Disability
advocates
Disability Advocates of Northwest North Carolina is a non-profit organization that assists individuals with disabilities to obtain social security disability and related benefits. Our work empowers individuals with disabilities and those experiencing homelessness and allows them to live more secure, stable, and independent lives.
Who We Are
What We Do
About Us
- Assist individuals with disabilities with their applications for Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare and Medicaid benefits
- Help individuals to overcome homelessness through efforts to link individuals to benefits for which they qualify
- Educate and work cooperatively with area churches and the general community about the needs of and resources for individuals who are disabled
Formerly known as Triad Disability Advocates, our organization was founded in the 1990s by Kermit Bailey, an Episcopal deacon. Disability Advocates started as an organization that helped individuals with disabilities and those experiencing homelessness to obtain disability benefits. We continue to serve as a bridge to enable individuals in need to obtain the financial means to overcome homelessness and barriers to treatment.
Disability Advocates seeks to partner with the Winston-Salem community to ensure reduced or no-cost access to Social Security disability advocacy and community resources.
our staff
Amanda J. Fitzgerald, JD
Executive Director
Amanda joined Disability Advocates in July 2021. She brings a legal background and 13+ years of non-profit and philanthropic experience to the role. Amanda’s goal with Disability Advocates is to actualize the Board of Directors’ Strategic Plan, build the organization’s client base, and develop non-profit partnerships.
Attorneys
Disability Advocates works with veteran disability attorneys to represent clients at the Administrative Law Judge and Appeals Council levels of the disability application process.
Board Of Directors
Fleming El-Amin – Board Vice Chair, Former Forsyth County Commissioner for District A
Elizabeth Laughter – Managing Director, Client Service, Verger Capital Management
Tyler Pruitt – Instructional Technologist, Wake Forest University
Matthew Sadowski – Musician, Bull City Ciderworks
Paulette Smith – Board Treasurer, Office Administrator, Trinity Presbyterian Church
Jennifer Szescula – Grants and Contracts Manager, Wake Forest University
Craig Thomas, CFA – Co-Chief Investment Officer, Verger Capital Management
Dr. Quiteya Walker, LPCA, NCC, CRC – Board Chair, Professor of Rehabilitation Studies, Winston-Salem State University
Tricia Walker – Investment Reporting Manager, Verger Capital Management
Alison Westbrook – Forsyth County Department of Social Services, Adult Medicaid
Patrice Williams – Board Secretary, Communications Coordinator, Crossnore Communities for Children
Support our organization
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Disability Advocates by clicking the Donate Now button. Funds raised through private dollars allow us to offer advocacy services free of charge to eligible individuals.
Information about our organization and our filing status can be found here.
We are always looking to expand our community partnerships so that we can work together to truly affect people’s lives. Feel free to contact us through the link below.
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Hope is everything
Your generosity makes our work possible. Whether you contribute financially or as advocate for good, you make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives.
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How to start?
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We are here to help!
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Client Testimonials:
My lawyers team was great and I would recommend to anyone. Ms. Amanda was very great at what she does and they really care about their clients. Thank you. – RM