Accessible Charlotte

10/05/2026

Local, quality affordable work by my friend ❤️

10/02/2026

Overdue!

For a decade, wheelchair users on Medicare who wanted a titanium or carbon fiber frame have had to cover the entire cost themselves.

That's changing. On Sept. 30, the Senate passed the Choices for Increased Mobility Act (H.R. 1703). It cleared the House in July, and now it heads to the president's desk.

Once it becomes law, Medicare must create separate billing codes for carbon fiber and titanium frames by Jan. 1, 2028, so you pay only the difference for an ultralight frame. It costs taxpayers nothing.

This happened because of you. Advocates carried this bill into congressional offices at Roll on Capitol Hill, then kept the pressure on with messages to their senators.

Thank you to Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Rep. John Joyce, R-Pa., for leading the way.

We'll keep you posted as the bill is signed and as Medicare builds the new codes. Follow along for updates. And in the meantime, join our Grassroots Advocacy Network to continue the momentum: https://unitedspinal.org/grassroots-advocacy-network/

10/02/2026

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department 👀👀

When an autistic child or adult goes missing, the first hours matter, and the people searching need to know where to look and how to approach.

Starting today, Maryland’s LEAD Act requires that police training include how to support people with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and dementia. That includes how to locate someone who is wandering or missing, how to search near bodies of water, sensory-aware approaches, reunification with family, documentation and coordination between agencies. The training is required for new officers at the academy, and the state’s police training commission will decide how it’s rolled out to officers already serving.

It won’t change every encounter overnight, but water is one of the biggest fears for families of kids who wander, and it’s now written into how Maryland police are trained.

Does your local police department train officers on autism? 👇

📰 : Maryland General Assembly, HB 634 (Chapter 658, 2026)

10/01/2026

If you came to last night’s showing of CARS I’d love your feedback!

Take my survey:

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

09/28/2026

A Charlotte mother says her autistic son wandered away from Long Creek Elementary School in May after an incident during lunch in the school’s cafeteria.

Details --> https://bitl.to/640B

09/26/2026

Free & local deaf movie night!

You can help us set the scene for DEAFinitely Movie Night! 🌟🎥

Our event checklist includes supplies, snacks and drinks, comfort and accessibility items, and everything needed to create meaningful community connections. By shopping our Amazon Wish List, you can help us check off the items needed for an enjoyable outdoor movie night.

Event details:

📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026
⏰ Games and activities: 6:00 PM
🎬 Movie: 8:00 PM
🎟️ Free admission
💬 Captions provided
🍿 Free popcorn and water

The movie title will be announced by email closer to the event. Email [email protected] to receive the title and event updates.

Tap the link below, choose an item from our Amazon Wish List, and help us welcome the Deaf community to a memorable night of fun and connection! ⬇️

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2EJTTWMDXRZ4D?ref_=wl_share