North Carolina Statewide Independent Living Council (NC SILC)

🎉 Happy New Year from NC SILC! 🎉 We’re kicking off 2026 with updates, resources, and upcoming events! Check out our January newsletter to see what’s ahead! https://conta.cc/4ptLOya

October marks Health Literacy Month — a time to reflect on how we communicate health information, and more importantly, how we ensure that people truly understand it. Health literacy is more than just reading a pamphlet or logging into a portal. It’s about making sure patients, families, and communities can use information to make decisions about their health. For those living with chronic conditions like type 1 diabetes, clear communication can mean the difference between thriving and feeling left behind. As someone who has lived with T1D since childhood and now works in clinical research and patient advocacy, I’ve seen how gaps in understanding can create barriers. I’ve also seen how plain language, culturally relevant resources, and trust can break those barriers down. This month, I’ll be sharing reflections on health literacy, patient advocacy, and spotlighting incredible voices who are shaping this work. Together, we can push for a healthcare system that communicates with patients, not at them. 👉 How do you define health literacy in your world — as a patient, caregiver, or professional? #EmpowerHealthVoices #VoicesForHealth #ShayForPatients

Thank you to everyone who joined yesterday’s webinar on Strengthening Transit Evacuation Plans! This session highlighted that preparedness is complex, especially when it comes to disability, and cannot be addressed with a single generic approach. Yet the discussion made clear that preparedness is possible. We hope you left with strategies and ideas for improving transit evacuation access and outcomes for people with disabilities in your communities. June Isaacson Kailes shared powerful insights liked the concept of learned helplessness and introduced the “4 Stages of Disaster Denial,” a concept developed by Eric Holdeman, Director of Emergency Management for Seattle’s King County. These stages from “It won’t happen here” to “There is nothing I could have done anyway” capture the mindsets that often delay action and remind us why proactive planning matters. A huge thank you to June Isaacson Kailes, The Partnership, and to everyone who participated for helping advance inclusive and effective transit evacuation planning. ID: A light gray background displays the title “4 Stages of Disaster Denial.” Four horizontal colored bars are numbered 1 through 4 and contain bold white text: 1. Blue bar: “It won’t happen here. ”2. Red bar: “Even if it happens here, it won’t happen to me.” 3. Yellow bar: “Even if it happens to me, it won’t be that bad.” 4. Gray bar: “Even if it’s that bad, there is nothing I could have done about it anyway.”

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and older adults and people with disabilities are among those at greatest risk. Learn how ACL's aging and disability networks play an important role in prevention: https://lnkd.in/enMy6Hg5 #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #SuicidePreventionMonth

Save the Date: NC SILC Employment Showcase: September 10, 2025 NC SILC is hosting a virtual Employment Showcase for people with disabilities on Tuesday, September 10, 2025. The event will feature a virtual job fair and employment presentations covering internships, benefits counseling, and best hiring practices. This is a great opportunity to connect with employers and gain valuable insights into the employment process. Learn more about the Employment Showcase at www.nc-silc.org or email ncsilcpolicy@nc-silc.org. IMAGE: Save the Date graphic for NC SILC’s Employment Showcase for people with disabilities on September 10th. Highlights include a virtual job fair, employment presentations, internships, benefits counseling, and best hiring practices. The graphic features a photo of a smiling woman using a wheelchair in a professional office setting. #hireme #employment #jobsearch #jobopportunities #internship #NCSILC #Competetiveintegratedemployment #CIE #FairWages #DisabilityAwareness

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans for North Carolina small businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by Tropical Depression flooding and tornadoes occurring July 6-13, 2025.

Fighting for Civil and Disability Rights: Strategies to Overcome Barriers Tuesday, September 2nd, 12:00 PM ET - 1:00 PM ET The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center invites you to participate in the webinar series “The Human Experience of Black People with Disabilities and Their Rights Under the ADA,” which reports on our research study about how Black individuals with disabilities access information and exercise their rights under the ADA. For Black individuals with disabilities, systemic barriers can present unique challenges in securing equal opportunities and exercising fundamental rights. This webinar will delve into the legal landscape of civil and disability rights, highlighting key legislation and protections. We will explore common barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, including discrimination, inaccessible environments, and lack of inclusive policies. Participants will learn advocacy strategies to overcome these obstacles, ranging from self-advocacy and community organizing to legal recourse and policy engagement. Learn more about this free webinar here: https://lnkd.in/gvE3rzWQ Registration is required. #ADA #Disability #DisabilityRights