Welcome to the SABE Website!
Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) is the self-advocacy organization of the United States. Founded in 1990, we have been working hard for the full inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in the community throughout the 50 states and the world for 21 years. Our non-profit advocacy organization is run by a board of self-advocates representing 9 regions of the country.
ALERT!!!!
Self Advocates Becoming Empowered needs the following information from your state. We are meeting with Commissioner Lewis and would like to share with her this informaton.
What has your state self advocacy organization accomplished in the last two years that you are the most proud of?
EXAMPLE:
- PF OF ALABAMA SUPPORTED CLOSING INSTITUTIONS SINCE 1996, LAST ONE CLOSED IN DECEMBER 2011.
- GREEN MOUNTAIN SELF ADVOCATES WAS SUCCESSFUL IN PASSING RESPECTFUL LANGUAGE BILL.
What is the biggest change in your state since the Self Advocacy summit? (for those that have already participated in the summits)
EXAMPLE:
- STATE TEAM HAS MET AND SUPPORTED PEOPLE FIRST OF ALABAMA IN FUNDING A MEETING TO WORK ON A NEW PEOPLE FIRST OF ALABAMA STRATEGIC PLAN.
Your regional representative will be contacting you to obtain this information.
Join Us for a SABE Conference Call & Webinar on January 24th!
Super Allies: The Real Role of Advisors
Time: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM EST
Space is limited.
Reserve your seat now at: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/c26w9q9ovygu
Self-Advocacy groups are run by individuals with disabilities, but sometimes it can be a challenge because of the great demand when running an organization or committee. This is where the role of an advisor comes in because they believe in the same values as self-advocates. They give support by helping self-advocates better understand information and to be better prepared for the work at hand. Come join the leaders and allies of the self-advocacy movement for a rich discussion on how to use advisors effectively. The webinar will provide tips on how to train and give feedback to advisors and allies.
Speakers: Betty Williams, President of SABE
Max Barrows, Vice President of SABE
Nancy Ward, SABE Co-Director of Project Vote
Chester Finn, SABE Advisor
Deb Kney, State Coordinator Advocates In Action
Vicki Turnage, SABE Advisor
Steve Holmes, Administrator Self Advocacy of New York State
This call is funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities and a national initiative of The Autism NOW Center. Autism NOW hosts free webinars every Tuesday 2:00 to 3:00 pm (EST). Designed for self-advocates, families, professionals, and the general public, these webinars encompass a wide variety of topics and practices in the area of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities.
For any further questions regarding these webinars, for more information on The Autism NOW Center, or for technical assistance, please contact Tonia Ferguson at tferguson@autismnow.org or Jennifer Sladen at jsladen@autismnow.org.
SAVE THE DATE!
The 2012 SABE Conference will be held in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 30-September 2,2012. Please visit www.sabeconference2012.com for more information!
Long Road Home 2012
Long Road Home is a week of events leading up to the anniversary of Olmstead on June 22.
Our Goal: The events are scheduled to celebrate the Landmark Supreme Court Olmstead Decision. The events are intended to bring public awareness to the meaning and spirit of the decision and to the many people with disabilities still waiting for that decision to be implemented so they can be freed from institutions across the USA so they can live a meaningful quality of life in their community of choice.
Click Here to learn more information about hosting a 'Long Road Home' event in your state! The next conference call will be held on January 6th, 2012 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT A JOB OPPORTUNITY WITH THE ARC OF TEXAS
Current SABE news
Find out what's going on with SABE!
- View the SABE Organizational Table-a helpful chart to understanding SABE's initiatives
- AFP Update Letter-Questions about state's committment to attend.
- CHECK OUT THE SUMMER 2011 ISSUE OF SABE NATION!!!
- Message to State Organizations about the Self-Advocacy Summits
- Information about Proposed Self-Advocacy Information and Training Centers- Click on this link and Print this out for Your State Summit!
- Message from SABE President
- SABE's Letter to the Alliance for Full Participation January 28th, 2011 Click here for Text Version
- SABE Calls For Strong Support of National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) Report on Closing Sheltered Workshops
- Read the National Disability Rights Network Report here and read SABE's statement of support in "HOT TOPICS" at the bottom of the page
- Print out a flyer and pass it out to your friends and co-workers! Click here!
- Read the National Disability Rights Network Report here and read SABE's statement of support in "HOT TOPICS" at the bottom of the page
Current SABE Surveys
- Survey on Self Determination: Fill out SABE's latest survey on self determination in your state!
- Survey on Employment and People with Disabilities: Help us work to improve employment for people with disabilities.
Hot Topics
January 28. 2011
SABE’s Call For Strong Support of National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) Report: Segregated and Exploited: The Failure of the Disability Service System to Provide Quality Work
Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) has clearly stated in its 2009 Position Statement on Employment that inclusion is a birthright and work is a civil right. Every American has the right to work in their community without discrimination for any reason. “We have been prepared enough. Get us real jobs. Close sheltered workshops.”
It was further resolved:
- SABE calls for equal employment opportunities for equal pay for all people
- SABE calls for immediately, no new people can go into Sheltered Workshops.
- SABE calls for immediately, no new people can join an enclave.
- SABE calls for ending the sub minimum wage in 2012.
SABE calls for ending enclave in 2014.
We strongly agree and support the NDRN Report Segregated and Exploited: The Failure of the Disability Service System to Provide Quality Work. This report explains the real problems with the sheltered workshop system. The big issue is that this is NOT an equal job opportunity system! When persons with disabilities are in this system, they are lead down a dead end road. They are isolated from opportunities to learn the skills they need to work in the community. They also do not get paid anywhere near the minimum wage. The long-term consequence of this is that persons with disabilities would have to rely on their families or the system to meet their basic needs, instead of becoming more independent. When people are independent, they build confidence, and become givers, not just takers. When you have a job, you end up paying taxes, whether or not you like it. Involvement in our economy is a really important part of true inclusion! It is time to take action! Put an end to sub-minimum wage and CLOSE SHELTERED WORSKHOPS!
We are tired of people saying one thing and doing another. We call for local and state self-advocacy groups to take action to support NDRN.
Betty Williams, President Self Advocates Becoming Empowered