For the first time since the pandemic shut us all down in 2020, the disability community was able to take their rightful place at the heart of the seat of power in Minnesota, the rotunda of the State Capitol for the 2023 Disability Advocacy Day. With a theme of “Love Liberation Belonging” the capitol was filled with uplifting, unified calls for inclusion, equity, and increased support for individuals with disabilities and service providers. We look forward to celebrating and implementing progressive bill signings at the end of session!
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Join Artist Alison Bergblom Johnson to Make a Performance About Our Lives
People with disabilities are invited to gather to tell stories, to connect and to make a short theater piece exploring our experiences during the pandemic, lockdown, uprising and beyond. People who live in or are connected to the Powderhorn Park neighborhood are particularly invited to participate. During the gatherings in February and March we will explore our stories and the connections between different experiences, adding in movement, musicality, play, rhythm, props and other technical elements as the community desires.
Accessible and Affordable Housing Transcript
Transcript accompanying the video 2023 MCD Legislative Forum: Accessible Affordable Housing on YouTube. Featured in the post Making It Easier to Find Affordable and Accessible Housing.
Advocating Policy Changes for Affordable and Accessible Housing
For many people with disabilities, it is challenging to find affordable and accessible housing. Even when available, the level of accessibility may not meet their needs. In Minnesota, there is no consistency when building accessible housing. Julia Page, Public Policy Director for The Arc Minnesota, shares a policy change that would ensure housing built with state dollars works for everyone.
MCD Reflects on the Legacy of Senator David Durenberger
With the passing of Senator David Durenberger on January 31, our state and our nation have lost a true civil rights champion. Senator Durenberger represented Minnesota from 1978 to 1995. His role as a principal co-sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, is perhaps his greatest legacy. His deeply held commitment to ensuring equal rights for all Americans, coupled with perseverance, persuasion, bi-partisan collaboration, and encouraging an engaged citizenry, brought the landmark legislation that changed the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities.
What is a Service Animal?
Service animal awareness has increased over the last few years, but it is nowhere near where it needs to be. Folks still parade their pets around as service animals. At the same time, business owners, law enforcement, and property managers do not understand their responsibility to protect the rights of people with disabilities. Every time someone lies about their dog being a service animal it erodes the public’s perception of the vital role a service animal plays for its owner. Service animals allow folks with disabilities to be independent, they allow us to participate in life. Please don’t pretend your pet is a service animal.