ABLE NH

The ABLE Mental Health task force is dedicated to understanding the needs of people with IDD and mental health conditions. If you are interested in joining the Mental Health task force, please contact Creighton at creighton@ablenh.org.

This series has featured speakers including Emmanuel Jenkins, local caregivers and parents, and a panel of mental health support professionals throughout NH.

If you were unable to join Revive and Thrive during the live sessions, you can now watch ALL of them online, free of charge.

Revive and Thrive is a virtual, interactive, educational series created by Julie Lago, LICSW, MSW of Connections All Ways, PLLC.

Revive and Thrive: Supporting Your Mental Health During Times of Uncertainty Hosted by ABLE NH's Mental Health Task Force A virtual, interactive, educational series supporting emotional wellness for all. Thank you for joining us! Recordings available via ablenh.org Session Recordings Available: • Remaining Emotionally Available Without Being Emotionally Compromised • Hello My Name Is... Understanding the Whole-Person Needs of those with IDD Mental Health Needs • The Impact, The Action: A Self-Reflection of Lived Experience • Parent and Caregiver Panel Discussion • Mental Health Resources in NH: An Overview

Watch the recordings: youtube.com/playlist?lis...

We are thrilled to share the ABLE NH Mental Health task force's Revive and Thrive series! Recordings of all five sessions can be found on our YouTube channel and on our website at ablenh.org/current-init....

Questions about getting involved? Reach out to organizer@ablenh.org for more information!

There are so many ways to be a part of our work and community. Zoom links for all meetings except the Rainbow Connection Support Group can be found on our Community Calendar at ablenh.org/events/

ABLE NH October 2025 Meetings Advocate NH Task Force Monday, October 6th at 2 PM Oral Health Care Task Force Wednesday, October 1st at 6 PM Mental Health Task Force Thursday, October 2nd at 6 PM Rainbow Connection Group Monday, October 13th at 6 PM Housing Task Force Monday, October 13th at 7 PM

ABLE NH October 2025 Meetings ABLE Annual Meeting Wednesday, October 8th at 6 PM ABLE NH Seacoast Chapter Wednesday, October 15th at 7 PM Transportation Equity Task Force Wednesday, October 22nd at 3 PM Civic Engagement Task Force Thursday, October 23rd at 7:30 PM

Want to get involved with disability advocacy? Join a task force, attend our Annual Meeting on 10/8 (it's open to the public! Email
creighton@ablenh.org to RSVP if you're not an ABLE member!), or check out the Rainbow Connection Support Group for LGBTQ+ folks with disabilities.

Not an official member yet but want to have a vote at the Annual Meeting? Become a member today! You can learn more about membership on our website at ablenh.org.

To RSVP so that you'll receive reminders and materials as the meeting approaches, please send a message to creighton@ablenh.org

Your input has significantly shaped our 2025 priorities.

We invite you to attend our 2025 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, October 8th from 6-8 PM via Zoom. This meeting is open to the public, and all current ABLE NH members are eligible to cast votes.

ABLE NH Annual Meeting October 8, 2025 6-8 PM Virtual via Zoom RSVP for meeting link & materials: Email creighton@ablenh.org

Mark your calendars for ABLE NH's 2025
Annual Meeting!

ABLE NH's Annual Meeting is a time for us to share about the work we've done in the past year, seek community feedback on the direction of our advocacy, and elect members to positions on our Board of Directors.

Don't miss this educational and interactive workshop on mental health on September 24th.

If you represent a mental health resource that should be shared in this workshop, message us before tomorrow to discuss!

Revive and Thrive: Supporting Your Mental Health During Times of Uncertainty Hosted by ABLE NH's Mental Health Task Force Join us for a virtual interactive education series, supporting emotional wellness for all. 6:00-7:30PM Via Zoom 24 SEPT. Mental Health Resources in NH: An Overview Recordings available via ablenh.org

TOMORROW at 6PM: the final installation of our Revive and Thrive series! Join us for a wide-ranging conversation on mental health resources in New Hampshire!

Sign up today at this link: app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php...

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

Participants may join on Zoom at: us02web.zoom.us/j/84389460204 or by using Meeting ID 843 8946 0204. For those who need one, a calendar invite can be copied from the ABLE NH Community Calendar at ablenh.org/events/

This online event will cover what you need to know about New Hampshire’s Volunteer Driver Initiative through a presentation and Q+A. Attendees will receive a one-pager on regional coverage, provider contact information, rules for ridership, and costs.

VOLUNTEER DRIVER PROGRAMS: The Gift of Community Transportation Join ABLE NH's Transportation Equity Task Force for a Lunch & Learn on New Hampshire's Volunteer Driver Initiative. This event will include a presentation and Q+A. Attendees will receive a one-pager on regional coverage, provider contact information, rules for ridership, and costs. Featured Speakers Jennifer Rabalais, Co-Director, Center on Aging and Community Living (CACL), UNH Institute on Disability Allan Gillis, Executive Director, Community Volunteer Transportation Company (CVTC) Mark your calendars for: September 19, 12-1 PM Zoom Meeting ID 843 8946 0204 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84389460204 Contact: creighton@ablenh.org Website: ablenh.org Instagram: @able.nh X: @ablenh1

ABLE NH’s Transportation Equity Task Force will host its monthly Lunch & Learn on September 19th, 12:00-1:00 PM. Did you know that many regions in NH have a network of volunteer drivers who can bring you on pre-arranged trips for things like chores and activities?

