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The Importance of the Disability Vote—All votes Count!
Voting serves an essential function in the United States. By registering to vote and then
casting your ballot in a local, state or national election, you're helping to shape the place
in which you live.
The United States is a democracy meant to function through the will of the people. This
will is made evident through voting. People including the President, members of
Congress, mayors and city council officials make a lot of decisions within the areas they oversee -- but those
elected officials can come or go depending on who the public favors. Voters also make decisions on items of
importance, including allocating funding for schools, highways or health care. In essence, when you vote, you
are taking part in a collective decision-making process.
5.6 million disabled people voted in the last presidential race. If the 3 million who registered but didn't vote
had voted, that would have meant a disability vote of over 18 million. That is a significant number considering
just 3.4 million votes separated President Obama and Mitt Romney in the 2012 election. These votes are also,
of course, available to candidates for Congress, and for state and local office.
Maybe candidates have difficulty reaching a disabled demographic because it’s hard to identify a powerful,
united “disability vote.” The Rutgers study also found mixed voter-participation numbers when compared to
nondisabled voters. The registration rate for voting-age disabled people is 2.3 percent lower, and the voter
turnout rate is 5.7 percent lower, than for eligible non-disabled people. About 3 million disabled people
registered in 2012 but didn't actually vote.
The 2016 general election campaign has already begun to ramp up. Now is the perfect time to offer some free
advice to all candidates—national, state, and local—on how to address disabled people and talk about disability
issues. Once the campaign gets going, we'll all be pulling for our favorite Democrats, Republicans, or
Independents, but for a limited time only, here are some basic tips for anyone willing to listen:
There’s more than one way to view disability Educate yourself about the difference between medical and social
approaches to disability. Disabled people and their families are separate constituencies.
We share many of the same concerns, but parents, spouses, and adult children of disabled people tend to have
different perceptions of disability and disability policy than disabled people themselves. Disabled people have
different perspectives on certain contentious issues
Just saying you “support the disabled” is meaningless. Instead, suggest or endorse specific legislation or
initiatives that address disability issues. Avoid patronizing actions, words, and phrases. Don’t say: suffer from;
afflicted by; patients; handicapped; differently-abled; challenged (physically or mentally); wheelchair-bound;
special needs and, of course, “retarded.” In fact, take note of the fact that many legislators on the state level
have lobbied to take terms like “retarded” and “moron” out of their state codes to bring them up to more
modern attitudes about disability.
Don’t push someone’s wheelchair unless invited to do so, and don’t assume that someone needs help. Speak
to disabled people directly; don’t turn to someone else and ask, “How did she like the speech?” Never, ever, pet
a disabled person on the head—not even if it’s a little kid! Look us directly in the eye and offer to shake hands.
You can’t go too far wrong by treating disabled people the way you would any other potential supporter.
Above all, remember that people with disabilities aren't merely someone else’s dependents. They are citizens.
They are constituents. And they are voters.
The Independence Newsletter
“It’s Our Story”
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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advocacy Program
At the
Adaptables CIL
April

April 1, Silent Social Dinner at Hanes Mall Food Court 6pm-9pm. 3320 Silas Creek
Parkway Winston Salem, N.C. 27103 For more information please contact Tan Lynn at email:
[email protected]

April 5-May 10, The Adaptables, CIL will be providing Basic Sign Language Classes on
Tuesdays for 6 weeks at 6pm till 7pm for $25.00 at 3908 Westpoint Blvd., Suite B,
Winston-Salem, N.C. 27103. Please call or sign up by April 1st. For more information, please
contact Jane McCann at: (336) 767-7060 or email: [email protected]

April 7, Deaf Self Advocacy Training 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. At Winston Salem Vocational
Rehabilitation 2201 Brewer Road Winston Salem, NC 27127. Must RSVP By March 25 th. For
more
Information contact Ruben Leon at email: [email protected] or Christina Moore
at email: [email protected]
May

May 6, Silent Social Dinner at Hanes Mall Food Court 6pm-9pm. 3320 Silas Creek
Parkway Winston Salem, N.C. 27103 For more information please contact Tan Lynn at email:
[email protected]

May 19, Deaf Women Lunch Social- Longhorn Steakhouse 12pm-2pm at 956 Hanes Mall
Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27103. For more information please contact Corene Brown
at [email protected] or Christina Moore at
[email protected] or VP (336) 793-8010.

