SPOKANE, Wash. — Local organizations and activists are raising awareness about the importance of the disabled community’s vote.
This week is Disability Voting Rights Week and on Thursday, The Arc of Spokane and At Work are hosting “Rock the Disability” to educate people with disabilities about their right to vote.
According to Arc of Spokane, the disability vote is the largest minority voting bloc in the United States.
The event will feature allow the community to gather and hear from self-advocates, get some swag and register to vote.
John Lemus is an advocate for people with disabilities. He said he hopes the event helps people understand their voting power.
“It is really important for people to exercise their right to vote, especially people with disabilities because a lot of decisions that elected officials make impact the lives of people with disabilities, whether it’s money that is available for social services, or funds that are available for people to find work, those are really important pieces that, at one point, a person with a disability may end up needing,” said Lemus.
Last year, Lemus helped advocate for the “Nothing About Us Without Us” bill, which requires people with the lived experience or disability being discussed to be present at the table when related policy changes are being made.
“You retain your right to vote, you should vote, and other people should not vote for you and you should get the support you need in order to vote,” said Lemus.
For more information on Rock the Disability Vote, email advocacy@arc-spokane.org or call 509-789-8321.
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