Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Growing up with a learning disability and ADD gave me firsthand experience with the importance of patience, understanding, and accommodation. Over time, I was able to overcome my educational challenges and transition into the workforce. My two friendships with individuals on the autism spectrum, along with childhood experiences witnessing both inclusion and exclusion, have deepened my commitment to treating people with dignity and respect regardless of how they start out in life.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

UNSURE

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

UNSURE

Although I personally support "trauma-informed systems of physical and mental health care" for my own local community, I do not believe it is the role of state or federal government to impose this on every community, because community is far smaller and more numerous than you suggest with your word choice, even in the age of internet. I do as a member of my local community, nevertheless, wish for problems to be caught early and for support to continue over time, when relevant.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

Note that Libertarians like myself struggle to find circumstances in which a government ought to be doing something, yet this vision for NC education is delightful and easy to agree with. The only thing I will caution against is the idea that public schools, adjusted yearly for inflation, lack the funding they need, given the year-over-year reduction of quantity of students enrolled. Furthermore, I believe K-12 alternatives have potential to meet the unique needs of disabled children and their families.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

UNSURE

I support ADA, Section 504, but I worry IDEA overrides local preference too much (which I might decide to support IDEA some day as I need time to think on it) but I see voting as a privilege and a system implementation rather than as a right. Certainly, many disabled people ought to have the privilege of voting at least for some offices and some referendums and some bonds. I would support that for my local government and perhaps even state government but not federal government.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

DECLINE TO ANSWER

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

I desire to always be listening to this cohort! I wish to be a good listener to all constituents but this cohort perhaps more than most. Your perspective matter dearly to me. Please think of me as an ally.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

I believe there is a difference between right to access an essential service (like a hotel or a grocery store) versus artistic expression commercialized (such as a performing artist with audience participation limiting who may be a customer).

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

DECLINE TO ANSWER

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

UNSURE

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Targeting these needs directly seems like a wise budgeting choice.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

A colleague in the Pender Democratic Women's Organization has an autistic son, aged 29, who lives at home.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

A disability does not disqualify an individual from ownership of their rights and abilities to lead a productive life.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Yes, to the fullest extent of the legislation referenced above, or other legislation that continues to remove barriers to such activities.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

I once met and discussed such actions with the National Center for the Blind in Washington, DC Executive Director, who himself was legally blind.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Yes, there are a number of programs and projects in NC that effectively cure homelessness, and which can serve as models for future inclusion as needs demand.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

As in ACA, we need to focus on routine inspection, monitoring, and preventative care for all citizens, rather than continue to invest in Mega-Health System reimbursement once someone is diagnosed with a critical illness.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

Our current administration, especially the DOJ, is a mockery of the rule of law.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

UNSURE

I am not sure what you are asking. My aunt lives in a normal brick house in a neighborhood with 4 other disabled ladies. They have at a minimum 2 caretakers at all time. This is through Skill Creations. This is where my grandmother and our whole family wants her not in an institution. They go out to eat and go shopping and attend events. We call it the sorority house. This is what I believe in. This is her home and she loves it.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Yes, I personally know and have worked with individuals who have disabilities that ranged from PTSD to depression and anxiety to employees with speech and physical disabilities. Oftentimes, these individuals can thrive in work environments and excel with proper care/engagement and support. As a robotics coach, I have directly mentored/coached high school students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPS) and led them to the State Finals in FIRST Robotics.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

People with developmental disabilities deserve the same right to choose how and where they live as anyone else. I'll support the funding and oversight that make real community-based choice possible.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

I have passed numerous bills to increase IDD Innovation Waiver slots, Increased funding for direct service providers (DSP), a member of the IDD Caucus, I have been named legislator of the year for MARC, I have also gotten funding for the special Olympics and have gotten the legislator of the year award for the special Olympics.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

I participate in and support the Fragile X bowling community. I am very active and hands on with the autism organizations. I also participate in the special Olympics.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

I have been a sponsor and a support of Johnston County Industries and has gotten financial resources for them since being in the legislature. I have also worked extensively with the MARC organization. I have also been actively involved with the Division of Vocational Rehab within DHHS. I have also received the Johnston County Industries legislative champion award.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

I have been a very strong advocate for the My Forever Home agency and will be participating in their opening dedication for homes in Johnston County and intends to grow that throughout the state. I have also been a strong supporter of the Innovation Waivers and expanding them to cover more people.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

I have had several meetings with an organization out of UNC and DHHS to address these issues with the IDD population and am currently working on a bill for this.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

As a previous board of education member, I worked with the school system and continue to work with the school system to ensure that people with disabilities have equal rights and get quality education in their schools.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

As a former school board member, I was involved with creating the educational program for special needs students.

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

Absolutely

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

I meet with the IDD Community in my office on a regular basis with the recipient of services, parents and lobbyists to make sure that they have a seat at the table for policy making.

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

I not only wait for them to come to me, but I go and attend their events like the special Olympics and community bowling.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

We have regular legislative oversight committee meetings for DHHS. We need to intensify our corrective actions when we find problems within the department.

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

I have been a member of the Olmstead Committee within DHHS for over half my tenure in the House, we have done great work and this federal action is concerning and I will continue to monitor it.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

I worked for DHHS prior to coming to the House.

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

yes

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Why wouldnt one?

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

This is basic nuclear support.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

My ink pen of choice is a Skillcraft! I give them away to people and tell them about the facility.
🙂

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

If you have a job you need a place to stay! (Universal Housing now.!)

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

Trauma and drama are not the same thing. They need clear demarcation.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

My Responsibility as an American from North Carolina.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

This seems a basic necessity?

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

After fear, hate is mans greatest weakness.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

I recommend folks with disabilities Run for Office at every level in '28! If I do not win House Seat 28 I will run again in '28!

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Clearly you have my ear.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Love Budgets! They are key to Management!

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

Authority is currently employed to quell the divergent. It is not leadership, its fear.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

Yes

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

HR1 is blood money.

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Universal Healthcare Now! Idk how. But Hillary Clinton can tell ya!

