Self-Advocacy Resources: Twin Cities Metro

ACT: Center for Disability Leadership

Advocating Change Together (ACT) is a nonprofit based in St. Paul, organized by and for people with disabilities with a focus on empowering self-advocates. They offer the following opportunities for learning and connecting with other self-advocates:

Coffee Chat Check-Ins
Disability Equality Training Series (DETS)
Disability Power Day
Self-Advocates Minnesota (SAM)
Side-by-Side People’s Chorus

The Arc Minnesota: Greater Twin Cities

[email protected]
833.450.1494

The Arc Minnesota promotes inclusion for people with disabilities so they are able to fully participate in their communities. For self-advocates, they offer a variety of events, training and advocacy opportunities:

Capitol Connector
Education Opportunities
Local Self-Advocacy Events
Self-Advocacy Training
Volunteer Opportunities

Hammer

[email protected]
952.473.1261

Hammer strives to provide quality services for adults with disabilities so that they may live their lives to the fullest. To keep informed on legislation and advocate for home and community-based services for people with disabilities, Hammer offers the following:

Find Your Representatives
Self-Advocate Stories
Sign-up to Receive Action Alerts

HoodWave Disability Radio

[email protected]
651.705.0861

HoodWave Disability Radio promotes self-advocacy through sharing information and events through its online media platform. Through a podcast and live radio show, HoodWave offers these programs for self-advocates:

Engage with Self-Advocates
Listen and Learn
Share Your Story

Merrick, Inc.: Self-Advocacy

[email protected]
651.789.6200

Merrick, Inc. provides day services to adults with disabilities in Ramsey County. Merrick supports three self-advocacy groups that elect officers annually and focus on these areas:

Boards, Committee Opportunities, Workgroups
Legislative Efforts
Public Awareness
Voter Rights

Partners in Policymaking

[email protected]

Partners in Policymaking, created by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, offers a free, on-demand online curriculum of five courses on key issues affecting people with disabilities. The courses available are:

Partners in Living
Partners in Time
Partners in Education
Partners in Making Your Case
Partners in Employment

Rise: Advocacy Resources & Opportunities

[email protected]
[email protected]
763.786.8334

Rise supports people with disabilities through a variety of services, many that focus on employment opportunities. Rise supports self-advocates in getting involved in the legislative process through the following:

Contact Local News Organizations
Contact Your Legislators
Volunteer Opportunities

Self-Advocates Minnesota

[email protected]
651.641.0297

Self-Advocates Minnesota (SAM) supports people with disabilities in participating in disability and human rights movements through advocacy and by providing technical assistance to other self-advocacy groups throughout Minnesota. There are six regional groups across Minnesota who promote self-advocacy through:

Disability Equality Training Series
Minnesota State Self-Advocacy Conference
Online Community Groups
Online Self-Advocacy Classes

The TAP: Self-Advocacy Meet-Up

[email protected]
651.396.4863

The TAP (Tapping All Possibilities) is a social group for people of all abilities. They meet regularly for the following activities:

Game Nights
Karaoke
TAP Dance Parties
Virtual Meet-Ups

The Youth Legacy Foundation

[email protected]
612.293.7008

The Youth Legacy Foundation connects youth with disabilities with resources to encourage positive changes in the world. They support youth through:

Leadership
Mentoring
Peer mentoring
Volunteer service