By Khalen Wright, NACDD Intern
Have you ever stopped to think about how much power one vote really has?
I know I have.
For a long time, I didn’t fully understand how much voting could impact my life as a person with a disability. Now I realize that voting isn’t just about Election Day—it’s about having a voice in decisions that affect our everyday lives.
When we vote, we’re helping choose leaders who make decisions about healthcare, education, jobs, transportation, housing, and disability services. Those aren’t just topics we hear about on the news. They’re things that affect where we live, how we work, and how independently we can live our lives.
That’s why voting matters.
Learning to Find My Voice
When people ask me what disability advocacy means, I always come back to one thing: using your voice.
To me, advocacy means speaking up for yourself, knowing your rights, asking questions, and helping others understand what people with disabilities need.
But I’ll be honest…
That didn’t happen overnight.
The person who first taught me how to advocate for myself was my mom.
As a single parent, she couldn’t always be at school, in the community, or at work with me. She knew she couldn’t be everywhere, so she taught me something much more valuable—how to speak up for myself.
She encouraged me to ask questions, explain what I needed, and not be afraid to use my voice.
Was it easy?
Not at all.
In fact, I’m still learning.
There are still moments when I have to remind myself that it’s okay to ask for accommodations or explain what support I need. But every time I do, I become a little more confident than I was before.
Looking back, I realize my mom wasn’t just teaching me independence.
She was teaching me confidence.
Where My Voting Journey Began
My journey as a voter actually began long before I was old enough to cast a ballot.
Growing up, my grandmother would take my brother and me with her whenever she went to vote. I remember watching her proudly participate in the voting process. At the time, I didn’t fully understand everything that was happening, but I knew it was important to her. Looking back, I realize she was teaching us by example. She showed us that voting wasn’t just a right—it was a responsibility.
When I turned 18 years old, I already knew what my responsibility was as a voting citizen.
I was also fortunate to have an amazing high school Government teacher who believed in the importance of civic engagement. He helped all of his 18-year-old students register to vote, making sure we understood not only how to register but why our voices mattered.
After we registered, he took our class to our local polling place so we could experience voting for the very first time. I’ll never forget casting my first ballot. It made me feel like my voice truly mattered and that I was contributing to something bigger than myself.
Looking back now, I realize how much those experiences shaped me. My grandmother showed me the importance of voting, and my teacher helped me take that first step. Together, they helped build the foundation for the advocate I continue to become today.
We All Need Support
Something else I’ve learned is that being independent doesn’t mean doing everything alone.
I have an amazing support system.
My job coach, my Personal Care Attendant (PCA), my mentor, and my family have all encouraged me to keep believing in myself, work hard, and continue chasing my goals.
Because of community supports, I’ve had opportunities I never imagined.
Right now, I’m completing an internship with a national disability advocacy organization, and every day I’m learning more about leadership, advocacy, and making a difference.
These experiences have shown me that disability advocacy isn’t just something I believe in—it’s something I get to live every day. Working alongside people who are passionate about creating a more inclusive world has opened my eyes to how important it is for people with disabilities to have a seat at the table and a voice in the decisions that affect our lives.
I believe every person with a disability deserves access to resources, community services, and caring professionals who believe in their potential. Sometimes the right support can completely change someone’s future.
Why Voting Matters So Much
The more I’ve learned about advocacy, the more I’ve realized something important.
The decisions made by our government affect nearly every part of life for people with disabilities.
They affect housing.
Healthcare.
Employment.
Transportation.
Community living.
Education.
Accessibility.
That’s why it’s so important for us to pay attention, stay informed, and use our voices.
Recently, I learned about discussions involving the United States Department of Justice that have raised concerns for many disability advocates about community living and disability rights.
It reminded me that policies aren’t just words on paper.
They affect real people.
People like me.
People like you.
That’s another reason I believe our voices—and our votes—matter so much.
Serving Others Has Changed Me
One of the greatest blessings in my life has been working for a disability advocacy organization. It has been both exciting and eye-opening. Every day I learn something new about disability rights, leadership, and the importance of making sure people with disabilities are included in conversations where decisions are being made.
I’ve also had the privilege of working for my local county election board for the past four years, and that experience has been incredibly rewarding.
One of my favorite responsibilities is helping voters with disabilities through curbside voting. I enjoy helping people understand that their vote counts and that their voice truly matters.
There’s something special about seeing someone successfully cast their ballot because they had the support they needed. Every time it happens, I’m reminded that voting isn’t just a right—it’s empowerment.
A Dream I Never Expected
One of the most unforgettable experiences during my internship has been attending government hearings on Capitol Hill.
Honestly…
I’m still in shock.
For years, visiting Capitol Hill was something I only dreamed about.
Now I’ve had the opportunity to sit in those hearing rooms, listen to important conversations, and witness firsthand how disability policy is discussed at the national level.
Those experiences have inspired me even more to continue learning, growing, and advocating for my community. They remind me that change begins when people are willing to get involved.
Know Your Rights
One thing I want every person with a disability to know is this:
You have the right to vote.
You have the right to vote privately and independently.
Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) help ensure polling places are accessible and that accommodations are available when needed.
You also have the right to accessible voter registration, accessible voting equipment, effective communication, vote-by-mail options where available, and reasonable accommodations throughout the voting process.
If you need assistance voting, you can choose someone you trust to help you, as long as they aren’t your employer or union representative.
Your voice deserves to be heard.
One Final Thought
If there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s this:
Having a disability doesn’t limit your ability to make a difference.
My mom taught me to use my voice.
My grandmother taught me the importance of voting.
My high school Government teacher helped me become a voter.
My mentors, job coach, PCA, family, and community have continued to encourage me every step of the way.
Those lessons have led me to opportunities I never imagined—from serving voters with disabilities at my local election board to interning with a national disability advocacy organization and even walking the halls of Capitol Hill.
None of that happened overnight.
It happened one lesson, one opportunity, one conversation, and one vote at a time.
So if you’re reading this and wondering whether your voice matters…
It does.
If you’re wondering whether your vote matters…
It absolutely does.
When people with disabilities speak up, vote, and get involved, we help shape a future where everyone has the opportunity to be heard, included, and valued.
Your experiences matter. Your story matters. Your voice matters.
And when Election Day comes, remember this: together, we can make a difference.
Your VOTE matters too!
