Your vote and every vote count! People with disabilities have been underrepresented in the past. Evan Murray of Democracy Maine interviewed four disability voters who are strong self-advocates. Self-advocates speak up their needs and rights. Learn why casting a ballot gives your voice and every voice power!

Dakota describes how his cats enrich his life, comfort him, and make him happy.

A mother shares the horrifying, yet all-too common story about how the medical community discriminates against patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the lasting effects that has had on her son.

Reactions to vaccines do indeed occur but are extremely rare. This video is not designed to suggest vaccines are not a good idea, only to suggest that the system needs to be more responsive to people facing any type of issues at any time, for any reason, and the video provides a good example why responsiveness is important.

Alyssa describes her dreams of being a performer and how she is overcoming barriers within the disability world to work towards achieving her goals.

Charmaine raised Jake not knowing the impact his disability would have on his life. She reflects back on her insights. Jake weighs in with his.

How some people can't see members of a marginalized population, but others can.

Anna has been speaking up for herself her entire life. She also uses her voice to advocate for all people with disabilities and to share her passions: art, athletics, and writing. Hear her describe in her own words how she came to be the strong self-advocate she is today.

What are is your passion? What activities do you like to do?

Nine members of Speaking Up For Us (SUFU)—a self-advocacy organization run by and for adults living with developmental disabilities—video-recorded their answers to these questions at their 2022 annual conference in Caribou, Maine. They are Rose Belanger, Regina Bowie, Reegan Boynton, Josie Easler, Joshua Lezotte, Eric McVay, Tabitha Shaw, MaryAnn Swank, and Rena Young.

They chose to record their thoughts as part of a session called “Chasing Your Dreams,” presented by Anna McDougal and her colleagues at Community Connect Maine. At the workshop, Anna presented a video describing her dreams and how she accomplished them. She then invited conference participants to share their dreams and successes and the barriers they’ve faced, which led to a rich discussion.

Along with Anna McDougal, the workshop was created by Lisa Wesel and Kim Humphrey from Community Connect Maine, with financial support from Maine Developmental Disabilities Council.

Dan is like many people with autism and other disabilities. Finding the right support is easier than one might imagine if policymakers would practice just this one thing.

Trauma can be a difficult topic for people to discuss. Because of the many societal barriers, it is even more difficult for people like Margaret Cardoza, who lives with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). People living with trauma and IDD are just beginning to have these conversations in Maine. Margaret hopes that sharing her own story will empower people so that they, too, can identify one person who they can pour their heart out to and begin the healing process.

Jake's story as shared by his mother, Maggie, leads to a deeper understanding of the benefit and importance of every state having self-directed services.

A story about how one person's understanding of the cultural challenges of raising a child with special healthcare needs has changed the lives of many.

Alan never saw Jay on his first day as a student teacher in a high school special ed program, but he heard Jay as he was observed through a peep hole. How did their relationship develop and what did Alan discover that would be relevant for all of us to know?

Having a living situation that works is essential to all of us. Cathy Chafin, a woman with autism, found hers. But it was a bumpy road before she finally found peace. Her mother, Darla, shares her story.

This digital letter-- a gift to Clare from her mother, Rebecca--highlights Clare's journey to her official launch as a STRIVE U. graduate. Congratulations, Clare!