REV UP is a program from the American Association of People with Disabilities with the mission to build the power of the disability vote through increasing civic engagement in the disability community and improving the accessibility of elections. REV UP stands for “Register, Educate, Vote, Use your Power!” Through a competitive grant-application process, WACDA received funds to host the Candidate Forum.

We would love to hear from you! Contact us at office@wacda.com or call +1 206-428-3172 for more information.

While people with disabilities may attend general forums, a dedicated forum ensures their specific concerns, which are often overlooked, are directly addressed. It provides a platform for candidates to demonstrate their understanding of disability issues and articulate concrete plans for inclusion, accessibility, and equity. This forum is one important step forward in creating a coalition and advocating for our issues with elected officials.

All registered candidates for Seattle City Council have been invited to participate. The forum will be moderated and feature a structured Q&A with the candidates. Questions will be selected in advance from the discussions with the disability community and will either be asked by the moderator or community representatives.

The event is focused on the hearing the voices of people with disabilities in the greater Seattle area who face physical and programmatic barriers to enjoying a full and inclusive life, as well as family members, caregivers, and support systems that advocate for their inclusion.

Absolutely. In the United States, approximately one in four adults live with a disability, making it the nation's largest minority group. This represents a substantial voting bloc with unique perspectives and needs that warrant direct engagement from candidates.

It is important to us that the event is as accessible as possible. Leading up to the event, our outreach and event advertising will use plain language and accessible design. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and we will have ASL interpreters and a livestream option. Within the registration for the event, we will also include a space to note specific accessibility concerns.