Civic Responsibility at EPIC to Build the Next Generation of Disability Leaders
This is a special guest post by Krystal Linn, Worcester Youth Programs Specialist at EPIC.
With the 2024 election upon us, many people are discussing the importance of civic engagement and voting. However, at EPIC, this is not a conversation reserved for the weeks before an election. Civic responsibility is a pillar of the EPIC Service Warrior program. Breaking down the barriers to political involvement for disabled youth is woven into the EPIC program. With the diversity of EPIC youth in the Boston and Worcester programs, there is also a natural variety of political backgrounds and ideals. EPIC creates a safe place for open discussion and study. As the politics of disability is personal, EPIC creates a stage for future disability advocates to take shape and create change for the disability community.
Each year, in Boston and Worcester, youth visit their team City Hall, participate in mock city hall council meetings, meet with local politicians, learn about accessible voting, and pre-register or register to vote. However, political literacy isn’t a one-time subject regulated to a single event on the EPIC Service Year calendar. It is a topic taught throughout the 13-month program, with such workshops as Disability History, Disability Pride, Martin Luther King Day events, Public Speaking, and Self-Advocacy.
According to a report from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and Rutgers University, 15.8 million voters with disabilities voted in the 2022 election. Voter participation for people with disabilities is generally lower than for others: turnout for people with disabilities was 1.5% lower than all voters in 2022. Voters with disabilities continue to face challenges in voting, with 14.28% of voters in the 2022 election with disabilities reported encountering difficulties in voting. In comparison, 100% of eligible EPIC youth graduates are registered voters, and 85% of EPIC youth reported voting in the last election. In addition, 80% of Service Warrior graduates demonstrated an improved understanding of diversity and social justice.
During each political cycle, breaking down the barriers to accessible voting becomes a focus of concern for EPIC youth in both the Greater Boston and Worcester communities. By exposing youth to accommodations such as mail-in voting, early voting, and learning how to use the AutoMark Voting machines, we can assure youth with disabilities that, not only does their voice matter, but that being heard is within reach of each young adult with disabilities. As we continue to close the gap in voting for people with disabilities, EPIC youth are community leaders in civic youth advocacy.
EPIC is hosting a virtual youth group for the 2024 Election on Tuesday, October 29th at 5pm. To support young people in making their voting plan before they cast their ballots. This session is open to all voting-eligible young adults with disabilities in MA between the ages of 18 to 26. Click here to learn more.
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Voters with Disabilities