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

My fundamental goal as a political leader is to make North Carolina a place where everyone can thrive in their local community. People with developmental disabilities should have meaningful control over their own lives, including where they live and the support they receive. I support funding home and community-based services, strengthening the workforce that provides those supports, and oversight to ensure services actually reach the people who need them. People with disabilities must have a meaningful voice in shaping these policies as well.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Yes, similar to the above, every child should have opportunities to make friends, explore their interests, and participate in community life. I support funding the services, accommodations, and trained staff that make childcare, after-school programs, parks, and camps accessible for all. Children with disabilities and their families should have a meaningful say in the activities they pursue and the support they need.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Public job-training programs should help people with developmental disabilities find and keep meaningful, fairly paid work that reflects their interests and goals, including starting a business. I support funding individualized training, job coaching, and ongoing support when needed, along with partnerships with employers. Oversight should examine whether participants secure lasting employment, earn fair wages, and are satisfied with the opportunities and support they receive.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

People with developmental disabilities should have affordable, accessible housing and meaningful choices about where and with whom they live. I support expanding housing options throughout our communities, alongside the services and transportation that make those options practical. We have tremendous work across the board to do on affordable housing, and our work in that area should be inclusive of people with developmental disabilities.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

I support affordable, accessible physical and mental health care in the community, with meaningful provider choice and consistent support over time. Early intervention can improve patients’ health and quality of life while preventing avoidable crises and reducing the need for expensive emergency care or hospitalization. Investing in timely care helps keep health care more affordable for everyone. That care should be coordinated and trauma-informed, respecting each person’s experiences, communication needs, and autonomy, with providers they trust.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

Every student deserves a well-funded public school where they belong and receive the support they need to learn. I support investing in special education teachers, specialists, and classroom supports that make meaningful inclusion possible. Schools must respect students’ rights, follow individualized education plans, and involve students and parents in decisions--and all of that requires adequate funding to make it possible.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Yes, and please see my answer above.

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

I believe that rights must be enforcable in practice, meaning that we must defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws. Defending those rights means both funding and enforcement, and they translate to accessible voting, equal access to education and public services, and respect for each person’s autonomy. I support helping people understand their options and make their own decisions, with assistance they choose, while protecting them from abuse, coercion, and discrimination.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

People with developmental disabilities and their families should help set priorities, develop proposals, and evaluate whether policies are working. I support meaningful representation on boards and advisory groups across policy areas, accessible meetings and materials, and remote participation so people throughout North Carolina can contribute. In my own work, I will seek input early, listen directly to people with disabilities, and explain how their input shaped the decisions made.

More broadly, public participation is a major goal of mine for legislative work in general. The General Assembly is failing its obligation to involve the public, with rewritten bills dropped on us at the last second and with no public hearings. That's a practice we need to end.

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Yes, very much so, and please see my answer above.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Accountability includes the General Assembly’s responsibility to fund the services it expects agencies to deliver. Budget cuts have created real challenges for schools, providers, and the people who depend on them. I will work to reverse harmful cuts and secure stable, adequate funding. I also support clear expectations, transparent reporting, and meaningful oversight of DHHS, DPI, and other entities, with people with disabilities and their families helping assess whether services are accessible, effective, and respectful of their rights.

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

I support Olmstead’s principle that people with disabilities should receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs, regardless of changes in federal enforcement priorities. Implementing that principle requires attention to each person’s choices, individual care needs, and reliable supports. I will evaluate specific proposals carefully, including their funding, workforce requirements, quality safeguards, and effects on people receiving services.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

I support stable, adequate state funding for home and community-based services so people with disabilities can receive appropriate, reliable support in their communities. I will work to address harmful funding gaps and strengthen the workforce that delivers these services. Specific budget proposals deserve careful review of their costs, sustainability, and effects on access and quality, with input from people who rely on these supports. Sustaining HCBS should remain a priority in North Carolina’s budget.

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

HR 1 has added harmful barriers to food assistance while shifting more costs onto states and counties. The General Assembly has compounded the problem by failing to adequately fund counties to handle these changes. There is a real risk that eligible people, including people with disabilities and family caregivers, will be wrongly cut off because of paperwork barriers, overlooked exemptions, or processing errors. That is unacceptable. I support state funding for adequate staffing, accessible application assistance, and accurate eligibility reviews, with oversight to prevent wrongful terminations and promptly correct mistakes. Protecting access to food assistance must be a budget priority.

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

I support using state general revenue funds to help close gaps in behavioral health and developmental disability services for people who are ineligible for Medicaid or whose private insurance does not cover needed supports. Specific funding proposals should reflect unmet needs, coordinate with available coverage, and include clear standards for access and quality. I will assess their effectiveness and sustainability, with the goal of helping people receive timely support and participate fully in community life.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

a few family members

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

I believe adults with developmental disabilities should have the same rights, opportunities, and freedoms as anyone else, including the ability to live in the community and make choices about their own lives. At the same time, I recognize that some individuals may need additional support to exercise those choices safely and successfully. I support policies, funding, and oversight that expand self-directed services, strengthen community-based supports, and allow individuals and their families to choose the assistance that best meets their needs.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Children with developmental disabilities deserve the opportunity to participate in everyday community activities that are meaningful to them and their families. I support policies, funding, and oversight that promote inclusion, provide appropriate accommodations and supports, and remove unnecessary barriers to participation while also ensuring each child’s individual safety and well-being.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Public job-training programs should focus on helping people with developmental disabilities pursue meaningful employment, entrepreneurship, and other opportunities that match their abilities, interests, and goals. Greater independence can build confidence, expand economic opportunity, and strengthen connection to the community. I support policies, funding, and oversight that remove barriers, provide appropriate supports, and help individuals pursue real jobs or business ownership with dignity and without stigma.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Affordable, accessible, and adaptive housing should be available to people with developmental disabilities so they have greater opportunities to live independently and participate fully in their communities. I support policies, funding, and oversight that expand housing options, remove barriers, and give individuals and families more choice in finding safe, affordable homes that meet their needs.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

People should have access to physical and mental health care that is trauma-informed, community-based, and centered on their individual needs and choices. I support policies, funding, and oversight that expand access to trusted providers, encourage early identification of health concerns, and ensure that care and support continue over time rather than ending when a crisis has passed. Consistent, compassionate care can improve long-term health, stability, and quality of life.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

Every student deserves a high-quality public education, regardless of how they learn or what additional supports they may need. A student who learns differently should never receive fewer opportunities or a lower standard of education. I support increased funding for qualified staff, specialized services, accommodations, and other resources that help students succeed. Parents should be included as partners, students’ rights should be respected, and every child should leave school with the skills, support, and opportunities needed to build a full and meaningful life.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

I support funding for appropriate accommodations, services, and supports for students with developmental disabilities, along with ongoing training for teachers and school staff. That includes properly staffed special education classrooms, classroom aides and paraprofessionals, speech and occupational therapy, school psychologists and counselors, assistive technology, accessible transportation, individualized education plans, behavioral supports, and strong transition planning for life after graduation. I also support reducing shortages in specialized staff and giving educators the training they need to recognize different learning needs and provide effective, inclusive instruction. Every student should have the resources and support necessary to learn, participate, and succeed.

