Disability: IN North Carolina (DI-NC) marks the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by hosting a roundtable on disaster preparedness for people with disabilities. Less than two years ago, hurricane Helene devastated North Carolina, leaving lasting scars—lives lost, homes destroyed, and communities in turmoil, especially in Western NC.
Our moderator, Dr. Kapriskie Seide, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Davidson College, brings deep personal and academic experience. After surviving the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Dr. Seide focused her research on adults with acquired physical disabilities, exploring how social inequality impacts their health and lives. The round table features two women whose leadership during and after the hurricane saved lives—especially among displaced people with disabilities.
Lauren Howard, Director of the North Carolina Office on Disability and Health, leads efforts to improve access and participation for people with disabilities. With 27 years of public health experience and a master’s from UNC Chapel Hill, she has transformed disability services in North Carolina.
LaDonna Huffaker, Workforce Engagement Manager for NCDHHS, holds a Master of Public Health from UNC’s Gillings School and a bachelor’s from Brevard College. While Lauren coordinated efforts from Raleigh, LaDonna, Workforce Engagement Manager for NCDHHS, was in Asheville, responding directly to needs raised by people with disabilities, service providers, and local communities. Huffaker ensured people with disabilities were checked on and that emergency shelters met their access needs, exemplifying hands-on leadership in crisis.
During hurricane Helene’s recovery, Lauren led daily video conferences from the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center, keeping the needs of people with disabilities a top priority. LaDonna’s outreach guaranteed accessible support for those at risk. Together, they made sure people with disabilities stayed at the forefront of recovery efforts, earning the 2025 Kerri Eaker Mountain Mover Award.
Please join us on July 22, 2026, from 11:30am to 1:00pm EST.
Virtual event. Registration required at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/8q2schk.
For more information contact: Pat@di-nc.org or Beth@di-nc.org