Fall 2016 Volume 2, Issue 2 Self Advocates United as 1 News for You! SAU1 Members and Staff at the Every Day Lives Conference, Hershey Josh Harper, Francie Keeny, Sharon Harper-Young, Matt Stinner, Laura Bale, Oscar Drummond, William Brewer, Khalil Hills, and Carolyn Morgan.
News Self Advocacy Power Network for All The PA Office of Development Programs (ODP) has made an agreement with the Self Advocates United as 1 (SAU1) to support a statewide self advocacy network starting September 7, 2016. SAU1 will reach out to self advocates across the state to help folks learn how to speak up, alone or in a group. The Self Advocacy Power Network for All (SAPNA) is managed by SAU1. WE CAN NOT WAIT TO MEET YOU!! A Note of Thanks: Self Advocates United as 1 Board Members have a monthly conference call with the Deputy Secretary Nancy Thaler of the Pa Office of Developmental Programs. We share ideas, comments and concerns from self advocates through-out the state. It is always a very positive meeting and we feel our voices are heard. Thank you, Deputy Secretary Thaler, for your time and attention.
News SAPNA, the Self Advocacy Power Network for All, started in September by writing 2 presentations. Three events were held at the Every Day Lives Conference in Hershey PA. Let s Get to Work helps people understand how to get supports to train for, find, get, and keep a job and the benefits they need. Let s Speak Up focuses on every person s rights and how and why to speak up for what is important to you. My Life, My Way: What Works, What Needs Work is a talk about issues people have. Do you need a job? SAU1 will be hiring more people to help build self advocacy skills. Are you a person with a disability who wants to work helping others learn how to speak up? Are you a person with a disability or an ally who wants to coordinate and schedule events, and facilitate presentations? Do you live in the central, northeast, or west part of Pennsylvania? Call 1 877 304 7730, or email info@sau1.org and tell us your name, number, and address and we will send you more information.
Self Advocacy in Action In June 2016 Frances Keeny spoke at a rally in Harrisburg. She told legislators and people at the rally about her life. It was hard for Frances to speak up, so she asked SAU1 staff to read her speech. She told how she was neglected as a baby. She said she has had services for many years, but at one time her services were not enough and she was in a nursing home. Now she has the services she needs, and lives in her own apartment, volunteers at many places, has a cat Baby Boy Abraham, does her shopping, and serves as a Board member for SAU1. Frances speech ended with: If I did not get services in the community, I could not do any of these things. I would either be in an institution or I would be dead. There are lots of people like me, with or without family. Don t let them live in institutions or die.
Self Advocacy in Action Matt Stinner also spoke. He also told everyone about his life. Matt said most young adults and teens want to live our their dreams of a home, dating, a job, marriage. He shared how he was told at age 16 he would probably never work. That made him angry, and his parents helped him apply for a waiver. 6 months after graduation Matt moved into his own apartment, of which he is very proud. He shared his belief in self determination. Matt s disability keeps him from working many hours so he doesn t have much spending money, and his waiver is his lifeline to the life he wants and needs. Matt reminded everyone of those who cannot use their voices, the non-verbal of us, and that our entire community needs this money to live freely and safely. That is our right as Americans and as citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Happenings! Mark your calendar for FREE Teleconferences! Do you or someone you know have a Consolidated, Person Family Directed Supports, or Autism Waiver? Are you waiting for one of these waivers? Call in to learn about ideas for changes in some of the services and supports. Tuesday Nov. 15 at 2 pm or Wednesday Nov. 16 at 3:30 pm Think about the changes and talk to your friends and family about them. Then Call in to say what YOU think about the ideas for those changes Monday Dec. 12 at 3:30 pm or Tuesday Dec. 13 at 2 pm Dial 1-800-309-2350, code 2386 2283#
My Life, My Way: Values for Every Day Lives Members of SAU1 worked with others on Values for an Every Day Life, and how the people around us - family, supporters and community, can honor these values. Let s look at the first 4 values. Control: I have control over all areas of my life. The people around me know it s my decision and work with me to achieve greater control. Choice: I decide everything about my life. The people around me help me learn about opportunities and together we make them happen. Freedom: I have the same rights as all members of the community and I can fully use them. The people around me respect my rights. Stability: Changes to my life are made only with my permission and input. The people around me do nothing about me without me. They plan with me to meet my needs, now and for the future. Are these happening in YOUR life? If not, SPEAK UP until someone listens, and you get what you want and need.
Meet a Leader Ernie Roundtree, an SAU1 Board member since 2014, lives in Monroe County, PA. Ernie lived with different families for years. He says, It was very abusive mentally and physically. It was dangerous. I had no supports or services other than school. In school I met a very nice teacher s aide and we talked to each other about our lives. We tried to stay in contact but I moved around a lot. I found her again through the internet. She became my natural support and today she is My Mom. My life is great. I have a great family, a job that I have had for over a year, lots of friends, and am part of my community. Ernie is very involved with Special Olympics and has won many awards. In 2015 he won the Athlete of the Year Leadership award. He loves running races and marathons; he even ran in one at Disney World. He will be running in the Philadelphia, PA marathon in November. Since I joined SAU1 I have learned more about speaking up for myself and others. I tell other self advocates you have the right to speak up for life. You have the right to dream. Do not let your disability or others stop you from your dreams!
Picture Page! Ernie Roundtree, Leader! SAU1 Board Members Matt Stinner and Laura Bale, and Advisor Carolyn Morgan at Every Day Lives with ODP Executive Assistant Dave Kauffman What s YOUR Story? Email us at info@sau1.org or mail us at Self Advocates United as 1 8 Hutcheson Way Greenville PA 16125
WHO ARE WE? Self Advocates United as 1 is a group of people with disabilities from all over Pennsylvania. We are united to help make the world better for people with disabilities. Our Board of Directors and members are people with disabilities. WHAT DO WE DO? We speak up at local, statewide and national events. We bring the self advocate voice - YOUR voice to the table. We meet with others, help them learn how to advocate for themselves, and unite to make changes happen. SAU1 s mission is to support the self advocacy of people with disabilities for positive impact in our communities and people s lives. www.sau1.org or find us on Facebook! We want to hear from you! Email us at info@sau1.org. Call 1 877 304 7730 and leave a message. SAU1 is funded in part through a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. Thank You!
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT Always remember it is your RIGHT to speak up. Speak up about your needs, wants, and desires for your life. You have the right to say NO!! Remember: KNOWLEDGE is POWER!!! Oscar Drummond, SAU1 President Philadelphia, PA Do you feel unsafe? Have you been hurt? Have you seen someone else being hurt? YOU can get help! Call or ask someone you trust to call: 24-hour Protective Services Hotline 1-800-490-8505 Disability Rights Pennsylvania 1-800-692-7443 ODP Hotline 1-888-565-9435
Self Advocates United as 1, Inc. 8 Hutcheson Way Greenville PA 16125