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

I will defend the rights and protections guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws. People with developmental disabilities deserve equal access to education, employment, housing, health care, public services, and the voting process. I also support a person’s right to make decisions about their own life, with appropriate support when needed, rather than having choices made for them simply because they have a disability. Protecting independence, dignity, accessibility, and full participation in the community should remain a priority.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

This is personal to me because I never want people with developmental disabilities or their families to feel like decisions are being made about them without them. If I am in a position to help shape policy, I want to make sure their voices are heard from the very beginning, not after everything has already been decided. I will make it a priority to listen directly to individuals and families, learn from their experiences, and include them as real partners in decisions about funding, services, and policies that affect their lives. To me, inclusion means more than being invited into the room. It means being respected, being heard, and having a real voice at the table.

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

I do not want to make decisions about people without first listening to the people those decisions will affect. I am committed to hearing directly from people with disabilities and their families as policies are drafted, reviewed, funded, and evaluated. Their lived experiences can tell us what is working, what is missing, and where government needs to do better. I would also welcome the opportunity to work with Disability Action Network NC to build those relationships and make sure these voices are consistently at the table. For me, listening should not happen only when there is a problem—it should be part of how we make good policy from the beginning.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Accountability matters just as much as passing good policy. I will support strong oversight of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Public Instruction, and LME-MCOs to make sure the services, protections, and supports promised to people with developmental disabilities are actually being delivered. I also understand that accountability without adequate funding will only go so far. I will support state budget investments that give these agencies and community providers the resources, staffing, training, and capacity needed to do the job right. Families should not have to keep fighting for services that the system is already supposed to provide.

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

I feel very strongly that people with disabilities should never be separated from their communities simply because they need additional support. Needing accommodations does not make someone less capable, less deserving, or less a part of society. It simply means we need to make sure the right supports are in place so that person can live as fully and independently as possible. I will stand behind the principle that people should receive services in the most integrated setting that meets their needs, and I will support policies and funding that make true community inclusion possible. No one should be pushed aside or made to feel different when what they really need is access, opportunity, and support.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

I will support the state funding needed to sustain and strengthen home and community-based services in North Carolina. These services are not extras—they are what allow many people with disabilities to live with greater independence, remain connected to their families and communities, and receive support in the setting that works best for them. I do not want families constantly wondering whether the services their loved ones depend on will disappear because of a budget decision. I will support responsible investments in HCBS, the workforce that provides these services, and programs that give people real choices about where and how they live. When federal support changes, North Carolina still has a responsibility to protect the people who depend on these services.

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

I am deeply concerned about the barriers these new requirements can create for people with developmental disabilities and their families. It is not fair to make someone prove their eligibility over and over through a process they may have difficulty accessing, understanding, or completing. Some people may not be able to volunteer, work the required hours, get transportation, or keep up with additional paperwork without help, and they should not lose food assistance because of those barriers.

I will work to ensure that North Carolina invests the funding necessary to protect SNAP access, provide adequate staffing and assistance with applications and renewals, and prevent eligible people from being pushed out of the program simply because the system is too difficult to navigate. Food is a basic need. People with disabilities and the families who care for them should not have to fight through unnecessary red tape just to put food on the table. To me, that is a matter of fairness, dignity, and basic humanity.

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

This is one of those areas where families can easily fall through the cracks, and that concerns me. Just because someone does not qualify for Medicaid does not mean their need for behavioral health or developmental disability services suddenly disappears. Private insurance does not always cover everything a person needs, and families should not be left struggling to figure it out on their own.

I am committed to making sure North Carolina uses general revenue funds to help fill those gaps so people can still get the services, therapies, and supports they need. We should not force families to choose between going without care and taking on a financial burden they cannot afford. To me, this is about making sure people are seen as people first, not as an insurance category or eligibility status.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

My nephew (now deceased) was challenged by several learning disabilities in both education systems (IEP) and daily living. My cousin had a traumatic brain injury 30 years ago, leaving him unable to care for much of daily living. The brother of my veterinarian has Down syndrome. A colleague of mine leads the TLC.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

All people deserve a living environment of support, inclusion, and dignity.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

We need to address the critical shortage of Innovation Waivers in NC.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

I support job training programs that ensure that people with developmental disabilities are able to succeed in jobs that are provided by employers who participate voluntarily or are in incentivized programs.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

We are in an affordable housing crisis that extends throughout, especially to those who are challenged by disabilities.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

This would be a wonderful development for our society as a whole.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

Access by everyone to a sound public education is a right, not a privilege.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Access by everyone should be guaranteed.

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

I have witnessed too often the lack of respect for an individual's right to participate in their life decisions.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

We need to make significant progress!

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

I will listen to and consult with those who can provide important input.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

We should ensure that these principles are upheld and that there are funds to support associated administrative costs.

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

I need to study this more and understand how this can best be accomplished.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

I will stand firmly in support of adequate state budget funding.

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

Absolutely! I feel it personally in the impact on the lives of my aunt and cousin.

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Inclusiveness in this is very important.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

I have been working on a bill pertaining to housing for a the past 2 or so years.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

I have been working with parents on possible legislation to provide for independent or semi-independent living for adults with I/DD.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

I have a family member that struggles academically in school with ADHD.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

By staying informed about existing legislation and funding related to adult services for developmental disabilities. I will connect with advocacy groups that promote self-directed living and community inclusion. I would push for support for increased funding and oversight that prioritized person-centered approaches, allowing adults to choose the support they want.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Yes, by sharing stories and date about the needs in District 55. Building coalitions with families, professionals, and organizations to strengthening their voice. Seek advice from local advocacy groups with the knowledge to help make the change need in District 55.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

First, I would learn about existing public job training programs and their funding structures for people with developmental disabilities. Secondly, I would connect with advocacy groups focused on employment and entrepreneurship for District 55 communities. Followed by encouraging collaborations between government, nonprofits, businesses, and vocational rehab services to build comprehensive program options.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Making inclusive, affordable housing is a clear priority on my platform. I'm committed to pushing for increased funding specifically earmarked for housing that meets the needs of people with developmental disabilities. I will advocate for policies that ensure strong oversight to maintain quality, accessibility, and community integration.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

As a candidate, I will champion a trauma-informed healthcare system by promoting policies that train all community health providers-both physical and mental health-in trauma awareness and sensitivity. I would push for expanding access to diverse, culturally competent providers so people have real choices that fit their needs and preferences.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

I would protect and strengthen public education by expanding inclusive practices that fully respect each student's rights and needs. I would be committed to policies that ensure meaningful parental involvement in decision-making, creating strong partnerships between families, teachers, and schools. Promote resources and support that help every student--regardless of ability-to successfully graduate prepared for the next chapter in life.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

I would pledge to allocate or increase dedicated resources in school budgets specifically for these services. I would seek grants and state or local funding streams that provide assistive technologies, classroom aides, and individualized learning support. By supporting these accommodations, we help all students succeed and build stronger communities.

