| BIG NEWS!! CALLING ALL DISABILITY ADVOCATES!! We are very excited to share that the Department of Justice is having a public hearing with the Commonwealth of Virginia. The hearing will discuss the progress of our settlement agreement in bringing community supports to people with developmental disabilities in Virginia. The hearing will be used to come up with a plan to complete the terms of the settlement before it is scheduled to end in 2021. Anyone in attendance can hear first-hand what the plans will be going forward. Attendees cannot speak during the hearing, but your presence is critical to showing that we still care deeply about the settlement and want it fulfilled! Here are the details: Dates and Times: Tuesday and Wednesday, April 23rd and 24th at 9 AM (but you can come for just one day if it suits your schedule better) Location: 701 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219 Parking: There are several open air lots within a block or two of the courthouse Notes: No food, drink, or electronics allowed inside Registering just helps us keep track of how many Advocates plan to attend! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND. Courthouse 701 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 Attend Event Events powered by EventBrite |
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One, they do listen to what you say. Though it may not always feel like it.
Two, come with more stories than your own.
Three, put faces with your story. How do you do this. Write you speech. Place a photo of the person you are talking about with the speech. Make copies to hand to every congress person. That’s something they remember.
Four, don’t take no for an answer.
Five, remind them of how it was before someone came in and messed it all up. Explain in detail how they’ve messed it. Provide real life, multiple examples. And make sure you relay other people’s stories too.
Six, walk in there with an “I can do this attitude.” These are not people to be scared of. These are people you elected. They are there for you. So tell them what they need to be doing for you. Make them do their job. Don’t be aggressive. Just show them how the system has messed up. And how it’s caused a problem for thousands of individuals like your child. Even if it’s an adult child.
Trust me on all of this. I’ve done it. It works.
And remember the old story of picturing every in their undies. You’ll at least smile as you talk.
~ Pamula Floyd 4/4/19
