When we criminalize ethnic and racial identities, we always regret it.
Author: Ray Hemachandra
My talk at this year’s NCCDD Awards Ceremony: the 2025 Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award
Ray Hemachandra’s talk upon receiving the 2025 Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award emphasizes that action to support all Americans and North Carolinians with intellectual and developmental disabilities is urgent and essential regardless of the political moment.
We continue to fail autistic people, across parties and as a country. It’s nothing new.
Autistic children and adults—especially autistic people who are intellectually disabled—are underserved and discriminated against by many autism professionals, including teachers and therapists, and by government officials of both parties.
O Night, Night! Poems by Leathe Colvert Hemachandra in The Messenger
Seven poems by writer and teacher Leathe Colvert—later, Leathe Hemachandra—appeared in The Messenger, an important Black political and literary journal published by A. Philip Randolph and Chandler Owen.
Op-Ed: N.C. needs to fund support services for all its children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in need
North Carolina’s continued underfunding of intellectual and developmental disability services puts generations of North Carolinians with disabilities at risk.
Register to attend an incredible Autistic Adult Panel on Zoom on Monday, April 7
A panel of Autistic Adults will center autistic voices and honor the values and spirit of Autism Acceptance Month.
End the waitlists for services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Ray and Nicholas Hemachandra participated in the North Carolina IDD Legislative Caucus Listening Session and subsequent press conference at the N.C. State Legislative Building on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Here’s what they said about the waitlist for IDD services, with video and photos from the day.
Serving Hispanic and Latino People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
North Carolina discriminates against Hispanic and Latino children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). What are the critical steps needed to make the IDD system, services, and supports accessible and effective for the Hispanic and Latino population?
Atendiendo a personas hispanas y latinas con discapacidad intelectual y del desarrollo (IDD)
Carolina del Norte discrimina a niños y adultos hispanos y latinos con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo (IDD). ¿Cuáles son los pasos críticos necesarios para hacer que el sistema IDD, los servicios y los apoyos sean accesibles y efectivos para la población hispana y latina?
Reducing Pervasive Sexual and Domestic Violence and Abuse Against People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
We must take action now to stop sexual assault and domestic and caregiver violence against intellectually and developmentally disabled people.