Local Advocacy Councils
Within a cooperative effort, Disability Rights & Resources has partnered with action councils from four county-affiliated groups to assist in meeting the needs of its consumers.
Of course, if one of these does not meet your needs, we will be happy to find one that does. Just let us know.
Cabarrus County
Cabarrus County has a system to notify citizens of alerts and information. Please go to http://cabarruscountync.bbcportal.com/ where you can register. Alerts, along with shelter information when needed, will also be posted on the county website at https://cabarruscounty.us and on local TV channel 22.
Cabarrus Accessibility Action Council (CAAC)
Purpose
The Cabarrus Accessibility Action Council advises Cabarrus County and all its municipalities on ways to provide more inclusive programs, facilities, and services to citizens with disabilities.
Meeting Dates and Times
Meetings are quarterly (January, April, July & October) from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. The exact schedule is being worked out.
Meetings are scheduled on the third Friday month of every quarter (January, April, July & October) from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. If schools in Cabarrus County are closed for unplanned reasons on the day of a meeting, it will be rescheduled.
Meeting Location
The meeting location is in the Multipurpose Room on the 2nd floor of the Government Center: 65 Church St. SE; Concord, NC 28025.
How to Join
The meetings are open to the public. If you attend a meeting and wish to become a voting member, contact the chair at 704-537-0550 or email juliasain@disability-rights.org.
Accessibility
The meetings are held in accessible locations. If you require effective communication, we would appreciate a 72-hour notice.
Participating Government Entities
Cabarrus County
Cabarrus County Schools
Kannapolis
Concord
Gaston County
Free alerts by cell phone text or e-mail are available by going to http://www.gastongov.com/departments/emergency-management and clicking on Nixle to sign up.
Gaston Advocacy Council for People with Disabilities (GACPD)
Purpose
The Gaston Advocacy Council advises Gaston County and all its municipalities on ways to provide more inclusive programs, facilities, and services to citizens with disabilities.
Meeting Dates and Times
Meetings are scheduled on the second Wednesday of the second month of every quarter (February, May, August & November) from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. If schools in Gaston County are closed for unplanned reasons on the day of a meeting, it will be rescheduled.
Meeting Location
The meetings are usually held at the Gaston County Administration Building, Conference Room 3A, 128 W. Main Ave., Gastonia, N.C.
How to Join
The meetings are open to the public. If you attend a meeting and wish to become a voting member, contact the chair at 704-537-0550 or email juliasain@disability-rights.org.
Accessibility
The meetings are held in accessible locations. If you require effective communication, we would appreciate a 72-hour notice.
Participating Government Entities
City of Gastonia
Gaston County
Gaston County Public School System
Mecklenburg County
Residents of Mecklenburg County can sign up to get alerts by text or e-mail by going to http://www.charmeckem.net/ and clicking on Charmeck Alerts Notification System. Then click on Register for Charmeck Alerts.
Mecklenburg Advocacy Council for People with Disabilities (MACPD)
Purpose
The Mecklenburg Advocacy Council works to ensure that all government programs within Mecklenburg County honor the civil rights of people with disabilities.
Meeting Dates and Times
Meetings are scheduled on the second Thursday of each month from 10:00 AM – NOON. If Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools are closed for unplanned reasons on the day of a meeting, it will be cancelled.
Meeting Location
The meetings are usually held at 5501 Executive Center Dr., Conference Room 104, Charlotte, N.C. 28212.
How to Join
The meetings are open to the public. If you attend a meeting and wish to become a voting member, contact the chair at 704-537-0550 or email juliasain@disability-rights.org.
Accessibility
The meetings are held in accessible locations. If you require effective communication, we would appreciate a 72-hour notice.
Participating Government Entities
City of Charlotte
Mecklenburg County
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
Trial Court Administrator’s Office
Central Piedmont Community College
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Town of Mint Hill
Union County
You can sign up for free alerts to be sent to your cell phone by text or to e-mail by going to http://co.union.nc.us. Scroll down and click on CODE RED. Also, there is a special need registry form which you can fill out by going to http://co.union.nc.us/Divisions/EmergencyManagement.aspx. Under Resources, click on Special Needs Registry.
Union County Council for Citizens with Disabilities (UCCCD)
Purpose
The Union County Council for Citizens with Disabilities works to ensure that all government programs within Union County honor the civil rights of people with disabilities.
Meeting Dates and Times
Meetings are scheduled on the second Wednesday of the third month of every quarter (March, June, September & December) from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. If schools in Union County are closed for unplanned reasons on the day of a meeting, it will be rescheduled.
Meeting Location
The meeting will be held in room 220 at the Professional Development Center of the Union County Public Schools: 721 Brewer Dr., Monroe, NC 28112
How to Join
The meetings are open to the public. If you attend a meeting and wish to become a voting member, contact the chair at 704-537-0550 or email juliasain@disability-rights.org.
Accessibility
The meetings are held in accessible locations. If you require effective communication, we would appreciate a 72-hour notice.
State & National Disability Organizations
The Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL)
APRIL is a national grass roots, consumer controlled, non-profit membership organization consisting of centers for independent living, their satellites and branch offices, statewide independent living councils, other organizations, and individuals concerned with the independent living issues of people with disabilities living in rural America.
http://www.april-rural.org/index.php
The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
NCIL, a membership organization, advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities through consumer-driven advocacy. It envisions a world in which people with disabilities are valued equally and participate fully.
The North Carolina Statewide Independent Living Council (NCSILC)
NCSILC is a federally-mandated, not-for-profit, governor-appointed council. A majority of council members must be people with a disability.
By federal law, SILC is charged with:
- Developing a state plan addressing the provision of statewide independent living services (SPIL).
- Developing and supporting a statewide network of Centers for Independent Living (CILs).
- Monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the implementation of the state plan (SPIL).
Other Important Links:
ReadyNC.org
…is a website managed by the NC Department of Public Safety – Emergency Management. It has been designed to assist members of the public in the event of a disaster, providing directions on how to prepare for, survive, and recover from an emergency situation.
http://readync.org/EN/index.html
SSA.gov
…is the Official Social Security Website. Available information includes:
- my Social Security, where you can login and check out your Social Security statement, change your address, and manage your benefits.
- Online services, where you can apply for benefits.
- Retirement Estimator, calculate your benefits based on your actual Social Security earnings.