DRCT’s commitment to connect with diverse populations in the state led DRCT to being the first non-profit state organization, without tribal affiliations, to be invited to the Mashantucket Pequot’s Schemitzun: Feast of Green Corn and Dance event. By fostering diverse relationships, DRCT has been able to enhance its visibility, standing and client base across Connecticut.
In the 2024 fiscal year, DRCT provided outreach at 47 community events, which included forty-three (43) in-person and four (4) virtual webinars. These events reached thousands of people with disabilities, family members, caregivers, and other local community and professional partners. DRCT’s community engagement outreach efforts showed a steady 15% increase from FY 2023, which included an increase in outreach to Black, Brown, and underserved communities.
DRCT continued to expand its network of community partners within unserved and underserved communities, delivering key and integral projects. Some of these projects included but were not limited to: Capital Region Education Council (CREC) Back-to-School Block Party, Walk with Derek: Walk and Resource Fair, Rally for Reentry: Windham County Reentry Council, Bridgeport Disability Resource Fair, CT Town Clerks Association – Spring & Fall Conferences, Celebrate Belonging in your Community – The B.E.R.E.A.D.Y. Project of Torrington, Hartford Yard Goats 5th Annual Trick-or-Treat Event, Transition Fair – Voting and Supported Decision-Making outreach focus of Tolland, The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), Community Access & Equity Fair 2024 A Night Out on Main Street – Watertown Parks & Recreation Block Party, and Willimantic Third Thursday Street Festival.
At these in-person events, DRCT included voting rights advocacy, housing, and legal educational tables and booths which provided information and self-advocacy resources to individuals with disabilities who live in these communities.
Furthermore, the expansion of trainings, clinics, presentations, and community engagement events has enabled DRCT to provide educational and informational outreach to individuals with disabilities throughout all eight Connecticut counties.
Finally, I want to recognize and thank all of our staff for their amazing dedication, passion, and teamwork in advocating and serving the thousands of individuals with disabilities throughout Connecticut’s unserved and underserved communities. It is an honor and privilege to work with all of you!
Michael Whilby is Strategic Partnerships Manager for Disability Rights Connecticut, a statewide non-profit organization with a mission to advocate for the human, civil, and legal rights of people with disabilities in Connecticut. DRCT’s mission is to advocate, educate, investigate and pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies to advance and protect the civil rights of individuals with disabilities to participate equally and fully in all facets of community life in Connecticut.
