The right to vote. We're told it's our privilege and our duty as American citizens. Our chance to use our voice about what we believe is best for ourselves and the people of our country.  

Yet over the years, only about half or less of United States citizens eligible to vote did so in presidential elections. Though the reasons vary, we know some of the people who have not voted include individuals with disabilities who faced barriers when attempting to vote or register to vote.

In 2002, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act to make the voting process more inclusive and accessible. That means that if you are a person with a disability, you have specific legal rights regarding voting.

Emilee Hilbish is a 16-old high school junior in Amarillo, Texas, who has used a wheelchair since she was 10. DRTx has advocated for the teen on several issues, such as having her middle school install an accessible door so she could enter the building without assistance for the first time in her school career. We also worked to make sure locations for Emilee's choir UIL performances and competitions were accessible.  

Most recently, DRTx advocated to have the school district add accessible seating in its million dollar football stadium so she can sit with her friends in the stands.

Emilee was featured in a news story last week on an Amarillo TV station for competing alongside her peers for her first time in a district track meet. (Click here to view the news story.) 

This comes as a result of a US Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights clarification last year in a public statement that under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, students with disabilities have a right to an equal opportunity to participate in school extracurricular activities and the right to reasonable accommodations to allow them to participate.

"I've always been into sports, but I've never been able to get involved until now," said Emilee. "I hope my participation encourages other students with disabilities to do the things they are passionate about and know that they can compete alongside their fellow students."