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 adults 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. While it is part of our mission to assist individuals who are homeless, our client base includes individuals of all income levels, including those previously earning a six-figure income.
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 Fitzgerald joined Disability Advocates in July 2021. She brings a legal background and over 15 years of non-profit and philanthropic experience to the role. Amanda oversees the administration of the organization and works directly with the organization’s Board of Directors to ensure that it fulfills its mission.
Tracy M. Nicholson, Case Manager
Tracy Nicholson joined Disability Advocates in May 2025. She brings 18 years of experience as a paralegal advocate for Legal Aid. In that role, she handled Disability/Medicaid claims, Unemployment Insurance Claims, Subsidized Housing denials, and Individual Education Plans. Tracy works directly with Disability Advocates’ clients and coordinates with contract attorneys for clients with cases at the hearing or Appeals Council levels.
Attorneys
Disability Advocates contracts with experienced, Board Certified Social Security Disability Specialist attorneys to represent our clients at the Administrative Law Judge and Appeals Council levels of the disability process.
Board Of Directors
Fleming El-Amin – Board Chair, Former Forsyth County Commissioner for District A
Ian Burdick, Director of Biopharma Business Strategy, Solesis
Elizabeth Laughter – Board Vice Chair, Managing Director, Client Service, Verger Capital Management
Shawanna Nicole Moore-Geter, Founder/CEO, Counseling with a Purpose, PLLC
Tyler Pruitt – Instructional Technologist, Wake Forest University
Paulette Smith – Board Treasurer, Office Administrator, Trinity Presbyterian Church
Jennifer Szescula – Grants and Contracts Manager, Wake Forest University
Craig Thomas, CFA – Chief Investment Officer, Verger Capital Management
Tricia Walker – Operations Director, Verger Capital Management
Alison Westbrook – Forsyth County Department of Social Services, Adult Medicaid
Patrice Williams – Board Secretary, Communications Director, 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 to eligible individuals who are not otherwise able to obtain representation from a traditional law firm.
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.
Tax ID: 20-2592137
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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
The team at Disability Advocates are my angels. They helped when no one else would. They kept digging and digging to figure it out until I got benefits. I am so happy I can pay my rent and support my family. – OM
If it wasn’t for Disability Advocates, I would still be fighting (to restore my disability benefits). – EM
I do appreciate the help Disability Advocates gave me (to help me get disability benefits). – JC
Words can’t begin to thank you enough for helping my son. This has been such a struggle for me all these years. My son’s mental health issues continue. I am 80 years old now, and the years have taken a toll on me. But, you have given me such a gift by helping my son. Maybe for the first time in years, I can finally find some peace. – LM