Announcements, News and New Resources:

* Link to People First Language: the basics   (New)

* Tell Congress your personal story about why we need the Community Choice Act   (New)

* Link to National Conversation on the State of the State Budgets Teleconference   (New)

* Link to The Grassroots Committee Report: 1/17/09 in Houston, TX   

* Link to National Forum on Disability Issues  

* Link to Self Advocacy Online website

***  ANNOUNCEMENTS CONTINUED BELOW   ***

Meet Ben Borroel - SABE Region 3 Representative

Ben Borreal was born in Steamboat Springs in 1958 and raised in Glenwood Springs Colorado where he attended school. School was extremely difficult for Ben. At the age of six months old, he was diagnosed with epilepsy. When he got into school Ben was passed from one grade to another.  In 1975 Ben was introduced to a non-profit organization called People First and also got involved in the state organization named Speaking For Ourselves. He has been an active member and board member for over 26 years.

 Today Mr. Borroel is the Acting President of People First of Colorado Springs and was picked for Project Leadership this year. He's also involved in the national organization called Self Advocates Becoming Empowered where he serves as a regional representative for Region 3.

Another group he is involved in is Housing Advocacy Coalition. He has served as Secretary, Vice-President, and President of this organization. He has a good rapport with Representative Bill Sinclair. Mr. Sinclair has been helping to get more money in the State Housing Fund. Ben is also sitting on a committee to help start a Housing Trust Fund for the state of Colorado.

Ben's Mom lives in Grand Junction, Colorado. Ben has two sisters, Phyllis and Charlotte and one younger brother, James. All of his family are natives to Colorado.

In 1992, Ben met his sweetheart to be and was wedded September 11, 1993. Her name is Charlene Welch. She was everything Ben wanted in a mate. Ben explains: "She makes me laugh. She's beautiful and she's fun to be around but most of all she loves me." Ben and Charlene have been married 7 ½ years and they still can't stand each other. Ha Ha.

Ben and Charlene Borroel

* Self Advocates Share Their Creative Side

* Friends of Richard LePointe
* Read the transcript from the November 2nd Presidential Forum on Disability Issues in New Hampshire
* Side-by-Side Comparison of 2008 Presidential Candidate Responses on Disability Issues
* Ashley X Statement
* ACTION ALERT: DD Act Self Advocacy Information & Training Centers
* SABE Summit Statement

* A Survey of Technology Use
* "Katrina" a Story of Survival
* Possible Recommitment to the Alliance (3-8-05)
* Response to "Apology from Alliance" (2-14-05)
* Letter regarding SABE's position with the Alliance for Full Participation Summit (2-2-05)

	WHO WE ARE S.A.B.E. Self Advocates Becoming Empowered. The United State's national self-advocacy organization.  We are a national board of regional representatives and members from every state in the US.   What we believe in. * People with disabilities should be treated as equals. * People should be given the same decisions, choices, rights, responsibilities, and chances to speak up and empower themselves. * People should be able to make new friendships and renew old friendships just like everyone else. * People should be able to learn from their mistakes like everyone else.		SABE Resources SABE State Updates SABE Reports SABE News Letters Project Leadership SABE ADA Report ECS Grant SABE Goals Join SABE SABE Products SABE Contributors Resource Links SABE Site Map Statewide Chapters SABE Archives

	OUR GOALS * Make self-advocacy available in every state including institutions, high schools, rural areas and people living with families with local support and advisors to help. * Work with the criminal justice system and people with disabilities about their rights within the criminal justice system. * Close institutions for people with developmental disabilities labels nationwide, and build community supports.		How you can help S.A.B.E.! Join a Self-Advocacy Group! Come to the national conference! Donate to SABE with check or money order

	For questions about membership and finding local and statewide self-advocacy organizations contact SABE at: P.O.Box 30142 Kansas City, MO 64112 SABEnation@gmail.com   Sign our Guest book HERE