May 24-June 28, The Adaptables, CIL will be providing Basic Sign Language level 2
Classes on Tuesdays for 6 weeks at 6pm till 7pm for $25.00 at 3908 Westpoint Blvd.,
Suite B, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27103. Please call or sign up by May 17th. For more
information, please contact Christina Moore at email: [email protected]
June

June
2, Silent Social Dinner at Hanes Mall Food Court 6pm-9pm. 3320 Silas Creek
Parkway Winston Salem, N.C. 27103 For more information please contact Tan Lynn at email:
[email protected]
The Independence Newsletter
“It’s Our Story”
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Youth Empowerment &
Education in
School Program
High School Program
The Independence Newsletter
“It’s Our Story”
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Baby Boomers Are Turning Grey:
Getting Up Close and Personal with the Americans with
Disabilities Act
With aging comes….senior discounts, early bird dinners, grandchildren and other benefits. With aging…very often
disability comes as well. And, while magazines from AARP and other leisure-style publications run ads and articles
about how we boomers can age in place, or the best places to retire, or how we can qualify for this or that financial
benefit or social service, they rarely address another benefit—one that comes because we have now acquired a
disability.
Brought to you by the disability community and their supports and passed almost unanimously in 1990 by both Houses
of Congress, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) not only makes the physical world more accessible to you, but
because it is a piece of civil rights legislation, it also protects you from discrimination based on a disability.
You may already have noticed curb cuts on sidewalks, sloping entrances to buildings, clearly marked and striped
accessible parking spaces as well as the appearance of captions under news broadcasts and other shows. But do you
also realize that you can request assistive listening devices in movie theaters or in public forums to help you participate
fully—whether enjoying a movie or participating in a heated discussion? Or that the ADA requires employers to
provide reasonable accommodations to current and prospective qualified employees if doing so will allow those
Individuals to perform the essential functions of their jobs?
More and more boomers are choosing to remain in the workforce beyond the once-typical retirement age of 65. A
recent survey by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) shows that seven in 10 Americans plan on
working at the age of 65, and nearly half expect to work well into their 70s and 80s. Thanks to the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations will be available to those qualified senior workers with disabilities
to help them remain employed. Most of these accommodations are inexpensive—and make good sense. If a raised
desk, or a magnifying monitor screen, or an amplified telephone head set allow you, as an experienced and qualified
worker, to remain on your job despite acquiring a disability or two...or even three, you can thank the ADA.
People without disabilities have often been called TABs—Temporarily Able- Bodied—by those with disabilities. In
2006, the leading edge of the Baby Boom generation turned 60. AARP says that an additional four million Americans
turn 50 each year. As people age, their chances of developing age-related physical changes that may affect hearing,
vision, cognition, and mobility also increase.
The U. S. Census Bureau projects that the number of people 65 and older will more than double between 2000 and
2030—from 35 million to 71.5 million people. There will be twice as many people 85 and older in 2030, with 9.6 million
individuals projected to be part of the population
Whether older adults have disabilities or not, they benefit from accessible features and customer service practices in
stores, museums, restaurants, printed publications, and online shopping, among others. Accessibility makes a visit to
the grocery store, a theater performance, and an internet search easier and more enjoyable for people who experience
limitations in vision, hearing, mobility, or memory.
Most Baby Boomers underestimate their risk of incurring a disability that would cause them to miss work for an
extended period of time, according to a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of America's Health
Insurance Plans (AHIP). The survey also found that nearly half (47 percent) of Baby Boomers say they are not too
concerned about their chances of suffering a disabling illness or injury. Yet, while they may not think of themselves as
having disabilities, people in this age group often choose to patronize businesses that accommodate those changes by
offering better lighting, less ambient noise, and fewer stairs.
And businesses will do well to take the wants and needs of this burgeoning population into consideration. This large
and growing market of people with disabilities has $175 billion in discretionary spending. AARP says that people, with
and without disabilities, age 50 and older spent nearly $400 billion in 2003. Do the words, “I’m older and richer than
you are” mean anything to you? Whether you are a business seeking our dollars or a member of our ever-growing
disability community—they should! Towanda!
The Independence Newsletter
“It’s Our Story”
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As the temperatures begin to rise and the days gradually get longer, I can feel the wonderful
spring fever creeping into my soul. Spring is thought of as a time of rebirth & regeneration. It
is a time to dust off the tools in the tool shed and put them to work. I see my neighbors
working outside, planting seeds and prepping the yard so it will look fabulous in a few
months. As an advocate, spring is an excellent time to dust off your set of advocacy tools and
put them to work. An advocate’s tools are not clippers, shovels, mowers or rakes; rather they
are your presence, your story, and your voice. Each of us has a story to tell, a story that is
unique and powerful. First of all, find out who represents you and develop your story. Start
by telling who you are and what is so important to you that you felt the need to speak up.
Describe the issue and what is not working and provide examples but then be willing to offer
some solutions. It is important to speak up for yourself and for issues that are important to
you. You are an expert on yourself and your experiences. If you do not speak up then
someone with an opposing opinion is likely to.
Now is an excellent time to contact your Representatives in Raleigh and let them know your
concerns. This is an election year so most of your Representatives should be eager to hear
from you. The Adaptables are working to secure meetings with the Representatives from our
six counties and make them aware of some of our most pressing concerns. We encourage
you to do the same. By reaching out and contacting your representatives you are potentially
‘planting a seed’ that can grow to become a major change factor for others with disabilities.
The Independence Newsletter
“It’s Our Story”
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Let Your Voice be Heard
Why You Should Vote
Be it an election for a
commissioner,
governor,
state official, legislator or
president - it is the people of
a nation who have the right to
put-forward policies that will
affect the town, your job,
your country, your taxes
through
the
governing
bodies.
Voting ensures that your
opinion is taken into account
while appointing the person
who holds the reins of power.
People who are elected have
the power to formulate
educational policies which
are instrumental in shaping
the future of children and
hence the future of the nation
itself.
Health care, highways, jobs,
taxes or even food, the
elected representatives have
the power to take decisions
some of the most vital issues in
our life. So would you be
comfortable in letting "anybody"
take over these powers, without
exercising your right to vote?
Voting is one of the fundamental
processes, which is instrumental
in the development of a healthy
democracy. Next time there is an
election in your country, state or
town, think of people who are
living under tyrannical dictatorships or are under curfews and
cannot exercise their right to
opinion. Your right to vote is
your right to expression and
opinion. Do not take your right
for granted. Try to appreciate
the power of voting by
exercising it! Voting is one of the
greatest privilege of living in a
democracy. It gives you a
recognition to your opinions and
choices. Once the children complete the age of
18 they are encouraged to cast
their vote. But most of the youth
today believes that exercising
vote is futile. Well they are not
completely wrong because the
political system is so corrupt and
complex that people have lost
faith in it. Thanks to the selfish
behavior of politicians, as they
are not even trying to reestablish
the faith in the democracy. But
people must understand that this
kind of absenteeism from voting
is only favorable for corrupt
people. It is important to vote in
elections and make your opinion
counted and believe me the
change is possible. The better
world is possible if you
understand why is it important to
vote.
REMEMBER
You Can Choose Your Government
Facts about Spring








