Ray Hemachandra and Our Voice director Rita Nugent discuss the epidemic of sexual violence harming people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on the podcast “Raising Our Voices.”
Author: Ray Hemachandra
Ray Hemachandra is a management and messaging strategist and consultant for businesses and organizations. He works with leaders and teams on effective strategic vision, analysis, and planning; holistic brand identity and integrity; audience-centric perspective and communication; staff development and well-being; and authentic realization of inclusion and diversity in organizational policies and culture.
Ray emphasizes values of community, connection, belonging, and respect in his work. He serves on numerous organizational and government boards and advisory groups, with much of this work centered on social justice, autism, disability, and mental health, and also serves on several nonprofit and government grant-review committees. He speaks at colleges, universities, and conferences, especially about autism and intellectual and developmental disability. Ray has been a magazine and book editor and publisher and has written for newspapers, magazines, and online platforms.
Ray lives with his son, Nicholas Hemachandra, in Asheville, North Carolina.
200, 250, 300, 350 … on the Semiquincentennial
Reflecting on the passing of time and establishing intention with the Bicentennial, the Semiquincentennial, and the Tricentennial, on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
My Son at 25: Autism, IDD, and Choosing One’s Path
Autistic adults—and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities more generally—should have far more agency than they often do in choosing their activities, their relationships, and the substance and direction of their lives.
Kerri Eaker on intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) support, connection, community, and joy
My dear friend Kerri Eaker was a longtime advocate for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and … More
We are dehumanizing our Hispanic and Latino neighbors and friends. Let’s stop.
When we criminalize ethnic and racial identities, we always regret it.
Vision, Action, and Justice: My talk upon receiving the Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award
Ray Hemachandra’s talk upon receiving the 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 any 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.