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

Disability rights are civil rights, and every person has the right to make their own decisions, with the support when they need it. I support strong enforcement against disability discrimination in public services, schools, workplaces, housing, transportation, health care, and voting.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

By demanding transparent public reporting, meaningful input from people with disabilities and families, independent oversight, timely complaint resolution, and consequences when agencies fail to meet their obligations.

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

I will uphold the Olmstead principle that people with disabilities should not be unnecessarily segregated in institutions, group settings, schools, or services when they can live, learn, work, and participate in their communities with appropriate support. My policy decisions will protect community inclusion and self-determination, regardless of the federal government's enforcement posture.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

I will support reliable, recurring state funding for Home-and Community-Based Services so North Carolinians with disabilities and older adults can live work, learn, and participate in their own communities. HCBS is not only the right thing to do, it helps prevent unnecessary institutionalization, supports family caregivers, and strengthens our communities.

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

No person with a developmental disability or family caregiver should lose access to food because an application is inaccessible, a renewal is confusing, or a county office is understaffed. I will support state funding that makes SNAP easier to access, maintain, and use for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

I would advocate for stable, recurring general fund investments in behavioral-health and developmental disability services for North Carolinians who are uninsured, underinsured, ineligible for Medicaid, or waiting for Medicaid funded support. A person's access to crisis care, counseling, peer support, housing assistance, or community-based disability services should not depend solely on insurance status.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Part of the North Carolina State Constitution guarantees a sound basic education and job training and vocational education has to be part of that guarantee.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

Adding red tape and hoops for folks to jump thru for aid is cruelty in action and a waste of time and resources for both those whom are monitoring and those whom are in need of help.

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

NO

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Yes. I firmly support policies, funding, and oversight that empower adults with developmental disabilities to live self-directed lives in the community with the supports of their choosing. For over a decade, I have actively championed this exact work locally through professional collaboration with OE Enterprises in Burlington, supporting their mission to provide inclusive employment, vocational training, and transition services. Building accessible, supportive communities is a core priority for me, shaped by my hands-on experience navigating the care system as a foster parent and establishing inclusive practices across my own local businesses. Expanding HCBS waiver slots and fully funding community-based support networks is essential to ensuring every North Carolinian has a real opportunity to thrive on their own terms.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Yes. I wholeheartedly support policies, funding, and robust oversight that empower children with developmental disabilities and their families to fully participate in everyday community life based on what matters most to them.

True community inclusion must start in childhood. As a former Mayor and current City Councilmember, I have prioritized local investments in accessible, community-driven programming, such as Burlington’s longstanding Camp Greenleaves, a 59-year summer program through our Recreation and Parks Department that provides an enriching, inclusive environment for children with developmental disabilities. Seeing our campers thrive alongside their families and peers reinforces that community spaces belong to everyone.

This commitment is also deeply informed by my personal experience as a certified foster parent through the Children’s Home Society of NC. Navigating care systems firsthand highlights how vital it is for families to have flexible, holistic support networks, whether that means accessible recreational facilities, inclusive extracurriculars, or respite care, so children can engage in activities that bring them joy and connection.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Yes. Operating local businesses like Persnickety Books and Isolate IT reinforces the profound value of meaningful employment. Public job-training programs must prioritize real, integrated jobs in the community, including opportunities for entrepreneurship, rather than settling for sheltered workshops.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Yes. A background in City and Regional Planning and hands-on work as a General Contractor drive my focus on expanding affordable, accessible housing. Everyone deserves integrated housing options close to transit and community networks, rather than facing systemic isolation.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

Yes. Navigating the healthcare system as a foster parent underscores exactly why trauma-informed care is essential. We need community-based physical and mental health networks where individuals have the agency to choose trusted providers for continuous, compassionate care.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

Yes. Every student has a fundamental right to an education that prepares them for a full life. I will strongly defend inclusive practices, respect student and parent rights, and fight to ensure our public schools have the flexibility and resources to meet every learner where they are.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Yes. Inclusion requires resources. I will support robust funding for necessary accommodations and comprehensive training for teachers and school staff so they are fully equipped to support students with developmental disabilities.

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

Yes. I will vigorously defend the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and all voting rights laws. Protecting an individual's right to self-determination and ensuring equal, unhindered access at the ballot box is non-negotiable.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Yes. Serving as Mayor and on the City Council reinforced that the best policy is made alongside the people it impacts. People with developmental disabilities and their families must be full, active partners in drafting legislation, not an afterthought.

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Yes, absolutely. I commit to keeping an open door and maintaining an active dialogue with the Disability Action Network NC and the broader disability community when reviewing, drafting, and funding policy.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Yes. Without strong oversight, policy is just words on paper. I will work to hold DHHS, DPI, and our LME-MCOs strictly accountable to ensure principles of integration and support are actively practiced and fully funded.

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

Yes. Regardless of shifts in federal enforcement, I am firmly committed to the principles of Olmstead. North Carolina must step up to guarantee the right to receive services in the most integrated setting possible.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

Yes. With federal pullbacks, our state budget must prioritize sustaining and expanding HCBS funding. We cannot balance the budget on the backs of those who rely on these vital services to live independently in their communities.

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

Yes. The added bureaucratic hurdles created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are unacceptable if they cost eligible individuals their nutrition assistance. I will support state funding and administrative streamlining to ensure new verification burdens do not result in a loss of SNAP access for vulnerable North Carolinians.

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Yes. We must bridge the gap for those who fall outside Medicaid eligibility. I support allocating general revenue funds so that behavioral health and developmental disability services are accessible to everyone who needs them, regardless of their insurance status.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

I am the proud mother of a son with autism

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

There's no one-size-fit-all solution to treating adults with developmental disabilities with the respect and help they need to live fulfilling lives. We should be flexible, generous, and understanding in how we approach policymaking in this field.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

Education is so key for setting up a student for the rest of their life. It's proven that when we invest in education we reap the benefits, and we should be more proactive as a state in working with each child to give them what they need in order to progress academically and graduate.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Our public schools have been underfunded across the board, especially in the areas of dealing with students who need accommodations. If accommodations are not in place from an early age and not kept up as a child ages they can begin to be left behind through no fault of their own. Sustained, well-funded, and forward-looking programs dedicated to giving every child a quality public education is a priority of mine.

