Interview with Priya Ray
Dublin Core
Title
Interview with Priya Ray
Description
Priya Ray, founder of DIYabled, was interviewed by Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections volunteer Kate Sepp on October 20, 2025. This interview took place over Zoom and was conducted as part of the Come Hell or High Water Oral History Project for Buncombe County Special Collections, Pack Memorial Library.
Ray describes her first impressions of Helene [00:08:56] and difficulties she encountered in the storm’s immediate aftermath, such as getting prescribed medication [00:17:00] and obtaining FEMA resources after evacuating [00:28:01]. She shares how the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies provided support [00:29:34] as well as how community support and ingenuity supported basic needs such as showering and toilet flushing after she returned to Asheville [00:36:54]. In the months following the storm, Priya advocated for improvements to local government communication about non-potable water’s risk to immunocompromised residents [00:46:44] as well as ADA compliance at Community Care Stations [00:54:13]. She concludes by reflecting on feelings of gratitude and exhaustion, as well as her hope that rebuilding plans will include accessibility considerations [01:02:52].
Narrator portrait depicts Priya with her pet dog outside her residence in Asheville, NC, December 17, 2025. Photo by Bill Green Photography. Six additional images contributed by Priya are screenshots of DIYabled Instagram posts shared in the aftermath of Helene.
Ray describes her first impressions of Helene [00:08:56] and difficulties she encountered in the storm’s immediate aftermath, such as getting prescribed medication [00:17:00] and obtaining FEMA resources after evacuating [00:28:01]. She shares how the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies provided support [00:29:34] as well as how community support and ingenuity supported basic needs such as showering and toilet flushing after she returned to Asheville [00:36:54]. In the months following the storm, Priya advocated for improvements to local government communication about non-potable water’s risk to immunocompromised residents [00:46:44] as well as ADA compliance at Community Care Stations [00:54:13]. She concludes by reflecting on feelings of gratitude and exhaustion, as well as her hope that rebuilding plans will include accessibility considerations [01:02:52].
Narrator portrait depicts Priya with her pet dog outside her residence in Asheville, NC, December 17, 2025. Photo by Bill Green Photography. Six additional images contributed by Priya are screenshots of DIYabled Instagram posts shared in the aftermath of Helene.
Date
Rights
Interview copyright Priya Ray and Buncombe County Special Collections. Narrator portrait copyright Bill Green Photography.
Format
Language
English
Identifier
MS456.002I
Extent
1 digital video recording (01:06:41); 1 transcript (28 pages); 7 digital images (1 photographs and 6 screenshots)
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Duration
01:06:41
Interviewer
Kate Sepp
Interviewee
Priya Ray
Collection
Citation
Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections, “Interview with Priya Ray,” Come Hell or High Water Community Memory Project, accessed April 11, 2026, https://helenehistory.omeka.net/items/show/1367.