Disability Rights Maine

04/30/2026

Visual Gestural Communication (VGC) Workshop
May 18th, 9:00 am - 12:00pm.
Caribou District Office
30 Skyway Drive, Unit 100

Visual Gestural Communication (VGC) is useful to many people who need an alternative technique for expressing and understanding the wants and needs of other people in their environment. VGC is a communication mode that uses gestures, facial expressions, and body language. Often individuals, who cannot communicate effectively using either a spoken language like English or a formal signed language like ASL, will be able to communicate more effectively using natural gestures. In our classes, we help you to think visually and conceptually, and to use Visual Gestural Communication to communicate more effectively with people who have limited formal language.

This month’s VGC training will take place in Caribou.

Register for the May 18th training (Caribou) at https://tinyurl.com/vgc0526

04/27/2026

Less Talk More Action: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources in Aroostook County

Mobius Incorporated, Disability Rights Maine Deaf Services, MaineHealth Behavioral Health, and the Maine Department of Labor Division of Vocational Rehabilitation present "Less Talk More Action: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources" in Aroostook County on May 18th and 19th. This free event will take place at the Sargent Family Community Center at 24 Chapman Road, Presque Isle, ME 04736.

This event is for everyone! Deaf and Hard of Hearing people, families, supporters, service providers, educators, and more. All are welcome.

This is a FREE event! Have questions or want to RSVP? Contact:
Sitara: sitara.n.sheikh@maine.gov
Paula: pmatlins@mobiusinc.org

Schedule and more info at https://drme.org/event/less-talk-more-action-2026/

04/24/2026

Next Wednesday 4/29 at 6:30 PM is the American Association of People with Disabilities’ National Community Event! This annual, virtual event brings together our national community of disabled people and allies to celebrate our hard-won progress, celebrate disability culture, and take action together to protect disability rights.

This year’s program will include a timely and important dispatch from disabled grassroots activists fighting for voting access for the disability community nationwide. The panel session will be hosted by REV UP (Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power!).

REV UP is a nonpartisan campaign on a mission to build the power of the disability vote through increasing civic engagement in the disability community and improving the accessibility of elections.

This panel will feature two leaders in the REV UP community who will talk about REV UP’s work, the power of the disability vote in 2026, and how you can get involved in the fight for a more accessible democracy.

Come hear from:
- Rasheta Bunting, President and Founder of One Heart, One Vision, Vice President of the National Federation of the Blind of New York State, co-lead of REV UP NY.
- Laura Power, REV UP coordinator for REV UP Pennsylvania.

Tickets for this event are free and open to everyone. Register at https://tinyurl.com/aapd2026

04/24/2026

Date: May 19, 2026Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET Program Description Everyone benefits from content that is easy to use and understand. Making a great document is more than just typing the correct words. To make sure your information can reach the largest number of people, the document needs to be acces...

04/24/2026

Children’s Behavioral Health Services wants to hear from you!

As part of a statewide effort to improve how Maine’s children and families learn about, understand, and access behavioral health services and supports, the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) is launching a public education campaign. The campaign will help to establish a statewide communications system to generate awareness, educate and inform, and connect children and families to the right behavioral health services and supports. As a valued stakeholder, we invite you to take this opportunity to share your insight.

The survey is designed to better understand your experiences, challenges, and recommendations regarding how the Department currently communicates with families, providers, and partners.

It will also help to identify gaps, and guide improvement for future outreach efforts.

Your insight will help shape how the Department effectively helps children, families, and all providers of children’s behavioral health services understand and navigate system enhancements across multiple channels.

This short survey will take approximately 3 minutes to compete. All responses are anonymous and kept confidential.

To participate, please click on the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HGHJJZV

04/23/2026

Disability Rights Maine has two opportunities for artists and crafters to showcase their work at Disability Pride!

1. submit a design for the 2026 t-shirt
2. submit an application for a craft vendor space

Deadline for both is 5/29/26.

Information on how to submit a design or a craft vendor application can be found at: https://drme.org/event/disability-pride-2026/

Questions? Contact jendicott@drme.org

04/22/2026

The President’s FY 2027 budget proposes cuts that would seriously harm people with disabilities and the systems that protect their rights.

The Protection & Advocacy Network exists to prevent abuse, ensure access, and support community living. Funding cuts to our network members would cause real harm to the disability community.

Read our full statement here:
https://www.ndrn.org/resource/fy27budgetcuts/

04/16/2026

The People of Hope Museum is coming to Portland, Maine on April 24 & 25 as part of its cross‑country journey!

NCR's Michael J. O'Loughlin asks: Can hopeful stories be an antidote to the perpetual outrage machine that seems to fuel modern life in the United States?

04/10/2026

04/08/2026

Spark dance program will be offering a community dance class next week with new teachers that will include ASL interpretation!

The class that has an interpreter will be Friday, April 17 at 10:30-12pm. All four classes are open to the public.

The venue in Brunswick is completely accessible with an elevator.

The class is by donation, and we turn no one away for lack of funds. This will be a great chance for people to come and try out a class and meet new crew of teachers.

Email sparkdanceprogram@gmail.com for more information.

Join us for DanceAbility Community Classes at

April 17 & 18

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
2:00 - 3:30 PM

The DanceAbility Method invites people of all bodies and abilities to experience dance together. Through improvisation, we dissolve barriers, connect, and explore movement in community.

Come meet our amazing new teachers and join us in an inclusive, welcoming space.

Suggested donation: $15
No one turned away for lack of funds
All ages welcome

Register now through the link in bio 💫

04/08/2026

Send a message to learn more

04/08/2026

Save the Date for Disability Pride!

July 17, 2026
11am - 2pm at Mill Park in Augusta

Check out the event website for more information!
https://drme.org/event/disability-pride-2026/