The vernal equinox is the first day of the year when we have 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of
night.
“Vernal” is Latin for “spring” and “equinox” is Latin for “equal night.”
There are two equinoxes every year – vernal and autumnal. Those two days are the only times
during the when the sunrise is due east and the sunset is due west.
According to superstition, today is the only day you can stand a raw egg on its end.
Ancient Egyptians built the Great Sphinx to point directly East toward the sunrise on the vernal
equinox.
Stonehenge in England also marks the position of the rising sun on the vernal equinox.
In Central America, the ancient Mayans built Chichén Itza to align with the sun’s movement on
the equinox. While the sum moves across the sky, the pyramid’s shadows look like giant serpent slowly moving down the stairway.
To many cultures around the world, the vernal equinox signals the time to start planting crops.
According to studies by the US Department of Transportation, Daylight Savings Time saves about
1% of electricity a day. It doesn’t sound like much, but when you consider it covers most of the
nation (except Arizona and Hawaii) that adds up to a significant amount!
The Independence Newsletter
“It’s Our Story”
6
XXXXX
A Photo ID Will be Required to Vote in
2016
Beginning in 2016, voters will be required to show a photo ID that bears a
reasonable resemblance to the voter.
Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
• N.C. driver's license
• North Carolina ID card issued by DMV
• U.S. passport
• Military or Veterans ID
• Tribal ID from a federally or state recognized tribe
• Out-of-state driver's license (only valid if voter registration occurred within 90 days of the
election)
NOTE: North Carolina voters who do not already have an acceptable ID can get one for free
from the DMV.
Detach and Mail , call or fax to The Adaptables
Make your Tax Free Donation Today
Online Donations now available through the Website
The Adaptables
Center For
Independent Living
3908 Westpoint Blvd.
Suite B
Winston-Salem, NC
27103
336-767-7060
866-894-3103 or
Fax to 336-760-7240
Sign up for:
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The Independence Newsletter
“It’s Our Story”
7
Be Ready for the Unthinkable
If you are a person with disabilities, it is doubly
important to have a plan of action in place in case you
would have to be evacuated in an emergency. You must
know how you will be able to get away quickly and
what you will need to survive. Thinking through and
writing out your plan will help you not to panic. Having
an emergency kit prepared and ready to grab will help
you make sure you have essential items if a disaster
should strike.
Have a plan for taking medical
equipment, medications, and a service animal with you
if needed.
Making a Plan for Disaster
Consider how a disaster might affect your individual needs.
Plan to make it on your own, at least for a period. It is possible that you will not have access
to a medical facility or even a drugstore.
Identify what kind of resources you use on a daily basis and what you might do if they are
limited or not available.
Build a Kit with your unique consideration in mind. What do you need to maintain your
health, safety and independence?
…. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing may need to make special arrangements to
receive emergency warnings.
People without vehicles may need to make arrangements for transportation.
People with special dietary needs should take precautions to have an adequate emergency
food supply.
Planning for a Loved One With a Disability
If you or someone close to you has a disability or other access or functional need, you may
have to take additional steps to protect yourself and your family.
Find out about individual assistance that may be available in your community. Register in
advance with the office of emergency services, the local fire department, other government
agencies or non-profit groups. Tell them of your individual needs or those of a family
member and find out what assistance, help or services can be provide.
Now is the time to plan ahead for what you may need to stay safe, healthy, informed, mobile
and independent during a disaster. Remember that a disaster may require sheltering at
home or evacuating to an emergency shelter or other form of temporary housing.
The Independence Newsletter
“It’s Our Story”
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Will sponsor an Emergency Preparedness Workshop to bring
awareness to the community on the importance of being ready in
case on an emergency.

