Index of Videos
Topic: Advocacy
Ed Roberts
Ed Roberts: "We've got to be out in the community…"
In the 1980s Ed Roberts, father the Independent Living movement, reminds us how people with disabilities must participate in the community and be neighbors, friends, and lovers just like everybody else.
Ed Roberts Testifying at Section 504 Hearings
In the 1970s Ed Roberts, the director of America's largest state department of rehabilitation, calls for equal access to educational institutions, hospitals, and the elements in our society which serve us all.
Ed Roberts: Karate
In the early 1990s, Ed Roberts (who used a motorized wheelchair and portable air respirator, and could only move a few fingers of his left hand) was a student of Shotokan karate.
Ed Roberts: Excerpt from Discover Interdependence
In this excerpt from a 1992 video, Ed Roberts shared his insights and experiences to help young people with disabilities work past their doubts and fears, and help them chart their own future.
We Won't Go Away Part 1
In this 1981 film, people with disabilities located in New York, Berkeley, Washington and Chicago describe what it was like to be a college student with a disability in the 1960s.
We Won't Go Away Part 2
This 1981 film shows the advocacy of those with the fundamental belief that people with disabilities can take their rightful places in the community, not institutionalized or segregated.
Effective Strategies for Social Change
In 1987, Ed Roberts encouraged participants at the first-ever Partners in Policymaking® session that "before you can help a person learn to advocate for themselves, you have to do it yourself first."
Discover Interdependence
This video looks at a week-long California camp attended equally by students with and without disabilities, working together and achieve new levels of awareness, openness, resolve, and strength.
Parallels in Time
ADAPT Demonstration in Chicago
This news clip from the 1980s shows opposing viewpoints of the need for equal accessibility.
Nancy Ward Describing S.A.B.E.
Self-advocate Nancy Ward defined self-advocacy as meaning a person with a disability learning how to speak out for himself or herself.
Our Voices Count: Self-Advocacy Now
In 1989, the Self-Advocacy Association of New York held a state-wide convention. Housing, employment, and legislative measures are featured in this presentation, narrated by Geraldo Rivera.
Capitol People First
A 2011 look at a California organization's 30 years of inspiring independence and promoting self-determination so that people with disabilities have a chance and a choice in life.
1974 People First Conference (Valerie Schaaf)
In 1974, self-advocate Valerie Schaaf said, "Labeling people is disrespectful and cruel. If you must label something, label jars, label streets, but don't label persons."
Irving Martin on the Goals of Self-Advocacy
Irving Martin said, "Self-advocacy is self-responsibility. It gives you pride and dignity in the community. You've got to be honest with yourself and honest with other people."
Toni Lippert, Interviewed by Ed Skarnulis
In 1985, policymaking parent Toni Lippert described her experiences involving advocacy, institutions, normalization, and how parents can assert themselves with professionals on behalf of their child.
Disabled Women: Visions and Voices
In September 1995 in Beijing, China, 200 women with disabilities, representing 25 countries, convened the first International Symposium on Issues of Women with Disabilities.
Storyville
In the late 1990s, these public service announcements show people with disabilities describing the importance of meaningful employment, living in the community, advocacy, and making your own decisions.
Speaking for Ourselves (1995)
In 1995, the self advocacy movement challenged traditional stereotypes about people with developmental disabilities, and demonstrated their ability to make decisions, solve problems and organize for positive change.
With an Eye to the Future
In 2018, former U.S. Senator David Durenbeger and 24 self-advocates gave ideas and opinions regarding the future of disability rights and activism. It's a look into the future to forge ever more achievements.
Judy Weiser on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Judy Weiser described her group home arrangements, her volunteer experiences and her advice to others.
Katie Swenson on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Katie Swenson said her greatest personal achievement is not giving up on her son, who's on the autism spectrum, and finding the many positives in their family life.
Katie Whitnah on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Katie Whitnah said, "Will my children look exactly like everybody else? Probably not – but will they be successful? Yes!"
Kelly Kausel on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Kelly Kausel said there's too many people that live in their community but aren't part of the community, such as community classes, music in the park, and July 4th celebrations.
Kelly Korpela on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Kelly Korpela said it's important for parents to take deep breaths. It feels like every day is a new challenge to gather resources. "Stay positive: things will come together."
Kelly Lee on Disability Rights
In 2018, self-advocate Kelly Lee said people with disabilities need to learn and stick up for their rights. "People who try to talk for me don't know who they're messing with."
Lea Sue Sandberg on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Lea Sue Sandberg said we all need to be proactive. "We need to help our leaders and decision makers stay on top of things and out in front of problems before things get worse."
Lyndsey Reece on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Lyndsey Reece said her advice to other advocates is to ask questions, take a stand, don't be afraid, and push past the red tape. "There are no dead ends to anything."
