1 VIRGINIA VOICES FOR CHANGE August, 2006 Brought to you by the New Voices Committee Sponsored by the Partnership For People With Disabilities Virginia Commonwealth University (804)

2 Rosita Christina Bill Jessica Jill Eric Michael David

3 Our purpose is to… Explain who we are Explain who we are Tell you the truth about our lives Tell you the truth about our lives Tell you about our hopes for our future… and what stands in the way Tell you about our hopes for our future… and what stands in the way Explain what YOU can do to help Explain what YOU can do to help

4 We Are… A team of advocates working to change the system so that we can live the life we want in the community. A team of advocates working to change the system so that we can live the life we want in the community. We are from all over the Commonwealth. We are from all over the Commonwealth. Our numbers are growing. We vote. We live in the community. There are thousands of us. We want to be heard. Our numbers are growing. We vote. We live in the community. There are thousands of us. We want to be heard.

5 What is a Disability? We are just like you except that we have special needs. Maybe our bodies don’t work well. Or maybe we have trouble learning or adjusting to social situations. We are just like you except that we have special needs. Maybe our bodies don’t work well. Or maybe we have trouble learning or adjusting to social situations. Some of us have an obvious disability. Others have a disability that is hard to see. Some of us have an obvious disability. Others have a disability that is hard to see. As hard as we try, we need assistance from others. As hard as we try, we need assistance from others.

6 Some of us have a good life and we are happy for that. Some of us have a good life and we are happy for that. Some of us receive great support from family, friends and staff Some of us receive great support from family, friends and staff Here’s The Truth About our Lives… Many of us are not living the life we want. Many of us are not living the life we want. Many of us don’t get the help we need. Many of us don’t get the help we need. But

7 Here’s The Truth About our Lives… Get out on their own to have fun. Get out on their own to have fun. Stay busy with a lot to do.. Stay busy with a lot to do.. Can get home anytime they want … They have freedom… Can get home anytime they want … They have freedom… Sing in the choir… the same choir as others in their church. Sing in the choir… the same choir as others in their church. Can be with a special someone that they love. Can be with a special someone that they love. Are included in their communities with people with and without disabilities. Are included in their communities with people with and without disabilities. Some of us have a good life. Some say that they…

8 Since my parents are gone my oldest sister has been there for me. Since my parents are gone my oldest sister has been there for me. My mom and dad – after high school they’re always pointing me in the right direction. My mom and dad – after high school they’re always pointing me in the right direction. My husband and my family helped me recuperate from my accident for the past 20 years. My husband and my family helped me recuperate from my accident for the past 20 years. My family and personal assistant… If it weren’t for them, I’d be in a nursing home. My family and personal assistant… If it weren’t for them, I’d be in a nursing home. My boyfriend helps as much as he can… My boyfriend helps as much as he can… Our faith is a great inspiration to us. Our faith is a great inspiration to us. Our will to survive keeps us going and gives us all inspiration. Our will to survive keeps us going and gives us all inspiration. The Truth About our Lives… We receive some GREAT support… People told us that…

9 I am lonely and by myself. I cry all my tears. I am lonely and by myself. I cry all my tears. I don’t like not being able to go where I want. I don’t like not being able to go where I want. I want to move out but there is no money or openings. I want to move out but there is no money or openings. Transportation is always an issue… There is never enough of it… They are always late… Transportation is always an issue… There is never enough of it… They are always late… I don’t feel like I get enough support. I don’t feel like I get enough support. I don’t like not having enough money. I don’t like not having enough money. I would like a different job, one where I can do what I want to do… I would like a different job, one where I can do what I want to do… People don’t notice us… They pass over us… They don’t ask us… They ask other people what we like... People don’t notice us… They pass over us… They don’t ask us… They ask other people what we like... The Truth About our Lives… Many of us do NOT live the life we want… People say things like…

10 Silly Rules… Rules… Rules… We have to go to bed at 9 pm. We can only watch TV at certain times of the day. We can’t date without a staff person going with us. We can’t decide what to eat for dinner. We can’t wear make-up. We can’t choose what time to take a shower. We have to go on the same “outing” as everyone else. We can’t have overnight guests.

11 Before We Go on… Let’s Be Honest About Things… The system depends too much on old ways of doing things. The system depends too much on old ways of doing things. The system seems to WANT to keep us dependent… to keep us down… It exaggerates our disabilities and makes them more than they are. The system seems to WANT to keep us dependent… to keep us down… It exaggerates our disabilities and makes them more than they are. We do not want that. We want a system that celebrates our abilities and helps us live a good life in the community. We do not want that. We want a system that celebrates our abilities and helps us live a good life in the community.

12 Here’s What We Wish For We wish to live a life like anyone else… We like to have our dreams and go after them like being a celebrity, traveling, being a singer or actor, making a lot of money, or owning our own business. We like to have our dreams and go after them like being a celebrity, traveling, being a singer or actor, making a lot of money, or owning our own business. Have the freedom to be independent and do what we want. Have the freedom to be independent and do what we want. Have our own place that is accessible and better housing options. Have our own place that is accessible and better housing options. Getting married without having the fear of losing our benefits. Getting married without having the fear of losing our benefits. Getting a job and not worry about losing our benefits. Getting a job and not worry about losing our benefits. Being able to get around town to visit friends and do things. Being able to get around town to visit friends and do things. Having quality personal attendants and other staff and being able to pay them well. Having quality personal attendants and other staff and being able to pay them well.

13 But We Face Barriers… We need help to live the life we want, and… We need help to live the life we want, and… We should be able to decide on the kind of help that we get. We should be able to decide on the kind of help that we get.

14 We’ve Been Learning About Self-Advocacy. Self-Advocates: Speak up for themselves Speak up for themselves Tell others what they like and don’t like Tell others what they like and don’t like Explain what they want Explain what they want

15 So…Here’s what we’d like YOU to do Make sure that services in Virginia… Make sure that services in Virginia… are easier to get into, are easier to get into, assure that people get what they need, and assure that people get what they need, and assure that staff are well paid. assure that staff are well paid. so we can live the life we want in the community. Things have to get much better than they are.

16 This Means… It needs to STOP …. It needs to STOP …. 1. Putting too many restrictions on us. 2. Limiting options in housing, jobs and relationships. 3. Underpaying staff and not giving them healthcare. 4. Looking past us as if we don’t exist. It needs to START …. It needs to START …. 1. Looking at us as people first. 2. Giving us a chance to prove ourselves and get experience. 3. Looking at our abilities and contributions. 4. Giving us the assistance we need to succeed in life. 5. LISTENING TO WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY. LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD! That the service system will have to change

17 Hear Our Voices!! Give us the freedom, choice and a chance to control our own lives. Listen Up!

18 Here’s What You Can Do To Help Us… Listen to us and respect our ideas. Listen to us and respect our ideas. Help us to build a self advocacy network across the Commonwealth. Help us to build a self advocacy network across the Commonwealth. With a strong network we can… Help people to speak up for themselves to improve their lives and change the system, Help people to speak up for themselves to improve their lives and change the system, Stand up for one another so that we can all live the life we want in the community. Stand up for one another so that we can all live the life we want in the community.

19 If not YOU, then who?

20 Self-Advocates all over the Commonwealth are counting on YOU! Thank you!