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

I always want to hear from those who are affected most by any piece of legislation that I am supporting, and would be grateful for the opportunity when it comes up.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

I disagreed with the DOJ opinion and believe that we as a country are at our strongest when we create environments where everyone can contribute.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

I believe that North Carolina needs to be proactive in our approach across the board in ensuring our residents have the resources they need. We cannot rely on the federal government to pick up the slack, and we've often passed off our responsibilities to already struggling local governments.

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

I was born deaf/hard of hearing with a language delay as a child. I am passionate about my community and those who support us.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

As a small business owner and a seamstress, I strongly support job training programs, small business assistance and trades programs that helps my community thrive.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

With everything that is in me, I would defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, 504, IDEA and voting rights laws including a person’s right to make their own decisions. I graduated high school in 1996. ADA became law in 1990, and yet so many companies at that time were not truly following it, Things have change in some industries but we have much work to do to ensure that all extraordinary individuals have equal rights to be self sufficient in our society.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

I welcome the opportunity to listen to all who have disabilities, who support us and the families that love us. As a person with a disability and with children of my own with disabilities, I know first hand how important this is.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

UNSURE

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

I feel that everyone need to be careful for. That folks with disabilities need the best care possible

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Children need to be most of all need support. To be able to share in all activities. To help enrich their lives

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

I love the fact that there are several businesses near me that support. Hiring folks with disabilities. Down for Donuts in Mooresville NC. Is a place that we frequent often. Just for that reason

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Yes. Everyone need to have good quality care

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

We should be allowed to visit a doctor or medical center of our choice

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

Children in NC should have the best schools in the county. But it requires that they have a well funded school budget. To hire the best teachers possible

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Every child deserves to be able to go to school and have staff that are qualified to take care of the every need

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

DECLINE TO ANSWER

Absolutely.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

If elected. I will make sure everyone has a seat at the table. So their voices are heard

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Yes. I will work with and talk to everyone. That need to be cared for by state funding. To make their lives better.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

As a legislators I will make sure that the funding will be sustainable to keep funding HCBS

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

Making sure that ALL folks have the ability to provide meals for themselves and their families is very near to my heart

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Yes of course. Every one in this state should be cared for regardless of the financial circumstances

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Volunteers on my campaign and friends have children with developmental disabilities. My wife works at J Iverson Riddle Developmental Center as a health tech and activities director. She has also been a DSP in the past. I am a 36 year educator retired and I am currently working at a behavioral interventionist in Iredell County Schools, seeing first hand the needs of those with disabilities.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

The rights and choices of People with Disabilities should always be supported.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

HCBS waivers need to be protected and expanded.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Everyone including those with disabilities should be afforded the opportunity to work in jobs that fulfill them or own a business in they so desire.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Yes. I will support policies, funding, and oversight that expand inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

Yes. I support community health care that lets people choose their own providers, catches problems early, and keeps helping over time, not just during a crisis.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

After 36 years as a public educator, I know firsthand what it takes for every student to succeed. I will protect public education by expanding inclusive practices so students of all abilities learn alongside their peers, respecting students' rights, and genuinely involving parents as partners in their children's education. Every student deserves to graduate with the skills, support, and opportunities they need for a full life.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

I've seen firsthand how the right accommodations and well-trained staff make the difference between a student who struggles and one who thrives. I will support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, along with training for teachers and staff so they understand available services and supports and can put them into practice in the classroom.

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

Yes. I will defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws, including a person's right to make their own decisions about their own life. These protections exist so people with disabilities are not denied their voice because of a disability. I will oppose efforts to weaken these laws or their enforcement, and support strengthening oversight so the rights on paper are actually honored.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

I will work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not consulted after decisions are made, but involved from the start in shaping the policies, programs, and funding that affect their lives.

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

I will work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not consulted after decisions are made, but involved from the start in shaping the policies, programs, and funding that affect their lives. I would welcome the input of the Disability Action Network.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

I will support and fight for real oversight, transparency, and follow-through, along with supporting the state budget funding necessary to make these commitments a reality rather than an unfunded mandate.

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

I will uphold the right to community-based services, no matter what the federal government does or doesn't enforce. Fortunately the DOJ opinion doesn't change the law itself, it just signals less federal follow-through. That means it's even more important for our state to keep funding and protecting people's right to live in their communities, not institutions.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

With less federal backing, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. I will continue to support the state funding needed to sustain and expand home and community-based services, so people can keep living in their communities instead of losing that support because of a federal pullback.

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

I'll support the funding needed to make sure SNAP stays accessible for people with developmental disabilities and their families in North Carolina. Although most people with disabilities are exempt from the new work requirements, the extra paperwork can still cause eligible people to lose benefits by mistake. I'll push for enough staff and support to help people navigate the process so no one loses food assistance over red tape.

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

I'll support state general revenue funding for behavioral health and developmental disability services for people who don't qualify for Medicaid, including those with private insurance. More broadly, I support the principle that everyone deserves access to healthcare, and no one should go without needed services because of how they're insured or what program they qualify for.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

UNSURE

Would need to see the details

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

My uncle had severe physical and mental disabilities. My grandmother, Anita Arneson Pressly, started a school for children with disabilities in her basement in Statesville. She was awarded the the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in recognition of her work.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

UNSURE

This is most likely a "yes", but the scope of the question is very broad. I would need more specific details to make an informed decision.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

As a former board member of Transylvania Vocational Services (now Alula), I understand the importance of job-training programs and work for people with developmental disabilities.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

I served over 18 years as the Vice-Chair of the Asheville Regional Housing Coalition. During this time, we worked to make sure that housing opportunities were made available to individuals with developmental disabilities.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

My wife just retired after teaching for 41 years in the public schools and, most recently, as the Director of Teacher Education at Brevard College. I understand the importance of public education and the need to respect all students and their need to have a full life.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

The challenge that the NC Legislature has is working to prioritize how revenues are spent and who receives the benefits. I firmly believe that we need to be focused on individuals and families.

