Young readers under 18 who are blind, have low vision, or disabilities can enroll in the National Library Service to get free books, audiobooks, or braille by mail. https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/resources-for-children/

Mark your calendars! The Candidates' Forum on Disability Issues will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 from 1:00 PM - 7:30 PM at the Bristol Event Center. Share this with anyone interested in disability issues! Will we see you there?

On February 11th, DRCT submitted comment to the CT Regulatory Commission about proposed changes to requirements for medical protections from utility shut-offs. You can read the comments and learn more at www.DisRightsCT.org/Utility-Shut-Off-Protections

Mail-in voting rules haven’t changed, but timing has. Know the USPS postmark guidance updates, plan ahead, and protect your ballot. Need help? Learn more: https://ncavote.org/resource/new-postmarking-guidance-ballots-election-mail/

Following a thorough four-year investigation by DRCT into the sexual abuse of women at York Correctional Institution (YCI), the state's facility for female prisoners, lawmakers are currently considering new legislation. ctmirror.org/2026/02/19/a...

ICYMI International Epilepsy Day was February 9th. Epilepsy, a neurological seizure disorder, is diagnosed after multiple seizures (or after one seizure with a high risk for more). Learn more at https://epilepsyct.com/webinar-series/.

Black artists with disabilities have not only pushed artistic boundaries but have also been instrumental in advocating for accessibility and disability rights. Click here to learn more about these amazing individuals: https://ow.ly/sv3w50Yhm0m

Rare Disease Day Celebration at Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural History https://medicine.yale.edu/event/rare-disease-day-2026/ Date: Friday, February 20, 2026 Time: 6:00PM-9:00PM Location: Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History - 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT 06511

TAFA E.M.B.R.A.C.E. Autism Parent Support Group - this month's presentation is on Understanding Sensory Integration. WHEN? Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 6:00PM-7:30PM. WHERE? 932 East Main Street – Suite 2, Torrington, CT 06790. TO REGISTER: https://www.tafainc.org/upcoming-events.html

February 14th is Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) Awareness Day ❤️ Understanding children’s learning needs helps families get support to thrive in school. Read more: https://www.cdc.gov/heart-defects/living-with/learning-and-educational-needs-for-children.html

DRCT will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026 in observance of President's Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, February 17.

ICYMI February 4th was World Cancer Day - a day to honor those we’ve lost, support those living with cancer, and to raise awareness for better prevention and treatment options. https://ow.ly/ewA850YcPWh

1st Annual Transition Fair – Stafford Public Schools Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026; Time: 4:00 PM-6:00 PM Location: Stafford Public High School (Cafeteria), 145 Orcutville Road, Stafford Springs, CT 06076

Starting Jan 1, 2026, DSS requires prior authorization for many Medicaid medications. Coverage may end after Apr 1, 2026 without prior approval. Talk to your doctor and share your story. More info: https://www.disrightsct.org/medication-coverage

February is Low Vision Awareness Month and Jewish Disability Inclusion and Awareness Month. Learn more: https://www.disrightsct.org/disability-awareness

DRCT and the Office of the Child Advocate investigation reveals poor oversight at out-of-state Special Education schools, risking student safety and rights. Read the full report: https://www.disrightsct.org/out-of-state-special-education #DisabilityRights #SpecialEducation #ProtectOurStudents

During Black History Month, NAM honors Johnnie Lacy, advocate for Independent Living and one of the founders of the first Center for Independent Living in Berkeley, CA. Learn more: https://nam.edu/product/black-history-month/

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts of the body.  For information on how to manage RA: https://ow.ly/YocP50Y7UmA

Connecticut’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol has been extended to 2/5. Call 2-1-1 or visit 211CT.org to find a shelter or warming center. Transportation can be provided if necessary. Learn more: https://ow.ly/BRut50Y5w64

7% of U.S. parents have a disability, yet their rights are challenged. Explore the National Research Center dashboards to learn more about disabled parents. https://heller.brandeis.edu/parents-with-disabilities/data-hub/parenting-center-dashboard.html

Advocacy Summit on Supported Decision Making - Thursday, January 29, 6:00 - 7:30 PM (Virtual). Learn how you can use your voice to help lawmakers understand the importance of SDM! Register here: https://ow.ly/M2TL50XVMrz

People with disabilities may want to take extra care during the cold weather. Some conditions may limit sensory abilities and the ability to maintain body heat, so be particularly vigilant about staying warm when you are out in low temperatures. To locate a shelter or warming center, call 2-1-1.

January 23 is Ed Roberts Day! Thanks to him, thousands of students with disabilities attend college. He also opened the first center for independent living. Read about his advocacy: https://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=Ed_Roberts:_The_Father_of_Independent_Living

Connecticut’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol has been activated. Call 2-1-1 or visit 211CT.org to find a shelter or warming center. Transportation can be provided if necessary. Learn more: https://ow.ly/wu6J50Y1ZeJ

Advocacy Summit on Supported Decision Making - Thursday, January 29, 6:00 - 7:30 PM (Virtual). Learn how you can use your voice to help lawmakers understand the importance of SDM! Register here: https://ow.ly/M2TL50XVMrz

In summer 1944, Martin Luther King Jr. worked on a tobacco farm in Simsbury, CT, earning money for college. This experience was crucial in shaping his future. Learn how it influenced his path: https://ow.ly/P62A50XYcys

DRCT will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, January 20th.

