Alabama DMH/MR Office of Consumer Empowerment Director Joe Meadours will team up with the Human Services Research Institute of Tualatin, Oregon, to bring training to self-advocates in Alabama. Together, they will provide training to the officers and board members of Alabama People First on ways to help people with developmental and cognitive disabilities learn how to speak for themselves on critical issues that affect their lives. People First is an organization that promotes self-advocacy, independent living, and civil rights for people with developmental and cognitive disabilities.

“This is an excellent opportunity for people with disabilities to learn how to move a step closer toward living more independent lives,” said Joe Meadours. “These training sessions will help participants gain necessary knowledge about community integration, self-determination, and policy making, in order to help them open doors that were previously closed to them.”

Along with the training sessions, the Alabama DMH/MR Office of Consumer Empowerment will be working with existing local People First chapters to revitalize them and help open new chapters in areas of the state that are not currently represented.

For more information about the self-determination training sessions, please contact the Alabama DMH/MR Office of Consumer Empowerment at (334) 353-7032.