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Feature Issue on Political Activism and Voter Participation by Persons with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities
Published by the Institute on Community Integration (UCEDD) and the Research and Training Center on Community Living, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota • Volume 17• Number 2• Summer/Fall 2004
From the Editors
An important part of being an American is participating in our political system. As Americans, we have the responsibility to help elect the kind of government leaders we want to have in our communities, states, and nation. We have the right to speak out on issues that are important to us and to let our leaders know our views. And we have the privilege of influencing the making of laws and policies that affect our lives.
This issue of Impact is for individuals with disabilities and those close to them who would like to be more involved in the American political system. It has information about how to vote, who can vote, and ways to change voting laws that limit the opportunity for people with disabilities to vote. It gives tips for talking with elected officials about issues, and about getting educated about issues and candidates. It tells the stories of individuals with disabilities who have run for office, volunteered to work on political campaigns, and worked with others to change laws and policies that affect their lives. And it describes ways in which people have protested policies and laws through direct action.
We hope that readers of this issue will find at least one new way to make their views known to our country’s leaders, and to exercise their power as Americans to shape our country.
What's Inside
Overview Articles
Eight Ways to Be Involved in Politics
Voting Your Values (sidebar)
Guardianship and Voting: Dealing with the Barriers
Do's and Don't's When Meeting With Elected Officials
Involving Youth with Disabilities in Politics
Civil Rights, Civil Protest, Civil Disobedience: Using Direct Action to Change Society
Program and Personal Profiles
Standing Up for Myself: Political Activism and Voting
Voting Rights: A Success Story From Idaho
Peder Johansen's Thoughts on the Idaho Voting Rights Campaign (sidebar)
Project VOTE!: Showing People the Importance of Voting
My Experience as a Campaign Volunteer
Perseverance and Politics: My Experience Running for Office
Resources
Resources on Voting and People with Disabilities
Finding Out About Voting in Your State
Resources for Political Activism by Persons with Disabilities
Resources for Youth Leadership and Political Involvement
Publication Information
Managing Editor: Vicki Gaylord
Issue Editors:
Laurie Powers Center on Self-Determination Oregon Health and Science University
- Mary Hayden
- Institute on Community Integration University of Minnesota
Jerry Smith Research and Training Center on Community Living Institute on Community Integration University of Minnesota
- Chester Finn
- Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE)
- Institute on Community Integration University of Minnesota
Impact is published quarterly by the Institute on Community Integration (UCEDD), and the Research and Training Center on Community Living, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota. This issue was supported, in part, by Grant #90DD0579/01 from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, US Department of Health and Human Services; and Grant #H133B031116 from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, US Department of Education.
The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute, College, University, or their funding sources.For additional copies or information contact:
Institute on Community Integration University of Minnesota 109 Pattee Hall, 150 Pillsbury Drive SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 612/624-4512 icipub@umn.edu
Impact is available in alternative formats upon request.
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Retrieved from the Web site of the Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota (http://ici.umn.edu). Citation: Gaylord, V., Powers, L., Hayden, M., Smith, J., & Finn, C. (Eds.). (2004). Impact: Feature Issue on Political Activism and Voter Participation by Persons with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities 17(2). Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration. Available at http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/172/default.html.
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Hard copies of Impact are available from the Publications Office of the Institute on Community Integration. The first copy of this issue is free; additional copies are $4 each. You can request copies by phone at 612/624-4512 or e-mail at icipub@umn.edu, or you can fax or mail us an order form. See our listing of other issues of Impact for more information.
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