In this section we will be addressing things that matter most to People First self-advocates.

We will be presenting issues and positons of importance that will educate you on what affects our day to day lives.

Here are some fresh topics that we are going to be working on in the future:

• Transportation
• Housing
• Health Care
• Budget Issues
• Self Determination
• Employment
• Voting
• Lanterman Act
• American Disabilities Act
• Institution Closure

Letters to the Governor
Here are some letters some People First members sent in last year. We offer them as samples for you to write the Governor and your Legistlators in order for them to understand we need our services!

Letters from People First Members to Governor

CA MEMORIAL PROJECT: REMEMBERANCE DAY 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009

Click on graphics or titles below for PDFs with more information:

What is the California Memorial Project?

Ceremony of Remembrance
September 21, 2009

At 1:55 pm there was be a statewide moment of silence to honor those who died unrecognized at State Hospitals and Developmental Centers.  By giving respect to people with developmental and mental disabilities who died anonymously, we honor the humanity of all of us.

The 9 ceremonies were all different, but each featured memories of deceased residents by friends or family members, poems or songs, news about the California Memorial Project and light refreshments.

NORTH
12:15-1:15 PM 
 Ukiah Cemetery
Russian River Cemetery District
940 Low Gap Road, Ukiah, CA 94582
Contact: Rob Chittenden   (707) 834-0114

 CENTRAL VALLEY
10:30AM   – 11:30 AM 
 Stockton Rural Cemetery
2350 Cemetery Lane, Stockton, CA 95204
Contact: Daniel Meadows (916) 346-0395

11:00-12:00 PM
Porterville Hillcrest Cemetery
1013 East Olive Avenue, Porterville, CA 93257
Contact: Gabby Poblete-Morales  (559) 564-2381

11:00-12:00 PM
Park View Cemetery
3661 East French Camp Rd., Manteca, CA 95336
Contact: Jenny Olson (916) 300-9616

BAY AREA
1:00-2:00 PM   
Agnews Historic Cemetery
 1250 Hope Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Contact: Yvonne McGough (510) 267-1258

1:30 - 2:30 PM
Napa State Hospital
2100 Napa Vallejo Hwy, Napa, CA 94558
Contact: Alicia Mendoza (530) 300-8648

1:00-2:00 PM
Sonoma Developmental Center
15000 Arnold Drive, Eldridge, CA 95431
Contact: Sharon Schmidt (707) 537-8938

 SOUTH
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM    
Patton State Hospital
   3102 East Highland Ave., Patton, CA 92369
Contact: Garnet Magnus (951) 312-3092

11:30-12:30 PM
Metropolitan State Hospital
11401 South Bloomfield Ave., Norwalk, CA 90650
 Contact: Robyn Gantsweg  (213) 427-8747

10 YEARS OF OLMSTEAD - CLOSE INSTITUTIONS!
A message from SABE President Chester Finn

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2009

In light of OLMSTEAD being 10 years old.
We have got to stand up for it.
We are encouraging people, if they can, to have rallies.
As long as people are in institutions we cannot rest.
The US Department of Justice did an investigation in Texas where people are being abused in institutions.
But the Justice Department is cutting deals with the State of Texas without talking about moving people out of institutions and giving them a better life.
It seems like if you can’t advocate for yourself or if you have a guardian that does not believe in living in the community you can’t get out.
I think we need to rally around supporting people no matter where they are
We want people out of state schools, out of nursing homes
The Supreme Court made the OLMSTAED decision saying that states should support people to best of their ability to live in the community.
That is why we advocated so hard for OLMSTEAD.
We need to advocate for the Justice Department to be in line with the OLMSTEAD decision.
We don’t know if they will listen to us but it is worth a try.
People in state schools in Texas deserve an opportunity for community living.
We need to encourage the Justice Dept to think about this.

Call, write or fax to:
Special Litigation Section
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, PHB
Washington, D.C. 20530
Telephone Number
(202) 514-6255 or toll-free at (877) 218-5228
Fax Numbers
(202) 514-0212 or (202) 514-6273

VOTING INFORMATION:
PFCA Agrees with this Press Release from DRC:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 30, 2008

Contact: Hillary Sklar
Disability Rights California
Phone: (213) 355-3627
E-Mail: Hillary.Sklar@disabilityrightsca.org

Disability Advocacy Groups Outraged by Challenge to Right to Vote of Californians with Developmental Disabilities

Sacramento, CA- “It is an outrage that in 2008, as all Americans proceed to the polls for this critical election, some groups are still challenging the right of people with developmental disabilities to vote,” stated Marinda Reed, coordinator of the developmental disability peer training unit of Disability Rights California.

The Californian Republican party has asked the secretary of state to investigate a voting project of the Thumbs Up! adult care center in Tuolumne County, where around 10 clients submitted absentee ballots with the assistance of the center’s director. Reed commented, “We recently completed a training at this center and many others to make sure that all the clients were aware that voting is one of their most fundamental rights and at the heart of participation as citizens. ”

Hillary Sklar, coordinator of the voting initiative of Disability Rights California, emphasized that all people with disabilities have the right to vote, just like any other citizen, unless a court has found them unable to do so. Sklar pointed out that, “Luckily, most of our problems on voting day have to do with inaccessible polling places, quirks of the new voting equipment and lack of training on how to ensure voting is confidential – it is rare that the right to vote of people with disabilities is challenged. We obviously need to do more public education about the rights of Californians with disabilities.”

This recent challenge to the rights of people with developmental disabilities has also been criticized by People First of California, a membership group that is run by and for people with development disabilities to advocate for themselves. Joe Meadours, Executive Director of People First of California, reports that “state law allows any voter to seek assistance completing a ballot even at a polling location. Why should people with developmental disabilities be treated any differently or people think we are being told what to do?”

Disability Rights California will operate a Voting Hotline on November 4 to help troubleshoot problems encountered by voters with disabilities. For details, visit www.disabilityrightsca.org or contact Hillary Sklar.