Dear Friends and Allies:
Last week, a leaked budget proposal called for dramatic cuts to Disability Rights Maine and our partners, the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council and the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, and our counterparts in every state and territory. These cuts would undermine decades of work that have transformed the disability services system.
With and on behalf of people with disabilities, our organizations fight to stop abuse and neglect, root out and expose financial exploitation, get kids the education to which they are entitled, assist people in getting and maintaining employment, ensure that polling places are accessible, train hundreds of people each year on their rights and advocate for policy reform that improves the lives of all Mainers.
Disability Rights Maine (DRM) staff are scrappy, dedicated, passionate, compassionate people who work hard every single day to create positive change. And we have. DRM has been at the forefront of ensuring that people with disabilities can live and work in the communities of our choice instead of in institutions and we continue to fight for community living and community-based services, which are more cost-effective and work better.
DRM was instrumental in eliminating the use of harmful seclusion and restraint in state hospitals. DRM fights for autonomy and communication access and for an end to discrimination. We help people become employed and contribute to the economy. The list of what we do goes on and on. And so we must fight to continue and ensure that disability rights are protected for decades to come.
Today, we ask for your help to do that – help us tell Congress that Maine believes in disability advocacy. Once you’ve signed, share with everyone you know! We are aiming for at least 3,000 signatures – can you help us get there?
Please, please, sign on today!
In solidarity, and with love and gratitude,
Kim Moody
Executive Director