In this video, Ryan Roy, a self-advocate from Saddle Brook, New Jersey, talks about what voting means to him as a married father of two. For Ryan, he wants to see politicians who care about the needs of all people with disabilities, not just those impacting him personally. Ryan reminds us that politicians can have an impact on so many issues that touch upon our community, ranging from accessing health insurance, to supported employment opportunities, even to transportation and getting around “from point A to point B.” Ryan knows he needs to have an impact. Ryan says that he advocates for change because, “I Gotta Get My Voice Heard I gotta get my voice heard.”
He encourages all people with disabilities to be part of the process, to ensure all of our voices are heard – just like his. And it’s why we need to all get out, not just tomorrow but on every Election Day, and cast our ballots. To show politicians what we stand for as a community, and to remind them that our voices matter. As Ryan reminds us, voting is when you get the chance: “To actually have it said for the record.” So join Ryan and the rest of the disability community in casting your ballot. To make sure that nothing that impacts us, including the politics process, is done without us. To find your polling place, or to research what’s on your ballot, visit vote411.org. This video made in collaboration with the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities and the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities.
