The story of Derek, a young Georgian with autism, who is using his art to reach new voters and the disability community that lifts him up.
Must Be Heard Productions, in partnership with Touch The Future, is making a film that tells a story of inspiration and advocacy…and offers hope for the state of our democracy.
As the fiscal sponsor, video|action invites you to be a part of this powerful movement. Your support will help amplify voices in America's largest untapped voting bloc — the disability community and its allies.
Art by Derek Heard
Derek's story provides a roadmap for inspiring people who have felt left out of the democratic process to become champions of voting rights.
Art by Derek Heard
Derek was one of those people. His journey begins when he rebels against adults' low expectations and starts using his art to advocate for voting rights.
A man of few words who thinks in images, Derek finds his voice.
Art by Derek Heard
Derek began using his voice to mentor dozens of students in the "Art for Advocacy" program at Virginia's John Lewis High School, named after the late Georgia congressman and civil rights leader.
John Lewis's fellow civil rights activists, several from Georgia who marched with him for voting rights in the 1960's, shared their riveting stories with the students to inspire their artwork.
In the 1960's the activists were teens themselves. John Lewis was in his 20's, as Derek is today.
Motivated by John Lewis and young activists who fought over the years for voter rights and accessibility, Derek and his students traveled to Selma, Alabama in July to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights March and the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
They shared their art with local Selma High School students, disability leaders and some of the original civil rights foot soldiers at Foot Soldiers Park.
They then walked arm-in-arm across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, pivotal symbol of the 1965 Voting Rights March, with John Lewis's brother and the niece of Jim Letherer. Letherer walked on crutches with Lewis the entire 50 miles from Selma to Montgomery.
Afterward, they reflected on the historical significance of this moment in words, images and videos - all recorded to be a part of the documentary.
In preparation for the 2026 midterm elections, Derek and his John Lewis High School students are creating a universal design voter education campaign, filled with art and steeped in a sense of urgency and history.
And this is just the beginning. Cameras will continue to watch the Georgia disability coalition get out the vote by transforming disengaged and dispirited young people like Derek into deeply informed voting advocates.
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