Elevate the Spectrum

The Disability Coalition’s annual pre-legislative-session forum will be held at the CNM Workforce Training Center, 5600 Eagle Rock Ave. NE in Albuquerque, on Saturday, January 10, 2026.  The forum is a great opportunity to learn about issues that will be coming up in the 2026 session of the New Mexico Legislature and to network with other members of the disability community. 

The event will include a morning plenary and breakout sessions in the afternoon.  The doors will open for check-in at 8:30 and the forum will run from 9:00 to 3:30.  Lunch will be provided.

The morning plenary session will cover the following topics:

• The state budget, with a focus on funding for disability agencies and programs,
• What’s going on at the federal level and impacts on people with disabilities and disability programs,
• An update on the Martinez/Yazzie lawsuit and education for students with disabilities
• An update on behavioral health planning and programs under SB 3, the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act passed by the Legislature in the 2025 session, and
• An overview of legislation expected in the 2026 legislative session.

Our lunch speaker will be Rep. Kathleen Cates of Rio Rancho, who represents Bernalillo and Sandoval counties and is a legislative champion on disability issues

In the afternoon, there will be two rounds of concurrent sessions covering a range of topics of interest to the disability community.  Information on the afternoon workshops will be available soon, so be sure to check back!

The registration fee for the forum is $35 for individuals and $60 for professionals.  This includes lunch, refreshments, and a packet of materials. To register for the forum, please visit: https://givebutter.com/Y2leKt

*Note: Personal information will not be shared. The demographic information collected on the registration page is requested by the federal grantor funding this event.

Disability Rights Awareness Day at the State Capitol

Gather with us at the Capitol on Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 for Disability Rights Awareness Day at the Roundhouse!

A drop-in clinic with Disability Rights New Mexico will be available (room and time to be announced) and an educational presentation from the NM Developmental Disabilities Council will be held in room 315 from 10 am – 12 pm. There is no charge or registration required to join the roundhouse day events.

Elevate The Spectrum, Inc is a proud sponsor of Disability Rights Awareness Days 2026. Funding is provided by NM DDC federal program funds.

For questions, please contact Policy@ElevateTheSpectrum.org

Disability Rights Awareness Days is a project of The Disability Coalition. Members include: The NM Developmental Disabilities Council, Disability Rights New Mexico, The ARC of New Mexico, New Vistas, and Independent Living Resource Center. To learn more about The Disability Coalition, please visit: https://drnm.org/public-policy/

Please consider sponsoring this important event.  DRAD is a great way to network with other agencies, corporations and consumers while gaining a better understanding of the issues facing New Mexicans with disabilities. DRAD sponsors will have an exhibit-table at the CNM Workforce Training Center for the January 11 pre-legislative-session forum.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Sanchez at Policy@ElevateTheSpectrum.org.