Important Message: Our office hours have changed.
Fighting for Justice... Advancing Independence
Our Mission
Who We Are
We are a non-profit Center for Independent Living
We are a 501c3 recognized by the IRS and one of over 340 Centers for Independent Living (CIL) in the US. We were one of the first 10 CILs, established in 1980.
We are consumer controlled
We respect that people with disabilities know their own needs, and their perspective is the most important as they decide how they want to live, work, and take part in their communities. That is why people with disabilities make up a majority of our board and staff, and our consumers are in charge of every phase of their interaction with us.
We are cross-disability
We work with ALL people with disabilities, helping them seek solutions that work for them.
We are community based
We are embedded in our community, serving Mecklenburg, Gaston, Union, and Cabarrus counties in the southern piedmont region of North Carolina.
Our Services
Advocacy
Our advocates work with individuals, local governments, employers, and businesses, identifying and overcoming barriers to independence to ensure that as a community, all of us have equal access to pursue a fulfilling, rewarding life.
Independent Living Skills
We work with people with disabilities to identify barriers to independence and to empower them to meet their goals for the future, and to live as independently as they choose.
Let's All Go!
The Let’s All Go! program teaches people with disabilities and seniors how to use public transportation in Mecklenburg County, and provides transportation resources that they can use to become more independent and to participate in their community.
Peer Mentoring
Mentors, who also live with disabilities, work with people to reach personalized independent living goals. People are responsible for their own success, but as long as they want to move forward with their lives, our Peer Mentors will be there to assist and support them.
Community Integration
We help people with disabilities achieve the freedom to live where they choose to live, and participate in the community to the level they desire. We work to advance their independence as they face significant transitions in their lives.
Information & Referral
When people are in need of programs and resources in the community beyond what our agency provides, we provide specific information they can use to meet their needs, including ways to contact other organizations that may be able to help them.
Donate
At Disability Rights & Resources, we serve the whole person. Through your tax deductible donation, you can help ensure that we will always be here, ready to serve and advocate with the people who need us. Your generous support will empower people with disabilities to achieve their goals of independent living, and overcome discrimination and physical barriers that stand in the way of living the life they choose.
Get Informed
Disability Rights & Resources hosts the monthly meeting of the Greater Charlotte Advocacy Council for People with Disabilities (GCACPD) over Zoom on the second Thursday of every month, from 10am-12pm.
These meetings are open to the public, and feature community forums and training sessions covering a variety of topics that are relevant to the disability community and how local municipalities can better serve them.
For more information about how to attend these meetings, training topics, or accessibility, click the button below to subscribe to our newsletter. If you require effective communication, we request 72 hours notice.
Mecklenburg Advocacy Council for People with Disabilities (MACPD)
Location:
Charlotte East Business Park
5501 Executive Center Dr, Rm 104
Charlotte, NC 28212
Dates:
Second Thursday of every month
Time:
10am – 12pm
Gaston Advocacy Council for People with Disabilities (GACPD)
Location:
Gaston County Administration Building
3rd Floor Conference Room
128 W. Main Ave
Gastonia, NC 28052
Dates:
Second Wednesday of February, May, August, and November
Time:
1:30pm-3:30pm
Union County Council for People with Disabilities(UCCPD)
Location:
Professional Development Center
Union County Public Schools
721 Brewer Dr Rm 220
Monroe, NC 28112
Dates:
Second Wednesday of March, June, September, and December
Time:
1:30pm-3:30pm
Cabarrus Accessibility Action Council (CAAC)
Location:
Cabarrus Government Center
2nd Floor Council Chambers
65 Church St. SE
Concord, NC 28025
Dates:
Third Friday of January, April, July, and October
Time:
1:30pm-3:30pm
Mecklenburg Advocacy Council for People with Disabilities (MACPD)
Location:
Charlotte East Business Park
5501 Executive Center Dr, Rm 104
Charlotte, NC 28212
Dates:
Second Thursday of every month
Time:
10am – 12pm
Gaston Advocacy Council for People with Disabilities (GACPD)
Location:
Gaston County Administration Building
3rd Floor Conference Room
128 W. Main Ave
Gastonia, NC 28052
Dates:
Second Wednesday of February, May, August, and November
Time:
1:30pm-3:30pm
Union County Council for People with Disabilities(UCCPD)
Location:
Professional Development Center
Union County Public Schools
721 Brewer Dr Rm 220
Monroe, NC 28112
Dates:
Second Wednesday of March, June, September, and December
Time:
1:30pm-3:30pm
Cabarrus Accessibility Action Council (CAAC)
Location:
Cabarrus Government Center
2nd Floor Council Chambers
65 Church St. SE
Concord, NC 28025
Dates:
Third Friday of January, April, July, and October
Time:
1:30pm-3:30pm
Diversity & Inclusion
At Disability Rights & Resources, a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all employees and volunteers, whatever their disability, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or education are valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites. We respect diverse life experiences to ensure that all voices are valued and heard.