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

I had an aunt with downs syndrome and a close neighbor growing up with cerebral palsy.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

I will vote to add waiver slots in every budget, and to raise pay for direct support professionals, which averages under $17 an hour and is a main reason services cannot be provided even after a family is finally approved.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

A family should not need a waiver slot to get to a birthday party, a summer camp, or a Saturday at the beach. Respite care, after-school programs, and childcare that will actually accept a child with a disability should be available to every family. I would fund those policies, and I would expect programs taking state money to be open to every child.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Competitive, integrated employment should be the goal from the first day, not something people graduate into after years in a segregated setting. I support funding Vocational Rehabilitation, expanding the community college IDD workforce programs past the handful of campuses running them now, and backing people who want to start their own business.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

A person living on SSI cannot afford a one-bedroom apartment at fair market rent in New Hanover County, and our rents keep climbing. I support funding the NC Housing Trust Fund and the Targeting Program that sets aside accessible units, and I would require accessibility and visitability in developments built with state dollars.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

Trillium is the LME-MCO for New Hanover County, and network adequacy here is not what it looks like on paper. A directory full of providers who are not taking new patients is not true access. I would fund crisis services and mobile crisis teams so that an emergency room or a jail cell stops being the default, pay behavioral health providers rates that keep them in the network, and protect continuity so people are not started over with a new provider every time a contract turns over.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

North Carolina caps state special education funding at 13 percent of a district’s enrollment and pays a flat amount per student, roughly $5,300, whether a child needs speech therapy twice a month or a one-on-one aide all day. At the same time, the voucher program sends public money to private schools that are not required to provide what an IEP guarantees. I would lift the cap, fund exceptional children services based on actual need, and stop the diversion.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Yes, and it has to include the adults. Teachers, teacher assistants, bus drivers, and front-office staff are the people who make an inclusive school work or not, and most of them were never trained for it. I would fund that training, and I would pay EC teachers and assistants enough to keep the ones we have.

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

These are rights, not programs, and they are not optional. On self-determination specifically, I will fight for supported decision-making as an alternative to full guardianship. Stripping a person of the legal right to decide should be a last resort.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

People with developmental disabilities and their families should be in the room while a bill is being drafted, not brought in to react once it is filed.

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Yes, and I will take Disability ACTION Network NC up on the offer to make those connections. I would rather hear about a bad provision from a parent in Wilmington before I vote than read about it afterward.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Accountability starts with numbers the public can see. Waitlist counts by county, how long it takes from waiver approval to services actually starting, denial and appeal rates, and honest network adequacy, all published in plain language on a set schedule.

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

I will treat the most integrated setting as the standard in every vote I take, regardless of whatever position Washington adopts.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

I would fund caseload capacity at county DSS offices, require plain-language notices, and push the state to apply exemptions automatically where a disability is already documented in its own records, instead of making a family navigate a complex web of paperwork.

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

There is a whole group of people caught in between, with too much income for Medicaid and private insurance that will not cover developmental disability services. State single-stream dollars are what covers them, and that funding has been squeezed for years. I would protect it and restore it. The alternative is families paying out of pocket until they cannot, and then a crisis the state ends up paying for anyway.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Yes as to family members and know a number of people outside of my family.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

One of many examples is my work with Community College Board Member Lisa Estep. We created Access for Achievement in the Community College System. We recently expanded it with recurring dollars this past budget cycle.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

One example is funding through the budget for Peacehaven Community Farm.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

One example is the creation of personal Education Savings Accounts early in my career that have evolved into the current PESA program in NC. We provided funding to make sure we fully funded the wait list in our last budget cycle.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

An example is that I am a co-chair for the North Carolina Legislative Intellectual and Developmental Disability (I/DD) Caucus.

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

I have several friends who have children with Austism.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

One of my cousins had brain damage from the use of forceps during a lengthy labor years ago. She passed away from cancer.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Yes. Many people with disabilities have the to live independent lives if given the proper training.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

My cousin I mentioned previously was able to have a job at Goodwill sorting donations. She loved feeling that she was contributing, which she was.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Yes. Housing is expensive for everyone. There needs to be help for people with physical and mental disabilities.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

I will fight for Healthcare for all.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

I am concerned about how we are taking so much money from public schools for private school vouchers. This makes it hard to hire nurses, teachers who focus on special education, and other programs for all children.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

No one should suffer discrimination of any kind.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

I will work across the aisle to get laws passed that will help the disabled.

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

I'd be happy to have that conversation.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Your concern is valid. Sometimes we make good laws, but fail to enforce them.

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

When I'm elected, I welcome face to face meetings to discuss and learn about what is needed.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

In pains me when I hear Republicans say we can't afford school lunches or make it more difficult to get SNAP benefits, all while lowering taxes for corporations and the wealthy.

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

It is a shame that some people could lose benefits while the effects of this law are sorted out.

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

I have a Masters in Counseling Psychology, which makes me sensitive to this issue.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

My son Ian was afflicted with early onset schizophrenia at 13. He is now 33. His mother (now deceased) and I had/have taken care of him all along. Where do I begin? To be sure, I can tell you stories that would make a person cry. I am his legal guardian and in conjunction with his UNC Community Mental Health ACT Team, take very good care of him to this day, everyday.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Ian lives at the Tiny Home Village on the Farm at Penny Lane in Pittsboro. He lives a self-directed life. Not only would I support this for all who need it, I am passionate about it.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Absolutely. And again, I am very passionate about this. A family with a disabled member many times falls into iatrogenic poverty causing hardship and pain beyond that of the baseline of having such burden. I will give everything I have to this cause.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

As a leader in this area, I would also seek to expand the thinking to include on-site venues where people could work. For example, micro manufacturing facilities where people could take a golf cart to work everyday. I spent a big part of my career in manufacturing and there is no reason something like this couldn't be set up. It would be a great thing and give everyone a sense of purpose. And maybe even turn a profit! How great would that be for everyone's self esteem?

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

As I said, Ian lives in a tiny home community.This is a good model. I am also a major proponent of medium sized operations. Group homes with a small number of beds are one thing and large institutions with hundreds of beds are another. Medium sized places with say 20-40 beds would be the Goldie Locks zone that would optimize management effectiveness and efficiency. Give an at-home "feel" and be quite economical.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

Absolutely. Trauma, be it physical or mental, as one of the major causes of true injury in our society. We need to do everything we can to make our society healthy again. I can't stand it when I see all the people who suffer out there. Again, in this area, I think it important to expand the thinking beyond the subset of those with formal diagnoses to people who are sub-psychotic yet "disturbed" in their constitution. IMHO, trauma converts to anger when one faces no clear path out of their circumstance. I also think there needs to be way more support for people who are obese.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

I grew up and was educated in the public system. For the most part, I am a purist, basically seeing education, be it public or private, covering reading, writing, math, social studies, history and phys ed. Pretty much. I will not claim close in knowledge on best practices or other aspects of education as it is today. However, I do know that teachers are faced with beyond-the-pale challenges with the background home environment and situations of their students. I'm not entirely sure of what the answer to this is. But I would be much more apt to lean in favor of say off-site, help, counseling therapy separate and apart from the school environment with full support and funding from state government. Like I said, I am no expert in this and would need to talk to educators at length, do my own research and my homework to be able to offer anything better.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

UNSURE

Depends. Not sure how this works with regard to competency.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

100%. As is my family's own story, each one is unique and yet each one have similarities. In my hypothetical mind, I would want to hear from each and everyone, as would be entered into an AI structured problem solving model that could be used as part of a basis for policy.