Date: Thursday April 7, 2016

Place: The Kernersville Town Hall Meeting Room

Time: 6:30—8:30 pm
You will hear presentations from The Kernersville Fire
Department, Red Cross and Forsyth County Emergency
Management. Participates will be provide information from
FEMA and instructions on how to do your own emergency
preparedness plan. Other materials will be distributed that can
help save your life in a crisis situation.
If you are a person with a disability, have a member of a person
with a disability in your household, caregiver, family member or a
member of the community who wants to learn more about being
prepared, please plan to attend. Space is limited. Please RSVP to
Ron Day, Chair of the Kernersville Mayors Council for People
with Disabilities by Friday April 1, 2016 @ 336-693-9757
Special Thanks to: The Town of
Kernersville—Kernersville Fire Department—
Red Cross—Forsyth County Emergency
Management—The Adaptables Center For
Independent Living—The North Carolina
ADA Network
The Independence Newsletter
“It’s Our Story”
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Join us on the fourth Monday of each month from 1-4 PM for basic computer
training. Please call by the 10th of each month to sign up.
The Adaptables Center For Independent Living
3908 Westpoint Blvd. Suite B
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
336-767-7060
2016 Training Dates—April 25—May 23—June 27
Please follow our BLOGS on the website at www.theadaptables.com
2016
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May 30, 2016
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directly to theadaptables.com
Alternative Formats and Print Copy Available Upon Request
The Independence Newsletter
“It’s Our Story”
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