Jason Blomquist on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Jason Blomquist said he serves on committees and does the thing he does in order to bring light to situations and get the message out about what we need in order to live our lives.
Jaclyn Landon on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Jaclyn Landon recommended joining parent groups because of the huge amount of information you can get from people who've already been through a similar situation.
David Belcourt on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate David Belcourt reminded people that you have a right to stand up for your rights, get out in the community, and advocate for yourself.
Elizabeth Peterson on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Elizabeth Peterson said it's important for her to be able to live on her own and be independent. She graduated from college and has been working at her job since 2011.
Nathan Barclay on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Nathan Barclay said he strongly believed that anyone with a disability should have the opportunity to go out in the field and search for that job they really want.
Nathan Colomina on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Nathan Colomina said he's graduated, has a job, pays his rent, and has a stable living. He finds his job rewarding, and is constantly working toward greater heights.
Paul Korpela on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Paul Korpela said the effort for disability rights is not one person's battle. "It's a group effort. We're all in the community and we need to take care of each other."
Reid Scheller on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Reid Scheller said working for disability rights is part argument, part challenge, part protest, and part battle. "But it's all real life. In some ways I see light at the end of the tunnel."
Ricardo Mourao on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Ricardo Mourao said, "Before my accident, I was always thinking about money and material things. Now, I know that friendships are what's really important."
Sally Anderl on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Sally Anderl encouraged other advocates to "learn as much as you can, as frequently as you can, in as many places as you can. Continue to network with people with and without disabilities."
Sheri Melander Smith on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Sheri Melander Smith said as a people, we have to decide where we're going with disability rights. Are we our brother's keeper? What are we willing to sacrifice for the benefit of the good?
Xochil Flores on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Xochil Flores said there are several challenges, and patience is crucial. Any human being can have a disability, and we should all treat each other with the same opportunities to have a happy life.
Annie Newville on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Annie Newville said access to treatment centers is different in rural areas. But when people consider leaving their communities to have other options, they risk losing their support systems.
Bonnie Jean Smith on Disability Rights
In 2018, advocate Bonnie Jean Smith said working for disability rights means "You need to stand for something. You can't relax and sit around like it's a reality TV show and do nothing."
Jillian Nelson: State Capitol Grand Opening
In 2017, Partners in Policymaking® graduate Jillian Nelson said, "Advocate voices are the ones that matter in the state capitol when it comes to making decisions and influencing our lawmakers."
Jillian Nelson: Tell Your Own Stories
In 2017, Partners in Policymaking® graduate Jillian Nelson told self-advocates that, "Your story matters, your voice matters. You may just be one voice, but one voice has the propensity to change everything."
Jillian Nelson: What Minnesota Should Do
In 2017, Partners in Policymaking® graduate Jillian Nelson said she would like to see us moving past the preconceived ideas of limitations and toward accepting people with disabilities for who they are.
With an Eye to the Future Launch: Justin Smith, Class 34 Partners in Policymaking® Graduate
In 2017, disability rights advocate Justin French shared his experiences of living with a disability and his future plans for writing his blog and speaking about accessibility and inclusion.
METO Settlement
Self Advocates: Little Steps, Big Dreams
In 2012, self-advocate Roberta Blomster remembers giving testimony and working to get the "R" word out of state and federal legislative language, and replaced with people first language.
Self Advocates: What is Person Centered Planning?
In 2012, self-advocates describe the wonderful feeling of running your own annual Person-Centered Planning meeting, developing your own goals, making your own outcomes, and giving your opinion.
Self Advocates: What Kind of Training Should Staff Have?
In 2012, self-advocate Brian Jensen said staff members need to know a little about your background. They should be trained to deal with stressful situations and have a protocol for crisis intervention.
Self Advocates: The "R" Word
In 2012, self-advocates comment about how hurtful and awful the "R" word is, and how they handled a situation when someone was using it.
Self Advocates: How Should Staff React When I'm Frustrated?
In 2012, self-advocates Brian Jensen and Mary Raasch describe how staff should react when they are frustrated.
Self Advocates: What Do You Expect of Staff?
In 2012, self-advocate Brian Jensen said he expected staff to be kind, courteous, and respectful. "I don't want anybody to judge me or make me feel bad."
Positive Behavior Supports
Derrick Dufresne: Advice to Parents and Self Advocates
In 2012, inclusion specialist Derrick Dufresne advised parents and self-advocates, "Don't ever let a professional tell you that you're not an expert on your child."
Mike Mayer: Advice for self advocates/families who know a person being restrained or secluded?
In 2013, transition consultant Mike Mayer said that if you know someone who's being restrained or secluded, check your state rules and then make the state justify to you why that is the only option available.