Thirty-five years of advocacy celebrated by Partners program

Minnesota's Partners in Policymaking Program, celebrating its 35th anniversary, has been instrumental in empowering people with disabilities and their families to become effective self-advocates. Originating from the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities in 1987, three years before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law, the program trains disability self-advocates and parents.

The recent anniversary event featured an exhibit, "Inclusion," tracing the history of people with developmental disabilities from the 1900s to today. With over 1,100 graduates, the program is recognized globally for its life-changing impact, promoting civil rights, integration, and employment for individuals with disabilities.