WORKING AS EQUALS, MAKING CHANGE, IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITY AND WORLD Emily Rogers, Noah Seidel, Brian Dahl

What’s happening in Washington?  Washington has three main Self-Advocacy groups:  People First of Washington State  Self- Advocates of Washington (SAW)  Self Advocates in Leadership (SAIL)  SAIL is funded by a grant from the DDC  It is administered by the Arc of Washington and lead by their Self Advocacy coordinator. The SAIL membership dictates what the group works on.

Allies in Advocacy  Allies in Advocacy is a group that was created as a result of the 2012 Self-Advocacy Summits held across the country and territories.  It is compromised of members of the three self Advocacy groups and Network partners.  The group members share equal partnership in how the group functions  The Allies group is the only place where all three DD Network Partners come together to support self- advocacy/civil rights

Proclamation on the Dignity and Rights of All Human Beings  In the last few years we’ve drafted A Proclamation for the Dignity and Rights of all Human Beings which follows the themes of both the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We wanted to do this to make sure our voices are heard so that the rights of ALL can be respected.  Received technical assistance from Andy Imparato of AUCD.

Proclamation on the Dignity and Rights of All Human Beings  The proclamation is meant to be a encompass a standard of human rights for all people.  After going across the state seeking input on how people viewed equal power self-determination. These response were the basis and inspiration for the Proclamation  The goal was to reach all people who are marginalized. The group is now looking to make amendments for communities that were not included and educating ourselves on the issues.

Equal Partners Interstate Congress (EPIC)  EPIC is a grant that was developed by Self Advocacy and Civil Rights organizations.  Alaska- Peer Power  Nevada- People First  Idaho- Self-Advocacy Leadership Network  Wyoming- People First (Original Partner)

EPIC  Epic firmly believes in the civil rights model. People with disabilities should be the ones in charge and approve all activities that the grant works on.  Allies in Advocacy in Washington works alongside these groups. Allies hosted a conference in May that was attended by Network Partners along with Self Advocate leaders.

Goals of the EPIC grant  Create a model for a new DD Network Partner representing Self Advocates in the vein of civil rights  Create a regional database and information center that self advocates can use to find information about technology, legislative issues, organizational tips, and more  Create/sustain a youth movement

POWER  Power seems to be moving from the parents and families in Washington State to People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.  SAIL is governed and administered by the primary stakeholders.  The governing and administration of the EPIC Project of National Significance is in the hands of Self-Advocacy/Civil Rights organizations in the grant and WA State Allies in Advocacy.

Power (continued) DISCUSSION  What is going on your states?  What are the challenges to supporting self- advocacy/civil rights?