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

See response to "A Real Seat at ALL Tables" above. Ditto.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

This would involve a lot of details, I am sure. I love details and would want the funding to be used as efficiently as possible.

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

100%. Absolutely. For sure. Please see my answer to "Self-directed lives and real opportunity".

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

I and my family have had to be on EBT for a period and I know how important this assistance is. Iatrogenic poverty is a double whammy. Hard enough taking care of loved ones. This should not have to be an issue at all for those qualified and in need.

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Matthew 25:40 - We MUST take care of our people.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

A dear friend had a sister with Downs Syndrome. Unfortunately, she recently passed from complications from a medical procedure. She was 37.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

I've been an advocate for the needs of blind and the visually impared, specifically with the Vision Resource Center (VRC) of Cumberland County. Something as simple as requesting the City of Fayetteville provide free bus passes has been very impactful.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Specifically, there has been a lack of funding for EC children in our public schools system in both services and qualified staffing. I've consistently engaged County and school Board officials on this issue. Its important to continue to make this a priority for inclusion in the state budget.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

This is an area that I am continuing to learn about. Of particular interest is collaboration with Fort Bragg for opportunities.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

This is an urgent converation that I've had with many parents that are aging. One of their primary concerns is where will their children with disabilities live once they have passed on. I am not sure of what the real needs are, but affordable housing needs are urgent for everyone and even a greater challenge for people with developmental disabilities.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

UNSURE

I'm not exactley sure what this question means or how it fits into the overall healthcare system. As we continue to face healthcare cuts from the federal government, states are increasing left with picking up the costs. There is a shortage of medical providers and we have medical/healthcare deserts across the state. This issue is cetainly something I am open to learning more about.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

As stated earlier, schools face a shortage of qualified staff and funding to meet the educational needs of children with developmental disabilities. I think it is also important that parents be willing to build real partnernships with the school systems to make their children successful.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

See previous comments.

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

The ADA is a foundational document that must be protected and improved to reflect the needs and rights of people that depend upon it.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

I certainly will, but I think it is increasing more important for people with disabilities and their families to be their biggest advocate by continuously showing up in the spaces that matter and bringing awareness to the issues that are important.

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

I have a great relationship with the Disability Action Netwrok NC; I admire and am very supportive of their work. I look forward to growing this relationship.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

As you are aware the state budget is not just a monetary document, it is laden with policy. I will continue to hold agencies that are accountable to the Legislature to ensure these issues are addressed in policyand in funding.

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

UNSURE

In theory I absolutely support this but in practice there are settings where organizations are held accountable to implement integrated settings but simply do not have the resources to do so. This potentially creates harmful and dangerous situations. I think the availability of resources and adequately trained staff are key issues that must be weighed in each situation.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

Unfortunately, elections have consequences and things will get worse before they get better. The current composition of the Legislature puts HCBS and SNAP at risk, cuts are looming. The challenge will be how do we get through these tough times.

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

As stated above, unless the composition of the State Legislature changes. These programs are in jeapordy, it's one of the primary reasons I did not vote in favor of the recent NC State budget.

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

UNSURE

I need to understand the need better; there are shortages that impact every facet of nearly every program. With a better understanding, I could prioritize and adequately address this issue.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

UNSURE

This is a complex question that extends over a lot of underlying issues, more research would need to be done to address this.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

UNSURE

I will commit to integrating the principle established in Olmstead in my policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture as it helps the people who I serve.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

UNSURE

This question is vague, what exactly is the need, and more research would need to be done to address the overall shortages in the medical field.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

My oldest son is autistic.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

The Medicaid piece is the one I've committed to on my site: fund it at the level DHHS's own agency says it needs to keep current services. Waiver slots and HCBS don't survive a legislature that treats Medicaid as the thing it cuts to balance the budget.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

I spent seven years running a company that did remote patient monitoring so people could get care at home instead of in a facility. That's the model. It works, and the state should pay for it.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

I'm endorsed by NCAE and FCAE. The state paid to have the Leandro plan written and then ignored it, and I'd fund it. Separately, private schools taking Opportunity Scholarship money should have to report test scores and graduation rates, which they currently don't. That matters for families of kids with IEPs who are told a voucher school will serve them and then find out it may not.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

Federal enforcement pulling back doesn't change what the right thing is. It just means the state has to do it on its own.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

Pay for what's already promised before expanding anything else.

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

With the honest caveat that I'd want to see the numbers. The families who make too much for Medicaid and too little to pay out of pocket are the ones nobody's budget line covers.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

I have a cousin who has developmental disabilities.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

My cousin Bobby has led a self-directed life for many years. He is able to use public transportation to take him to his employer and return home safely. He lives in an independent dwelling near relatives.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

I am an advocate for accessible public spaces that the entire community can enjoy.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

As a 50-year public education veteran, I have had the pleasure of witnessing my students with development disabilities as they learn trades and find employment.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

There is a great need for our state to provide affordable housing opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

I am a proponent of Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, especially in rural areas. Part of that process includes transportation for folks who can not provide their own.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

My best experiences in public schools have been in inclusive school environments.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

I think it is critical that teachers have an understanding of the needs of the student and the resources available to the students.

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

Absolutely! My motto is "Unity through diversity," all students deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and inclusivity.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Yes, it is critical that policy makers hear from their stakeholders.

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

I would truly enjoy a relationship with the Disability Action Network NC. It's the team approach. Together, everyone achieves more.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Yes, the NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction needs to be held accountable for its services.

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

Yes, I concur that people with disabilities have the right to services in an integrated setting.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

Yes, I share your concerns regarding these federal funding shortfalls.

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

Yes, I believe that the implementation of HR1 was a severe mistake and a miscarriage of justice.

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Yes, I believe this funding is critical. There needs to be a safety net for marginalized populations.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

As a public school teacher for 30 years, I taught and worked with students with developmental disabilities and came to know many of their families. That experience taught me how much good schools, dependable services, and respect for each person’s abilities matter.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

People should have as much choice as possible about where they live, the services they receive, and the direction of their own lives. State policy should help families make that possible instead of creating more barriers.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Children with developmental disabilities should have the same chance to learn, play, participate, and belong in their communities as every other child. Families should have the support needed to make that possible.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Job training ought to lead somewhere. I support programs that prepare people for real jobs, competitive employment, apprenticeships, or starting a business according to their abilities and goals.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Housing is already difficult to afford in many parts of North Carolina. People with developmental disabilities shouldn’t face an additional shortage of safe, accessible, community-based choices.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

Health care works best when people can get help close to home before a problem becomes a crisis. I support person-centered care, continuity of services, and adequate funding for community providers.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

I spent 30 years in public education. Public schools have a responsibility to serve every child. That requires qualified staff, proper support, parental involvement, and enough funding to meet students’ individual needs.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Teachers and support staff can’t be expected to meet increasingly complex needs without training, adequate staffing, and resources. Special education should never be treated as an unfunded afterthought.

