Disability Pride 2024

Save the Date! Disability Pride will take place on July 19th, 2024 at Mill Park in Augusta.

Speakers & Performers

We are BLUE ROOM FRANKENSTEIN, the Friday band from Listen Up! Music, in Portland, Maine. We create our own original music and re-create classic hits specific to our own collective experiences as part of our effort to bring inclusivity and positivity to the masses. Just like Frankenstein, we are composed of many disparate parts that, when assembled, form a MONSTER - OF ROCK 'N ROLL!

PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS:

Hannah F. AKA Swifty: Vocals
Andrew McIver AKA Listen Up's McGyver: Vocals
Tom McNally AKA The Cryptid: Guitar, drums, vocals
Mike Ogon AKA J-Dog: Vocals
Chris Perry AKA Fnat the Veggie Boy: Vocals
Paul Sandberg, AKA NO MERCY: Vocals, drums
Ellen Schink, AKA Faux Phil: Keys, drums, vocals
Tyler Westberry AKA Freddy Fritch: Bass, drums, vocals

STAFF SUPPORT:

Zohar Azoulay AKA Turn Down That Amp: Guitar, keys, bass
Liam Stride AKA The Panther: Drums, guitar

Marco Orlando has been involved with Maine's self advocacy organization Speaking Up For Us for nearly 12 years and currently serves as the Vice Chairman on their Board of Directors. He lives in the Bangor-Brewer area with his little boy Oscar, a black longhaired cat with some Maine coon in his bloodline. Marco is someone who likes to challenge what our society thinks they know about people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the preconceived notions they may have about what they think they can and can't do. Through his involvement with Speaking Up For Us, Marco works hard to fight for the changes that people with disabilities want to see to try to make life better for them.

Simonne Maline is currently the Executive Director of the Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM), a statewide organization set into Maine statute to be a voice for mental health consumers in public policy and legislative matters. Simonne has worked for the last 30+ years working as a social worker in a variety of adult mental health settings. Simonne transitioned from traditional services to running peer support programs in Maine, including the statewide warm line, a peer support and recovery center, peer respite and peer support in the emergency department. Simonne has been part of the CCSM since its beginning formative stages as well as sitting on the board. Simonne has presented nationally on topics of integrating peer services into the continuum of mental health services as well as how to engage consumers into public policy areas. Simonne has always been open about living with mental health and substance use challenges daily, which greatly informs her work as an advocate for her fellow peers. Simonne and her husband Walter live in Oakland with their cat Julie.

She’s big, she’s blonde, and she's ready for Pride, It’s Letta the Queen! Letta's fun, fierce, and Maine's #1 fabulous plus size drag queen. She is the 22nd winner of the University of Southern Maines Royal Majesty Drag Competition, and she is a 2024 USM Graduate and now a proud queer Alumni. As a full time Drag Queen, she is bursting with life, ready to wave rainbow flags, sprinkle glitter for the whole world to see, and is excited to be speaking and performing at Disability Pride Maine!

Exhibitors

Frequently Asked Questions

Event Accessibility

The pavilion is a hard, flat, paved surface. Pavement extends beyond the pavilion before the surface of the park turns to level grass.
ASL interpreters will be available throughout the event.
CART will be provided during speeches & musical performances.
Accessible parking will be marked and there will be a drop-off area next to the pavilion. Parking at the venue is limited, so carpooling is encouraged. In addition to Mill Park, parking is available on Canal Street (near the dog park) and Commercial Street (near Downtown).
DRM provides masks at all agency-sponsored events and will make masks available to all attendees.
The event is scent-free.
Ear plugs will be available.
There will be a designated sensory-friendly canopy external to the pavilion.
An accessible portable bathroom is available next to the parking area.

Other accessibility questions? Contact jendicott@drme.org.

Directions

We recommend using “Mill Park Parking, Augusta, ME” as your GPS location.
You can also use the following coordinates: 44°19'16.0"N 69°46'22.2"W

From the South (Via 95-N & 295-N)

Take I-95 / Maine Turnpike North to Exit 112A; stay in left lane to light
Use middle lane after light, continue straight; after second light use left lane
At third light turn left onto Townsend Road, go 0.9 miles
Use right lane to yield sign
Turn right onto Northern Avenue, South 104 for 0.9 miles
Turn left into Mill Park – across from AFC building on right

From the North (Via 95-S)

Take I-95 / Maine Turnpike South to Exit 112 Augusta/Belgrade;
Veer left in middle lane to light; turn left, use right lane
Continue straight; after second light use left lane
At third light turn left onto Townsend Road, go 0.9 miles
Use right lane to yield sign
Turn right onto Northern Avenue, South 104 for 0.9 miles
Turn left into Mill Park – across from AFC building on right

Need Transportation?

Carpool with friends and family!
*Kennebec Explorer* As of April 18, 2023, service for the Kennebec Explorer was significantly reduced. The Health Loop North route is no longer operating. Visit the KVCAP website to learn more about how to schedule a ride.
Go Maine – Learn more at: https://gomaine.org/
Uber/Lyft
Greyhound from Bangor to Augusta

What food will be available?

Pizza! Salad! Desserts!
You are also welcome to bring your own lunch.

I can’t make it, but want to support the event?

Consider making a gift of $25 to DRM!