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Empowering Self-Advocacy for Disabilities

People First is a self-advocacy organization for individuals with developmental disabilities, promoting their rights, responsibilities, and self-determination. Join to speak up, learn, educate, and change perceptions.

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Empowering Self-Advocacy for Disabilities

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  1. Funded by: West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council

  2. People First is... A self-advocacy organization for people with developmental disabilities that… is run by people with developmental disabilities teaches people how to speak up for themselves and be self-determined in their lives

  3. MISSION “To promote self-advocacy by speaking and acting on behalf of the rights and responsibilities of all people with developmental disabilities.”

  4. How Did We Get Here? • 1991 – 1st Self-Advocacy Grant awarded to The Arc of Wood County • First Coordinator was hired • WV People First Conference started • 2008 – 2ND Self-Advocacy Grant awarded to The Arc of West Virginia • Same Coordinator was Re-Hired • WV People First Conference in it’s 18th Year • New Chapters Being Formed • Structured Network Developing! • 2009 & 2010 – Grant was Renewed • Focus on highschool students and young adults • Strengthen existing chapters & start new ones

  5. History of People First Worldwide movement Adopted & promoted by all state, national and worldwide disability networks The Arc of the United States United Cerebral Palsy Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered US Developmental Disabilities Councils WV Developmental Disability Council WV Fairshake Network National Down Syndrome Society Autism Speaks

  6. Why Would You Join People First? Make sure we are treated with dignity and respect Learn how to speak for ourselves on issues important to our lives Educate ourselves on how to be our own advocate Change perceptions to be viewed as equals and contributing members of society

  7. Treated With Dignity & Respect Given age-appropriate activities Adults are treated as adults Not treated as “perpetual children” Opportunities for inclusive activities with our peers & neighbors, not segregated because of disability Portrayed as valued citizens, not “pitiful”, “suffering”, or “pathetic” Referred to using People First Language

  8. Speaking for Myself Nothing About Us…Without Us! Being given the opportunity to provide input on decisions affecting my life. Learning how to speak for ourselves to make our own decisions and defend our rights Learning how to speak up for someone who cannot speak for themselves

  9. Educate Ourselves Learn our rights, rules, and responsibilities as citizens Learn about the government and how to fight for legislation Access tips and tools to build and develop positive self-esteem Develop skills and identify resources needed to take charge of our daily lives

  10. Change Perceptions Have opportunities to build friendships and long-term relationships Be employed in “real” jobs and receive “real” wages – not leftovers Be given meaningful, volunteer opportunities

  11. We are People First, our potential cannot be defined by our disability labels More important than our disabilities, are our interests, strengths, and personalities We have the right to live, learn, work, play and worship with those we choose to, not those we have to Why Self-Advocacy?

  12. Why is Self-Advocacy important? Adults with disabilities are often treated like children. We aren’t given the chance to be a part of the decisions made about our own lives. Those helping us, sometimes hide our rights from us. We become labels, instead of the person we are. We aren’t given the chance to live in the community.

  13. What Self-Advocacy is NOT It is not getting everything handed to you. It is not having someone else make your decisions. It is not having someone else take responsibility for your actions and decisions. It is not having people feeling sorry for you.

  14. How can you/your organization help promote this movement? • Commit to the “People First” mindset • Use People First Language in all programs and activities! • Treat adults as adults! • View and promote people with disabilities as valued members of society, not as “special”, objects of “pity”, or in constant need of being “taken care of”. • Ask their opinion!

  15. People First of West Virginia 912 Market St. Parkersburg, WV 26101 304-422-3151, ext. 106 www.peoplefirstwv.org kevin.smith@peoplefirstwv.org

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