People First Organizing Chapter In Preble County

Eaton Resident Rhonda Brantley will be serving as the chair advisor for the Preble County Chapter of People First.   Below is the Mission and Goals of People First of Ohio.   Visit our “NEWS” link for dates, times, and places of the meetings!!

Mission: We believe that all people with disabilities should be treated as equal and be able to speak up for what they want by serving as leaders and working together as a TEAM with all members of the community.

GOALS:

Community Awareness

Teach our communities about people with disabilities. Increase statewide awareness and support of People First of Ohio.

a. Plan a disability awareness campaign to speak out about People First of Ohio.
b. Speak at schools, civic, and religious organizations.
c. Share personal stories.
d. Leadership training for members of People First of Ohio.
e. Support and start local self-advocacy groups.
f. Start a newsletter.
g. Educate direct care staff about rights, choice making, and speaking to people who have a disability.
h. Work with other projects and groups in the State of Ohio who believe in our goals and mission statement.
i. Work with Legislative Advocacy projects and the system .          

Think "People First"

Language is a reflection of how people see each other. That's why the words we use can hurt. It's also why responsible communicators are now choosing language which reflects the dignity of people with disabilities - words that put the person first, rather than the disability. Read on for short course on using language that empowers.

1. Think people first. Say "a woman who has mental retardation" rather than "a mentally retarded woman."
2. Avoid words like "unfortunate," "afflicted," and "victim." Also, try to avoid casting a person with a disability as a superhuman model of courage. People with disabilities are just people, not tragic figures or demigods.
3. A developmental disability is not a disease. Do not mention "symptoms," "patients," or "treatment," unless the person you're describing has an illness as well as a disability.
4. Use common sense. Avoid terms with obvious negative or judgmental connotations, such as "crippled," "deaf and dumb," "lame," and "defective." If you aren't sure how to refer to a person's condition, ask. And, if the disability is not relevant to your conversation, why mention it at all?
5. Never refer to a person as "confined to a wheelchair." Wheelchairs enable people to escape confinement. A person with a mobilty impairment "uses" a wheelchair.
6. Try to describe people without disabilities as "typical" rather than "normal."

People First Meeting Minutes:

The Pioneers of the Preble County People First Chapter met on April 19 th and 20 th in the Woodview Commons community room.  There was a total of 10 people in attendance.
Sadie Hunter, along with other representatives of Ohio People First, explained how a People First Chapter could help the community understand more about disabilities.   Each person was told they have a special gift to share and that everyone has something to offer their community. Everyone is a person first and that person may have a disability. But, just because they're disabled doesn’t take away their simple rights to actively participate in projects and decisions about their community and life.
The Preble County People First Chapter hopes to become an active part of the community and help increase disability awareness.
Other topics that were discussed were the possibility of Scholarships for the members to attend the Solidarity Conference in Columbus on May 11-13 2005 and the People First State convention in 2006.
Wednesday’s meeting ended with the nomination of Officers and the final elections to be held on May 4th at L&M Products.
Respectfully submitted,
Rhonda Brantley

Preble County People First Chapter Elects Officers

On May 4, 2005 the Preble County People First Chapter formed by electing officers. On hand for the elections were Sadie Hunter, Executive Director, Ohio People First, John G. Gillespie, Ohio People First self-advocate, and Joellen Hunter. People First is an international movement of people with developmental disabilities advocating on their own behalf. People with disabilities are seen as capable of representing their own best interests and exercising their own choice.   Self-advocacy training assists people with developmental disabilities to make and express choice for themselves, to know and assert their rights, to organize and form alliances, and to have an impact on public policy.

People First takes a few basic principles quite seriously: People with disabilities are people first.   They should be seen for their abilities.   They have the same needs as everyone else- a home, a job, an education, love and friendship, dignity, a good time, a decent standard of living.   People with disabilities are in the best position to make choices for themselves, to speak on their own behalf, and represent their interests.   

As with other people with disabilities often they require the help of friends and allies in acting on their choices and defending their rights.   People First often have advisors to help them get organized, to interpret information that is complicated, and to follow up on issues.   Advisors participate to provide advice, not direction.  

Allen Hofacker was elected as President, David Gilbert, vice-president, Dianna Ward secretary, and Sarah Kottke treasurer.   Jeff Cooper will serve as sergeant of arms and Wendy Allen the historian. Rhonda Brantley and Phyllis Turner, local Preble County residents will serve as People First advisors.

People First participants will attend the Solidarity Conference held at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus on May 11-3.

Top Of Page