NEWS & MEDIA

89.1 WEMU | April 15, 2026 

Detroit Disability Power's Eric Welsby spoke with WEMU reporter Ana Longoria about voter accessibility gaps at Ann Arbor polling locations. Of the 23 Election Day sites observed during the November election, only two met all four basic accessibility standards. Welsby points to Voter Assist Terminal preparation — plugged-in headphones, proper positioning, and worker training — as the most cost-effective path to making polling places truly inclusive for voters with disabilities. 

The Metro | April 8, 2026

Detroit Disability Power's Eric Welsby and disability advocate Bakpak Durden joined WDET's Robyn Vincent on The Metro to discuss findings from our 2025 poll accessibility audit — and why the percentage of fully accessible polling places keeps declining. With only 10% of audited sites meeting basic legal standards (down from 13% in 2024), they dig into what those numbers mean for disabled voters and what it feels like to be part of a community treated as an afterthought. 

Facebook | February 18, 2026 

Detroit Disability Power's Eric Welsby spoke alongside Representative Dievendorf and other activists for the introduction of the SAFER Act (HB 5554 & 5555) which amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act to clearly define harassment and provide better protections to students experiencing harrassment and bullying.

The Metro | November 5, 2025

Detroit Disability Power's Eric Welsby joined WDET's Robyn Vincent on The Metro to talk about what disabled voters encountered during Michigan's midterm election, both during early voting and on Election Day itself. Despite legal protections guaranteeing equal access, audits continued to find widespread barriers at polling sites across metro Detroit. Welsby discusses what was observed on the ground and what needs to change before the next election. 

Office of the Governor | October 14, 2025

Michigan Governor Whitmer announced appointments to a number of boards and commissions including the appointment of Detroit Disability Power's Eric Welsby to the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council.

Mother Jones | August 18, 2025

When President Trump announced plans to sign an executive order targeting mail-in voting, Mother Jones reached out to disability rights advocates for their response. Detroit Disability Power's Eric Welsby is quoted on why absentee voting is essential for disabled voters — not everyone can take the time needed to vote in person on Election Day. The piece explores how restrictions on mail-in ballots would disproportionately impact disabled and aging voters who rely on absentee voting to participate in democracy.

The Metro | August 13 2025

Detroit Disability Power's Eric Welsby joined WDET's Robyn Vincent on The Metro to push back on claims by Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey that fewer than five city polling places have accessibility problems. Detroit Disability Power's own 2025 audit of 167 polling locations told a very different story — half had accessibility issues with entrances and doorways, and 70% had problems with Voter Assist Terminals. Welsby explains what the data actually shows and why the gap between official claims and on-the-ground reality matters for disabled voters heading into November. 

The Metro | June 18, 2025

With absentee voting underway ahead of Michigan's August 2025 primary, Detroit Disability Power's Eric Welsby joined WDET's The Metro to discuss what accessible voting looks like (and what it should look like) for the roughly 30% of metro Detroit voters who have a disability. Drawing on DDP's finding that only 13% of nearly 300 surveyed polling locations were fully accessible in 2024, Welsby outlines what it will take to close the gap before voters head to the polls.

Michigan Senate | May 20, 2026

Eric testified before the Senate Committee on Elections and Ethics in support of Senate Bills 961–964, the Michigan Voting Rights Act, on behalf of Detroit Disability Power. Drawing on DDP's 2025 polling place audit, he presented data showing that only 10% of Election Day polling locations met full accessibility standards — a decline from prior years — and urged the committee to advance legislation addressing polling place accessibility, election data transparency, language access, and curbside voting. Full testimony text.

Michigan House of Representatives | December 3, 2024

Eric provided expert testimony before the House Elections Committee regarding the Michigan Voting Rights Act, representing Detroit Disability Power's stance on ensuring accessible voting processes. His presentation offered legislators concrete examples of barriers faced by voters with disabilities and practical solutions incorporated within the proposed legislation. 

Michigan Senate | May 15, 2024

In his capacity with Detroit Disability Power, Eric delivered compelling testimony to the Senate Elections and Ethics Committee on the Michigan Voting Rights Act. His presentation included data-driven insights on disability voter participation and recommendations for strengthening democratic processes to ensure equal access to the ballot for all Michigan citizens.