Disability Rights Maine

07/11/2025

Media representation is so important in the disability community. Another way to celebrate during Disability Pride Month is by checking out some of the books, movies, and shows that talk about disability.

We will provide some recommendations throughout the month. Our first recommendation is a documentary called Crip Camp.

Slide 2: Crip Camp is a documentary on Netflix about a summer camp for kids with disabilities in the 1960s. The individuals who went to this camp together went on to start the disability rights movement. The film follows the Independent Living Movement and the fight for Section 504.

07/10/2025

Help DRM Learn More About YOUR Work

We Want to Learn from YOU! Help us understand what’s working, and what’s not, when it comes to employment for people with disabilities in Maine.

Take our survey if you:

-Are 18-65 years old
-Live in Maine
-Identify as having a disability, chronic illness, or experience barriers to work because of disability

We want to learn about:

-Your experiences with work, school, and job supports
-Whether government programs meet your needs
-Barriers you’ve faced and what would help
-Your goals and what gives you purpose

You do not have to be working or using disability services to take part. Your answers are private. No names or personal info will be shared.

Complete the survey at the link in our bio!

Deadline to respond: 8/6/25
Questions? Contact: Libby Riggs at lriggs@drme.org

07/09/2025

To increase access to DRM’s Disability Pride programming, we are offering three virtual webinars this July!

Join us for:

*Disability Rights Movement History with DRM's Kim Moody and Michelle Ames on July 28th from 5pm - 6pm

*A Self-Advocacy Panel with Jozie Easler, Noah Carver, and Kerri Pitts on July 29th from 3pm - 4pm

*The ADA at 35: The Future of the Disability Rights Movement with the Executive Director of the National Disability Rights Network, Marlene Sallo, on July 30th from 12pm - 1pm.

DRM will also be live-streaming the speakers at our in-person Disability Pride event on July 18th at noon.

Questions? Contact Julia Endicott at jendicott@drme.org

Register at: https://drme.org/event/disability-pride-2025/

07/08/2025

“Mainers with disabilities already struggle to get the care they need to survive, let alone thrive, in their communities. The horrific reality of this legislation is that the poorest and most disadvantaged in our state will suffer devastating cuts to benefit the wealthiest taxpayers who need the least help,” stated Executive Director Kim Moody.

Read the full statement: https://drme.org/statement-disability-rights-maine-condemns-passage-of-reconciliation-bill/

07/07/2025

National Disability Rights Network condemns passage of Federal budget bill and deep cuts to Medicaid. Read our statement here:

https://ow.ly/TO0t50Wlofp

07/03/2025

Take DRM's Community Survey!

Tell Disability Rights Maine (DRM) what you think! We use your answers to help us understand the disability community’s needs to shape our goals and priorities for next year.

Every day we fight to create a world where everyone benefits from the inclusion of people who experience a disability. We act to change Maine’s schools, workplaces, businesses and public spaces to ensure that people with disabilities are empowered in their choices. We need your input to help direct our work!

If you need an alternative format of this survey, please contact us at 207-626-2774, 207-766-7111 (VP) or 800-452-1948 or advocate@drme.org.

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DRMPriorities

07/02/2025

Reminder! DRM is hosting our annual disability pride event on July 18th at Mill Park in Augusta from 11am to 2pm. There will be speakers, resources, art, music, and dancing. Come celebrate the ADA’s 35th anniversary and join in community!

Not able to make it in person? DRM will be live-streaming the speaker portion of the event and will be hosting several virtual webinars about disability rights later in July. Visit https://drme.org/event/disability-pride-2025/ for more information

07/01/2025

Slide 1: July is Disability Pride Month. So, why do we celebrate disability pride and what is the significance of the month of July?

Slide 2: Because...July 26th marks the anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA was passed in 1990 as an anti-discrimination law that protects the rights of people with disabilities from everything from employment rights to accessibility. Fun fact, the disability community created a disability pride flag in 2019 and continues to modify it!

Slide 3: How to Celebrate: This month is meant to empower disabled people and bring the disability community together. During Disability Pride Month, consider sharing your story on social media using or . Other ways to celebrate this month include:
-Checking out social media from disabled creators
-Attending a Disability Pride event, like the one DRM is hosting on July 18th!

06/26/2025

The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Disability Rights Maine (DRM), the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council, and Speaking Up For Us are partnering for a video project!

We’re inviting people with disabilities and family members to submit short videos sharing why being part of their community matters. This project is intended to highlight the perspectives of disabled people across Maine and bring attention to important issues impacting the disability community.

Anyone with any disability and family members are invited to participate!

For more information, visit: https://drme.org/we-are-here-video-project/

Questions? Contact jendicott@drme.org or 207-626-2774 ext 212.

06/24/2025

It’s going to be dangerously warm tomorrow. Check for local cooling centers in your region!

06/13/2025

Yesterday, Governor Mills signed into law a landmark bill that will eliminate the planned use of restraints for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism.

As DRM Managing Attorney Staci Converse noted, “It’s just a huge civil rights victory for people with developmental disabilities in Maine, probably one of the biggest that I've ever seen."

Read more:

Advocates say the bill is a “civil rights victory” for people with disabilities in Maine.

06/10/2025