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ID Action News
Voter Trainings
Hundreds of Iowans with disabilities attended free Voter
Trainings that were held across the state in the months prior to
Election Day. The trainings discussed new voting laws and let
participants have hands-on practice with the voting equipment. Check
out some of the photos below!
Iowa State Fair Declares Opening Day “ID Action
Day!”
There was a
incredible turnout at the ID Action booth at the 2008 Iowa State
Fair on opening day. It was great to see several familiar faces
and ID Action T-shirts! Visitors to the booth were able to pick
a presidential candidate-on-a-stick and vote for their favorite
fair events and food by trying out accessible voting equipment.
Thank you to Gano Whetstone and Janice Hoffman for volunteering
to help distribute information at the booth! We also had a
special visit from Abbey Curran, Miss Iowa-USA, who has cerebral
palsy and is very involved in the disability community.
Congratulations to Patrick O'Brian, ID Action’s 2008 Citizen of the
Year!
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This
year, ID Action recognized Patrick O’Brien as the 2008
Citizen of the Year. Patrick has been a leader among
disability advocates in Polk County for nearly six
years. As a member on the Polk County Health Services
Board of Directors, he strives to represent the
interests of his fellow consumers. Patrick has also
served on the Executive Committee of Polk County Health
Services for four years, where he has dedicated his time
to help shape the development and oversight of the
service system in Polk County.
In addition to his service to PCHS, Patrick has shared
his advocacy and empowerment expertise through his
involvement in numerous local and statewide planning and
nonprofit boards, including Behavioral Health Resources,
DM Access Advisory Board, Iowa Mental Health Planning &
Advocacy Council, NAMI of Iowa and Protection &
Advocacy.
Congratulations Patrick!
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Great Attendance
at 2008 Advocating Change Day
A day for Iowans with
disabilities to build their advocacy skills, rally at
the Iowa State Capitol and interact with elected
officials.
Sponsored by ID Action and the Secretary of State's
Office
From
Davenport to Council Bluffs and from Strawberry Point to
Clarinda, more than 800 Iowans with disabilities
journeyed to the Capitol for the 2008 ID Action
Advocating Change Day event! These individuals received
training from professional lobbyists to develop their
advocacy messages and effectively deliver them to their
legislators and elected officials.
As one of the presenting speakers at the Advocating
Change Day rally, Secretary of State Michael Mauro
encouraged participants to register to vote and to
continue their advocacy in their communities.
“Advocating Change Day shouldn’t be about one day. It’s
about making a commitment to participate in the
electoral process, to evaluate your candidates, your
legislators and your elected officials and make sure
they’re representing issues that are important to you,”
Mauro said.
While ID Action looks forward to seeing even more
participants at the next Advocating Change Day, it’s up
to you to keep the momentum going throughout the year!
Look for ways to get involved in your community and
continue to check the ID Action Web site at
www.idaction.org for more information about upcoming
events and additional advocacy opportunities.
Click
here to see photos of ID Action Advocates at
Advocating Change Day 2008.
For
additional photos click
here.
Click here to see news coverage of Advocating Change
Day.
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