Free disability rights, Assistive technology event in Charlotte, December 12

[Charlotte, NC] November 4, 2019 — Assistive technology devices offer people with disabilities a better quality of life, but often financing can be an obstacle. On Thursday, December 12, from 6 – 8 p.m., Self-Help Credit Union (SHCU) will host a free event that provides vital information on the rights of people with disabilities in North Carolina and outlines financing options for technology devices.  The program will be held at The NC Assistive Technology Program Center, 5501 Executive Center Drive in Charlotte and features experts in disability rights, offers device demonstrations and gives information on various financing options available.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, just over 6.8 million community-resident Americans use assistive devices to help them with mobility. This group includes 1.7 million wheelchair or scooter riders and millions of users of other mobility devices, such as canes, crutches, and walkers.

Other examples of assistive technologies are:

• Hearing aids.
• Cognitive aids, including computer or electrical assistive devices.
• Computer software and hardware, such as voice recognition programs, screen readers, and screen enlargement applications.

Device demonstrations will be conducted by the North Carolina Assistive Technology Program.

The event is sponsored by Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC). DRNC is a nonprofit legal advocacy organization and our state’s Protection & Advocacy system, with a unique mission to advance the rights of people with all types of disabilities, of all ages, statewide. DRNC uses an array of strategies to create a more integrated and just society, with a critical component being our advocacy on behalf of students with disabilities. Free and open to the public. Dinner provided by Creative Catering, Inc.

Call the Charlotte branch of Self-Help Credit Union at (704) 554-7201, ext. 3040 to reserve your seat by Tuesday, December 3. Please let us know of your accessibility needs when you call.

Self-Help Credit Union is a financial institution that fills the gap for working families, minorities, immigrants and other groups not well served by traditional banks.  We not only make opening and maintaining checking and savings accounts attainable but also offer a range of personal, home and auto loans, financial-literacy courses and other services.

Self-Help Credit Union is part of the Center for Community Self-Help (Self-Help), a leading national community development financial institution headquartered in Durham, NC. Since 1980, Self-Help has provided over $8 billion in financing to 159,000 families, individuals and businesses. It helps drive economic development and strengthen communities by providing responsible financial services; lending to individuals, small businesses and nonprofits; developing real estate; and promoting fair financial practices across the nation. Through its credit union network, Self-Help serves more than 150,000 people in North Carolina, California, Illinois, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin and Florida.

More information about Self-Help Credit Union can be found at self-help.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 4, 2019

For More Information, Contact: 

Jenny Shields, Director of Media Relations, Self-Help Credit Union