The Pandemic Has Opened Up Civic Life to Vermonters With Disabilities

Not long after she ran for the state legislature in 2018, Kate Larose slipped during an ice storm and hit her head. She was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.

Until then, the St. Albans resident had lived an active civic life — volunteering for political campaigns, working with activist organizations and engaging with local government. But she soon found that the auditory and visual stimulus of a crowded conference room or a rowdy march overwhelmed her brain.

"I realized this was not something I could do in my new reality. For a long time, a lot of my community and political activity was just shut down," Larose said. "Then the pandemic happened, and my whole world of community involvement opened up again because of the virtual opportunities."

The spread of COVID-19 has threatened the health, economic security and social connections of many Vermonters. But for some members of the disability community, it's provided new opportunities to take part in previously inaccessible activities. They can phone-bank from home, join remote campaign meetings and even take part in legislative committee hearings.

Read more: https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/the-pandemic-has-opened-up-civic-life-to-vermonters-with-disabilities/Content?oid=31530761