🗣️ Support the law protecting people with disabilities from utility shut-offs! Attend the Jan. 20th meeting or send comments to [email protected]. For questions contact Bonnie Roswig at [email protected] or call/text (860)566-0836. #DisabilityRights #UtilityProtection #Advocacy

Wishing for all college transition resources in one place? 🤔✅ Check out Think College’s Transition Resource Pack for essential guides! Download or request hard copies: https://thinkcollege.net/.../think-college-transition

Advocacy Summit on Supported Decision Making - Thursday, January 29, 6:00 - 7:30 PM (Virtual). Learn how you can use your voice to help lawmakers understand the importance of SDM! Register here: https://ow.ly/ppmX50XVMry

Don't miss CT’s Yellow Envelope Program Rollout & Community Training on January 14, 2026, from 2-4 pm at the Legislative Office Building, Hearing Room 1A. Limited seating is available, and registration is required, so please be sure to REGISTER HERE- https://ow.ly/Jyrh50XT8yH...

Know your rights to effective communication aids like sign language interpreters and plain language text under the ADA! Check out Disability Rights CT for resources. https://www.disrightsct.org/resource-center/#effective-communication

Effective communication in medical care is vital, especially in emergencies. Information must be clear and understandable. Technology and services can aid people with disabilities to participate more independently in their medical care. https://www.disrightsct.org/effective-communication-folder

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) provides free braille and recorded materials for those who can't access print. Funded by Congress, these resources are mailed as 'Free Matter for the Blind.' Learn more: https://www.loc.gov/nls/who-we-are/overview/

Braille is a code that enables us to read with our fingertips using a system of six raised dots. It was created in 1824 by a French boy named Louis Braille who was born on January 4, 1809. Today, Braille is used all over the world in many languages.

January is National Braille Literacy Month, Thyroid Awareness Month, and National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Learn more at https://www.disrightsct.org/disability-awareness

Our 2025 Community Engagement wrap-up is here! Hear from Strategic Partnerships Manager, Mike Whilby, about the tireless efforts of DRCT staff, volunteers, and board members to connect people in our community to the power of disability rights! https://www.disrightsct.org/community-engagement

As we welcome 2026, we recommit to building a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable world for people with disabilities in Connecticut. Thank you for supporting our work and standing with us. We wish you a bright and hopeful New Year!

Check out this online tool from CT Connecting to Care that can help families find children's behavioral health services and family support in CT. https://www.connectingtocarect.org/supports-services/aim/

Costs are going up everywhere - but help is available! Find out if you qualify for assistance with heating, food or other utility costs. https://www.disrightsct.org/winter-assistance

Ascend is a free support program serving families in North Hartford. Ascend helps families access critical resources to improve academic, health, and life outcomes. https://thevillage.org/programs/ascend/ Walk-ins welcome Wednesdays 3-5. Spanish speaking services available.

In 2020, the United Nations made December 27th the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. For more: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/tools-resources/ https://www.cdc.gov/cfa-modeling-and-forecasting/rt-estimates/

LAST DAY TO VOTE! Voting ends tonight (December 26th)! This is your final chance to help us win $10,000 in advertising credits. Vote now: https://www.ctinsider.com/ctgivescontest #VoteNow #ConnecticutGives

Check out this blog post from Disability Rights Florida about how you can make your celebrations more accessible for all of your friends and family! 🎊 🙌 https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/blog/entry/crip_the_holidays #AccessibleCelebrations #InclusiveEvents

⚡ Time is running out! Don't forget to vote daily through December 26th. We're so close to winning $10,000 in advertising credits for disability rights advocacy. Vote now: https://www.ctinsider.com/ctgivescontest

Disability Rights Connecticut will be closed from Wednesday, December 24, 2025 through Thursday, January 1st, 2026. We will resume normal office hours on Friday, January 2nd, 2026. Wishing you a happy, healthy and safe holiday season!

DRCT is pleased to announce that we have received a $15,000 grant from the J. Walton Bissell Foundation, Inc. We greatly appreciate the foundation's generosity, which enables us to continue having a positive impact on the community.

Sensory-Friendly Time @ Christmas Village sponsored by TAFA. Sat. 12/20 or Sun. 12/21. 150 Church Street, Torrington, CT 06790 3 timeslots available; capped attendance to remain sensory friendly: 9:00AM – 9:40AM; 9:50AM – 10:30AM; 10:40AM – 11:20AM Register here: https://ow.ly/7UgZ50XJo6G

You've supported our mission all year. Now we need one more favor—your vote! 🙏 Help us win $10,000 in advertising credits to reach even more people who need our advocacy. Vote: www.ctinsider.com/ctgivescontest

Content Warning: Sexual Assault & Violence. This investigative report involves reported cases of sexual assault.