This past year was full of challenges for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Providers were very nearly devastated by 6% cuts!
It was only the heroic advocacy of parents, staff, individuals, and friends of people with developmental disabilities that saved us from ruinous cuts!
We must continue our strong advocacy and build upon our successful relationships with our legislators.
We are now planning a citywide advocacy campaign, called Getting to Know Us. The purpose is to thank our state legislators for their support in fending off the deep cuts and to educate them further about who our individuals are, what they need, and how our programs help people with developmental disabilities.
To accomplish this, we are asking families, individuals, staff, and providers to:
• Visit their state Assembly and Senate legislators in their Manhattan offices.
• Invite their state Assembly and Senate legislators to visit programs in their own districts for people with developmental disabilities.
These visits will help our legislators put a face on our issues. They will also present the opportunity for photo-ops: plan to take photos with your legislators. Then have talented program participants create frames. Send the framed photo to your legislators along with a thank you note. Encourage your legislators to use the photo for their own newsletters, websites, etc.
Please let us know if you will participate in Getting to Know Us and if you need assistance is setting up your visits. Please R.S.V.P. to Margaret Puddington at Margaret.puddington@gmail.com or 212-799-2042.
See PDF for further distribution: Flier for Summer Advoc 13