ACT Memo

As you requested, this is your ACT Self-Advocacy Resource Network Memo facilitating a national dialogue among self-advocates and supporters and a clearinghouse for materials and training that support self-advocacy.

May 8, 2008

Self-Advocates Speak Up… But at What Cost?

People First of Tennessee saw an injustice and took action. The state had plans to cut lots of services. People First knew these cuts would hurt people with disabilities. They attended many meetings to try to protect services. No luck. So they filed suit.

Soon they got a letter from the state. It said that their contract was being cut. Director Leanne Boyce says, “They are trying to punish us for our work to stop budget cuts.”

Group Activity

Take Action

Group Activity

Talk about how your group gets money to do the work of self-advocacy. Is your group at risk of getting money cut if you say or do something the funding people don’t like?

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Take Action

The People First of Tennessee board is asking self-advocates across the country to do two things:

1.	Write a letter to Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen.
2.	Donate to People First of Tennessee.

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Today’s Trivia Question:

In what decade did People First of Tennessee get started?

a. 1970s

b. 1980s

c. 1990s

d. 2000s

(The answer will be published
in the next Memo.)

Answer to April 30th Trivia Question:
a. Cerebral palsy

Question was: One of this year’s Miss USA contestants, Miss Iowa, has a disability. What is it?

a.	Cerebral palsy
b.	A prosthetic leg
c.	MS
d.	Down syndrome

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