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People First of St. Louis is committed to making sure that our community and its resources are accessible for all individuals. If you have particular issues with inaccessible public or private facilities, contact us and fight for change.
There are over 1 million people with disabilities currently living in Missouri, and that is about 20% of the state's entire population. This means that 1 in 5 Missourians share the same interest - advancing the causes of equality and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Make a difference and vote! Complaining about politics and the government is only okay for people who vote.
If you have a disability, and need assistance with voting, we can help you.
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People First is a self-advocacy organization composed of, run by and existing for people with developmental disabilities. St. Louis is proud to be the oldest and founding chapter of People First in Missouri, and our organization has always promoted social equality for all people. We strive to ensure that every person has the opportunity to exercise their rights and responsibilities in the community, and we support each other in speaking up for one another as people, first and foremost.
Get involved in the movement! Our members have a range of disabilities, and we stand up for each other. There is a place for every person in People First of St. Louis. Join our cause and learn how to be a better advocate. Learn how to better access resources in the community, speak up for yourself, live up to your potential, and make a difference. |
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Message from Our President
The challenges that we find in St. Louis and Missouri beyond will not be easy to overcome; they never have been. Furthermore, the progress that we seek will not come over night but we know that holding policymakers accountable and educating our community will always lead to progress for people with developmental disabilities.
This year People First will work on a number of issues pertaining to healthcare, transportation, and accessibility for people with disabilities. Our members will reach out to the wealth of likeminded organizations in Missouri, and will encourage our community get involved in the effort to provide equal opportunity for all members of our society. Join our organization or another disability rights organization in Missouri to contribute to progress. Come to a meeting, donate funds, or give us your story to make a difference.
William Gamblin President, People First St. Louis |
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Wanna be our friend? Hook up with People First on
Facebook.com! People First of St. Louis on this social
networking site so that we are better able to tap into the already
existing network of disability advocates. On our Facebook homepage members receive information about People First events and activities. We are interested in making new friends across Missouri and the United States so that we are better able to keep involved in the many issues facing people with developmental disabilities. |
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Upcoming Events 2010
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It was reported that Emanuel told a liberal strategy session last August that liberals who were planning attack ads on conservative Democrats over health care were "F...ing retarded."
The remark drew wider circulation after Sarah Palin, mother of a Down Syndrome child, called for Emanuel's firing on Facebook yesterday writing: "Rahm's slur on all God's children with cognitive and developmental disabilities -- and the people who love them -- is unacceptable, and it's heartbreaking." This is the second time the Obama White house has had to apologize to Shriver and the Special Olympics. Last year, President Obama, on the "Tonight Show," compared his bowling prowess to Special Olympics. More>> |
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The "R" Word Campaign
According to the World Health Organization, 193 million people, or 3 percent of the world’s population, are individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) – the largest of all disability groups. The occurrence of intellectual disabilities knows no boundaries; it cuts across lines of race, ethnicity, education level, social class, and economic background. In addition, there are millions of family members and friends touched by people with intellectual disabilities. The r-word is hate speech that perpetuates the negative stereotypes that face people with intellectual disabilities every day. Yet, its use continues to gain in popularity. ACT NOW--pledge your support to eliminate the demeaning use of the r-word. |
About College for Living
College for Living is the department at Paraquad that has supported People First for the past 20 years. This organization has the primary focus of providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities. CFL has been involved in the St. Louis disability community for over 30 years, and has provided a wealth of resources that have increased the quality of life for thousands of people living in St. Louis.
College
for Living offers four primary areas of support including employment
services, volunteer opportunities, supported & continuing education, and of
course self-advocacy. CFL employment services have given individuals with
disabilities the opportunity to obtain quality employment, with a focus on
long term job placement. The volunteer program has
given many individuals the chance to contribute to the greater good, as well as
the opportunity to increase valuable vocational and social skills. College
for Living supported & continuing educational services have greatly improved
the lives of many St. Louisans by teaching the skills necessary for living
independently, contributing to the community, maintaining a steady job, and
achieving success.
Through the years, our members' lives have been enriched and improved by our relationship with College for Living. They have allowed People First to grow as an organization, and have been forward thinking and dedicated enough to the cause of self-advocacy not to interfere with the voices of our members. College for Living truly has made people the first priority, and for their years of support People First sincerely thanks CFL.
Our People
People First is primarily supported by DD Resources in St. Louis City, and The Productive Living Board in St. Louis County. Without the support of these organizations People First would not be able to offer free membership and support.
People First of St. Louis is committed to standing up for the cause of equal rights for all Americans and people across the world with developmental disabilities. We commit to organizational integrity by fighting for this cause in a non-partisan manner, giving no special consideration to any political party or entity. We fight on the merit of policy alone so that lawmakers do not take our votes for granted. We are committed to full inclusion for our members. No person will be denied membership to People First of St. Louis based upon the type or severity of their developmental disability. All people are welcome.
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Be A Member!
Join the fight for equality! Becoming a People First member is a great way to
make your voice heard. Joining is also a great way to meet new friends, and
learn how to be your own best advocate. Our members vary greatly in ability, personality, age, race, and background. Because of our diversity, we
are able to address a broad range of issues affecting our community.
There is no cost to join People First.
People First members are always involved in exciting activities. The above photo shows Judy on the set of "Extreme Home Makeover" on ABC. Some of our members signed up to volunteer on site when the television show focused on a family in St. Louis. The theme of the show centered around helping people with disabilities.
Joining People First is a great opportunity for people to have fun with peers in the community! Some of the other events include our annual picnic, our yearly summer camp self-advocacy retreat, disability rights legislative education in Jefferson City, winter dance, and various opportunities to personally lobby legislators. Funding is available for these events so that we can include as many people as possible.
Every four years, thousands of Special Olympics athletes from around the world come together to showcase their athletic skills and celebrate the true spirit of competition through winter sports.
Through the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, Special Olympics athletes will transcend the boundaries of geography, nationality, political philosophy, gender, age, culture and religion. This event will transform participants, community leaders, and fans world-wide through sportsmanship and spirited competition.
Our St. Louis members had an amazing time participating in the scheduled events at camp including hiking, fishing, boat riding, dances, and singing around campfires to name a few.
This is one of many events that People First of St. Louis participates in, and we look forward to attending this camp with some of our new members in 2009!
People
First's objective is to change our community in a way that provides equal
access and opportunity for people with developmental disabilities. We
teach people with disabilities how to become self-advocates. This means
standing up for basic civil rights and pushing policies and initiatives
that support the causes of liberty and equality. Our members reach out to
the community, educate legislators, and rally people with developmental
disabilities for the purpose of change.