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

These are basic civil rights. I will defend equal access, reasonable accommodations, voting rights, educational rights, and the right of people with disabilities to have a meaningful say in decisions about their own lives.

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

People affected by a policy should have a seat at the table while that policy is being written. That includes people with developmental disabilities, family members, caregivers, providers, and advocates.

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Yes. One of my commitments in this campaign is to listen before making decisions. I would welcome an ongoing working relationship with people with disabilities, families, providers, and organizations such as Disability Action Network NC.

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Funding matters, but so does accountability. State agencies and contractors should be expected to show that services are reaching people, wait times are improving, and public money is being used for the purpose intended.

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

Yes. When a person can safely receive services in the community and wants to do so, state policy should support that choice. North Carolina should not wait for Washington to tell us to treat people with dignity and independence.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

Home and community-based services allow people to remain close to family and participate in their communities. I support protecting those services and addressing the waiting lists that leave families without dependable help.

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

Eligible people shouldn’t lose food assistance because they couldn’t navigate a complicated form or verification process. I support adequate staffing and state administration that helps people establish eligibility accurately and efficiently.

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

A person shouldn’t fall through the cracks simply because Medicaid isn’t the right funding source for their situation. I support responsible state funding for essential developmental disability and behavioral health services when other coverage is unavailable.

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

YES

Part 1: “Developmental Disability-Friendly” Questions
Lived-Experience
Developmental disabilities affect learning, communication, or daily living skills. They include conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and many others not named here.
People with I/DD are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Do you have a family member or know someone personally with a developmental disability?

YES

I have a close friend whose son has autism and I was a special education teacher for 8 years working with students with Serious Emotional Disturbance. My wife and I facilitated a weekly art class for adults with developmental disabilities for five years.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help adults with developmental disabilities live self-directed lives, in the community, with the support they choose.

YES

I will support policies, funding, and oversight as well as be a fierce advocate for everyone with developmental disabilities.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help children with developmental disabilities and their families take part in everyday community activities, based on what matters most to them?

YES

I think that for the school setting Least Restrictive Environment is the key to ensuring that children are in the right environment in the first place so they are able to participate in everyday community activities. The same is true for all other settings.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight that help public job-training programs aim for real jobs for people with developmental disabilities - including starting a business or working for an employer - as the goal?

YES

Real, authentic jobs that are in the person's sphere of interest is the key here. The same goals that neurotypical people work to achieve.

Self-directed lives and real opportunity
Will you support policies, funding, and oversight for the expansion of inclusive, affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities.

YES

We need to shorten / eliminate the waiting list for affordable housing options for people with developmental disabilities. Instead of waiting years it should only be months to wait.

Health care that meets people where they are
Will you back a trauma-informed system of physical and mental health care in the community - with providers people actually choose - so problems are caught early and support continues over time?.

YES

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you protect public education by expanding inclusive practices, respecting students' rights, involving parents, and helping every student graduate with what they need for a full life?

YES

This area is where the needed changes can have the biggest impact. A required transition plan within the IEP should be developed to bring whatever community resources are needed so that upon graduation the student and their caregivers / family / support people understand exactly what is going to happen so the student can enjoy a fully life just like everyone else.

A strong, inclusive public education system
Will you support funding for developmental disability accommodations in schools, and education for teachers and staff about developmental disability services and supports?

YES

Funding must be available so that IEP teams have what they need instead of developing a plan based upon only what they have. Beyond funding, parents, caregivers, and advocates need a cadre of ombudspeople who can ensure that school districts: follow the law; do what's best for the student; don't stonewall the parents/caregivers; respect the wishes of the student; and conduct the IEP meetings as they are supposed to be conducted -- rather than as an already-decided one-way information-sharing session. (If the general statutes don't get school decision makers attention then perhaps a civi lawsuit will?)

Freedom from discrimination and the right to self-determination
Will you defend the rights guaranteed under the ADA, Section 504, IDEA, and voting rights laws including a person's right to make their own decisions?

YES

A Real Seat at ALL Tables.
Will you work toward statewide inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families in policymaking as full partners, not an afterthought?

YES

Listening and Staying Connected
Will you commit to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and their families as you draft, review, and fund policy that affects them? The Disability Action Network NC is glad to help make those connections whenever you would like.

YES

Accountability
Will you help hold NC's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Instruction and LME-MCOs accountable for putting these principles into practice and support the state budget funding needed to do so?

YES

Olmstead v. L.C. (1999)
This landmark ruling affirmed that needlessly segregating people with disabilities in institutional settings is discrimination, and that everyone has the right to services in the most integrated setting that fits their needs. On June 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a legal opinion arguing that the ADA and Section 504 do not impose a general integration mandate on states, and that DOJ will no longer rely on its longstanding Olmstead guidance in enforcement. This does not change the underlying law, but it signals a pullback in federal enforcement of the right to community living.
Will you commit to upholding the principle established in Olmstead - the right to services in the most integrated setting - in your policy decisions, regardless of the current federal enforcement posture?

YES

I will work as hard as I can to effectuate political change on the national level so that new personnel are working at U.S. DOJ in late January 2029.

State budget funding for HCBS and SNAP
With federal enforcement of Olmstead weakening and federal dollars for other supports pulling back, North Carolina's own budget choices matter more than ever. Disability advocates warn that funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) could be at greater risk when the state makes its own budget decisions without a federal backstop.
Will you continue to support the state budget funding needed to sustain HCBS in North Carolina?

YES

HB-1
Separately, under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), expanded SNAP work requirements took effect in North Carolina on December 1, 2025: adults ages 18–64 without a child under 14 must now work or volunteer 80 hours a month unless they qualify for an exemption. Most people with a documented disability, or those receiving disability-related benefits, remain exempt, and adults caring for a disabled family member of any age still qualify but the general caregiver exemption has narrowed from covering any child under 18 to only children under 14. The added paperwork and verification requirements raise the risk that eligible North Carolinians with disabilities lose benefits due to administrative burden rather than actual ineligibility.
Will you support the state budget funding needed for SNAP access for people with developmental disabilities and their families?

YES

State and Local Non-Medicaid Funding Options
If an individual with developmental disabilities does not qualify for Medicaid, finding funding for services can be particularly challenging. This includes individuals who qualify for private insurance through their families.
Will you support the allocation of general revenue funds for non-Medicaid behavioral health and developmental disability services?

UNSURE