Facilities The number of residents in institutions and facilities who are infected and dying from COVID-19 is growing at an alarming rate in North Carolina.1 These deaths far exceed national averages among

Social Security beneficiaries’ rights to stimulus money

Social Security beneficiaries’ rights to stimulus money Disability Rights North Carolina sent a letter to the NC Department of Health and Human Services requesting they provide urgent direction to all licensed residential providers serving Social Security Administration (SSA) beneficiaries with

Legal Issues Unpacked

Welcome to Legal Issues Unpacked, a video series about legal issues currently facing the disability community. We explore topics through a series of conversations between DRNC advocates and attorneys and Tori Ekstrand, associate professor UNC Hussman School of Media and

Civil Rights Groups File Emergency Lawsuit

Civil Rights Groups File Emergency Lawsuit to Demand Governor, State Officials Protect Incarcerated People from COVID-19 The ACLU of North Carolina, Disability Rights North Carolina, Emancipate NC, Forward Justice, and the National Juvenile Justice Network filed a lawsuit today seeking emergency action

Prisoner's hands sticking through prison bars

Social Distancing Impossible in Overcrowded Jails

Social distancing impossible in overcrowded jails: DRNC urges immediate action North Carolina jails are chronically overcrowded, making social distancing impossible. Jail overcrowding breaks down the basic function of the jails, according to the DOJ National Institute for Corrections. In 2018,

COVID-19 Scarce Resource Protocol

On March 27, 2020, DRNC CEO Virginia Knowlton Marcus sent a letter to Secretary Mandy Cohen as part of our current efforts to make sure that any medical care rationing policies adopted by the state of North Carolina value the

Not “Only” People

Not “Only” People Victoria Ekstrand So how dry are your hands? Mine are showing new wrinkles and crevices, but I don’t care. I’ll wash them more than two dozen times today if it means combatting COVID-19 in North Carolina. Because

Understanding the Recent News about Potential Changes to IDEA

Understanding the Recent News about Potential Changes to IDEA Ginny Fogg, DRNC Education Team Supervising Attorney You may have seen some news recently about potential changes to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as a result of COVID-19. While the language has not passed Congress yet, DRNC wants you to know

Resilience – The Carson Family Story

Resilient. That’s the word that comes to mind when I am in the presence of Evelyn, Anthony and Anthony Carson, Jr. The Carson family knows a little more than most about adversity. Evelyn, born with a rare bone disease, says

icon: graduation cap with tassel symbolizing education and earning

Resources for Distance Learning

Recent Guidance from NC Dept. of Public Instruction, Exceptional Children Division If our school district transitions to virtual instruction, how should the school district handle the delivery of special education and related services? The use of virtual platforms should be considered