ADVOCACY
One of the core services provided by Independent Lifestyles is advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities, their families and care givers. There area wide variety of situations in which Independent lifestyles could be called on to provide advocacy assistance. Advocacy assistance could be provided to the individual consumer on any topic such as employment, education, the "system", and accessibility. Independent Lifestyles provides advocacy on a one-to-one basis providing assistance to the consumer to achieve greater independence. Independent Lifestyles is also committed to advocacy on a systems level addressing and removing barriers for people with disabilities so they can live more independently.
ADVOCACY COMMITTEE
Independent Lifestyles Advocacy Committee includes staff, consumers and community members who join together to support each other in their self-advocacy efforts as well as to address disability issues in the community.
Advocacy Day at the Capitol
About 100 people attended the Day at the Capitol on March 17, 2010. Independent Lifestyles has 12 consumers and staff in attendance. The day began with the group tally in the rotunda where several speakers discussed disability issues. Then consumers and staff had the opportunity to meet with sever al legislators including Senator Tarryl Clark, who was thanked for her continued support of CIL's and people with disabilities. The consumers and staff wrote letter to Gov. Pawlenty in support of funding for people with disabilities. The 12 who went from ILICIL broke into two groups and met with Rep. Larry Haws and Rep. Larry Hosch. All who attended said they had an exciting day meeting with legislators and advocating for people with disabilities.
For Legislative Alerts click the link below
http://capwiz.com/braininjurymn/state/main/?state=MN
To Find your legislators click on the link below
http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/
VOTING IS A CIVIL RIGHT
Do you know how to exercise your right to vote? Have you registered to vote? Do you know how to get assistance with voting? It is important to learn about the issues that affect your life and ask questions of the candidates to know where they stand on issues important in your life.
WHY VOTE YOU ASK?
IF you don't want any input on where you end
up when you become physically unable to take care of yourself -- don't vote
IF you think that an unemployment rate of around 70% for people with
disabilities is just fine -- don't vote
IF the thought of living on $603 (income from SSI) sounds like fun--don't vote.
IF you don't care how people on Medicare get prescription drugs they need --
don't vote
IF you believe that transportation & housing for people with disabilities
couldn't be any better -- don't vote.
IF you live in a country where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and
there are no barriers -- don't vote.
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If the estimated 50 million Americans with disabilities would come together in
one area, politicians of every party would be busting the door down to come and
ask us what we want!
You can say what is important to you by voting?
One vote really can make a difference!
NO MORE EXCUSES JUST DO IT - VOTE!
