MEDIA ADVISORY
Group Plans Stops in Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte next week
June 20, 2024
The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice is a collective of people with disabilities and our allies who have been driving across America since April, visiting a number of cities, including many important to the disability rights movement, to illustrate how far disabled people have come in the fight for inclusion and freedom, and how much more must happen. After its stops in NC, the caravan continues with other stops, concluding in October.
The caravan will be stopping in NC while Americans with disabilities are marking the 25th anniversary of the landmark US Supreme Court Olmstead decision and escalating demands that the ruling’s “integration mandate” be fully implemented. That historic decision holds that people who need services because of a disability have the right to choose community services. The Olmstead decision means choice instead of forced segregation in institutions.
Join Disability Rights NC and our cross-disability allies in welcoming the caravan to NC. These are great opportunities to learn about disability rights and build the disability community. In addition to highlighting the disability movement history and the Olmstead anniversary, the caravan stops provide opportunities to mobilize voters with disabilities and remove barriers to the polls.
Raleigh Stop Details
WHAT: Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice stop in Raleigh with appearances by Ali Ingersoll, Ms. Wheelchair America 2023, and other disability rights speakers who will share their personal stories, discuss the Olmstead decision, and talk about voting rights. There will also be several organizations available to talk about services and programs as well as a place to register to vote.
WEBSITE: Disability Caravan Raleigh (adanc.org/disability-caravan)
WHEN: Tuesday, June 25, 10am-noon
WHERE: The Chapel at Dorothea Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, 27603
WHO: Disability Rights NC, City of Raleigh, Alliance of Disability Advocates, NC Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, NC Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NC NAMI)
CONTACT: Emily Kibler, emily@adanc.org, and Christina Bauman, christina.bauman@raleighnc.gov
Durham Stop Details
WHAT: Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice stop in Durham is part of a rally for Disability Justice that centers cross-disability, cross-movement solidarity. It will feature: speakers, voter registration, voter ID maker, voting transportation sign-ups, free dinner, grocery giveaways, poetry reading by Durham’s Poet Laureate DJ Rogers, a dance performance by Shaleigh Dance Works. ASL, Live Audio Description, Spanish, and CART.
WEBSITE: www.candornc.org/rally
WHEN: Tuesday, June 25, 6-8:30pm
WHERE: (Events happening simultaneously; outdoor will be live-streamed to indoor event)
Outdoor/High Stimulus: Part and Parcel, 1901 Chapel Hill Road, Durham, 27707
Indoor/Low Stimulus: Community Family Life and Recreation Center at Lyon Park, 1309 Halley St., Durham, 27707
WHO: T Land
CONTACT: t.land@asacdurham.com
Charlotte Stop Details
WHAT: Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice stop in Charlotte.
Local Disability Advocate speakers will share their personal stories, discuss the Olmstead decision, voting rights and the need for community solidarity. There will also be several organizations available to talk about services and programs. ASL and Spanish interpretation will be provided.
WHEN: Thursday, June 27th, 10a-noon
WHERE: North End Community Coalition, 400 Camp Rd., Charlotte, 28206
Outdoor/High Stimulus
WHO: Project 70Forward, NCSILC-NC Statewide Independent Living Council, Disability Rights & Resources, Access CLT, North End Community Coalition, Faith CME Church, NCCDD-NC Council on Development Disabilities, Grupo De Apoyo Poder Y Esperanza, NCDHHS – NC Department Health and Human Services, Assistiv Labs, M.A.W. – Making Accessibility Work, Sustain Charlotte Regional Transportation Coalition, National Aging and Disability Transportation
CONTACT: Judith Brown, 704-200-3763, jbrown@project70forward.org
Charlotte Photo Opp Stop
WHAT: Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice Photo Opp in Charlotte
This is a photo opportunity only. Outside/Low Stimulus
WHEN: Thursday, June 27th, 1-2pm
WHERE: Faith CME Church, 457 Wellingford Rd., Charlotte, 28213
WHO: Project 70Forward, Faith CME Church, Hola Neighbor, Residents of Hidden Valley
CONTACT: Judith Brown, 704-200-3763, jbrown@project70forward.org
Charlotte Photo Opp Stop
WHAT: Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice Photo Opp in Charlotte
This is a photo opportunity only. Outside/Low Stimulus
WHEN: Wednesday, June 26th, 11:30am-12:30pm
WHERE: Grier Heights Community Center, 3100 Leroy Street, 28205
WHO: Project 70Forward, Grandparents Group, Residents of Grier Heights
CONTACT: Judith Brown, 704-200-3763, jbrown@project70forward.org