Questions about getting involved? Reach out to organizer@ablenh.org for more information!

There are so many ways to be a part of our work and community. Zoom links for all meetings except the Rainbow Connection Support Group can be found on our Community Calendar at ablenh.org/events/

ABLE NH September 2025 Meetings Advocate NH Task Force No meeting on Labor Day Monday, September 15th at 2 PM Oral Health Care Task Force Wednesday, September 3rd at 6 PM Mental Health Task Force Thursday, September 4th at 6 PM Rainbow Connection Group Monday, September 8th at 6 PM Housing Task Force Monday, September 8th at 7 PM

ABLE NH September 2025 Meetings Monthly Board Meeting Wednesday, September 10th at 6 PM ABLE NH Seacoast Chapter Wednesday, September 17th at 7 PM Transportation Equity Task Force Wednesday, September 24th at 3 PM Civic Engagement Task Force Thursday, September 25th at 7:30 PM

Want to get involved with disability advocacy? Join one of ABLE NH's task forces, attend a monthly board meeting (they're open to the public!), or check out the Rainbow Connection Support Group for LGBTQ+ folks with disabilities.

Julie has boldly lead our Mental Health task force and Revive and Thrive attendees through a heartfelt series on emotional and mental wellbeing for individuals dually diagnosed with IDD and a mental health condition. We have two more sessions left, and we hope that you join us!

Revive and Thrive: Supporting Your Mental Health During Times of Uncertainty Hosted by ABLE NH's Mental Health Task Force Join us for a virtual interactive education series, supporting emotional wellness for all. 6:00-7:30PM Via Zoom Scan to Register - Recordings available via ablenh.org August 27 Parent and Caregiver Panel Discussion September 24 Mental Health Resources in NH: An Overview

✍️ Register: ablenh.org/revive-and-thrive/

🚨 Upcoming Event: Join us for the last two monthly installments of Revive and Thrive, an educational interactive virtual series hosted by Julie Lago, MSW and LICSW of Connections All Ways, PLLC.

Statement on SB 287 On Friday, August 1, Governor Kelly Ayotte signed SB 287 into law, a harmful measure that will make it harder for Granite Staters to vote absentee.

This bill will force voters to notarize applications, submit photocopies of IDs, or travel in person just to request an absentee ballot. This will disproportionately harm disabled voters, seniors, and rural communities who already face barriers to the ballot box. At the same time, we celebrate a major step toward inclusion: the signing of HB 67, which requires every city, town, and school district to provide accessible voting systems in local elections. This means voters with disabilities will now have safe, secure, and private options to vote in every election, not just state or federal ones.

While HB 67 is a victory for accessibility, SB 287 and SB 218 are a setback for voting rights. We must continue working toward a voting system that is inclusive, practical, and equitable for every Granite Stater - where no one has to choose between their rights and their ability to participate in democracy.

Our Statement on SB 287

An update from Louis: "Hey everybody, I just bumped into Olivia here from Open Democracy, we actually just delivered over 100 [postcards] total to protect disability rights and disability voting rights. Thank you!"

"Thank you all for writing these in, and thank you all for getting your voices heard and appreciated. Let's see if this works."

"And now we have to get to work, because pride is just the spark that leads to justice, and I have here all these cards that we are going to walk up to Gov Ayotte's office right now to veto SB287." (cont'd)

Louis said: "Hey everybody, I just wanna thank you all for showing up last weekend. What an amazing event, I am humbled by all of our support and I am humbled by the progress that disability pride has made throughout our state." (cont'd below)

Olivia of OpenDemocracy holding postcards asking Governor Ayotte to veto SB 287 in front of the NH State House

Our Executive Director, Dr. Louis Esposito, arrived at the State House with approximately 50 postcards asking Governor Ayotte to #VetoSB287. We were joined by Olivia from Open Democracy, who doubled our efforts to protect disability rights and absentee ballot access.

"And the requirement of photo ID would provide an undue, extra step, [al hindrance to allow me to legally vote here in New Hampshire, and I have been a legal voter here in NH since age 18 in 1976."

"I am Tom, Thomas Charles Wood, a registered voter here in the town of Derry, here in New Hampshire. I oppose NH SB287 for the following reasons. One, it would disenfranchise me, a 67-year-old elderly retired adult who has lifelong physical and developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy and autism."

We want to share the words of an ABLE Member, Tom "Woody" Wood, who spoke about the importance of vetoing SB287 and standing up for equal ballot access. We hope that Governor Ayotte will honor the popular will of Granite Staters and #VetoSB287

Read his statement below: