Brief History & Accomplishments of People First of New Hampshire 1992 ~ 2011

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Brief History & Accomplishments

of People First of New Hampshire

1992 ~ 2011

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The first self-advocacy group started in the Lakes Region in 1984

Other groups started soon after in Salem, Dover, Keene, Concord.

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A steering committee was formed in 1990 and by 1991, People First of NH was established. It became incorporated with a board of directors by 1992.

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The First conference was held in Manchester in 1991.Senator Tom Harkin joined us and encouraged us

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We attended our first international self-advocacy conference in 1993 in Toronto, Canada. We have attended National Conferences every other year in:Alaska, Oklahoma, Virginia, Rhode Island, New York, CaliforniaGeorgia, Indiana, Missouri. In 2001 we participated in an International Conference in England.We have been key presenters at these conferences and are national self-advocacy leaders! 

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Large Pepperoni Pizza With An Advisor On The SideA book for self-advocates to hire, supervise and train their advisor, 1998  “I Got That Right”A Video about rights produced by People First of New Hampshire, 1994 “It’s My Life” - A Video Where Self-Advocates Discuss the Importance of Self-Determination, 1997

“Ten Years of Self-Advocacy in NH” – A video about the history of People First of NH, 2002

Now, we have a You Tube Channel with over 20 videos! 

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We have had reading/discussion groups about Roland Johnson—A National Self-Advocacy Leader. From this is the creation of a presentation done across the country titled: “Find Your Passion & Voice”

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In 1997, 2001 and 2010, Self-Advocates in NH join others throughout the country to March For Freedom to Close Institutions!

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Whose Life Is It Anyway?Self-Advocates Survey Peers Using the “Who Decides?” Survey

Who makes the decisions in your life? 

Then, based on the TV hit-show, “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” - we show audiences across the country that:We make decisions about driving, about getting married, living on our own, traveling, running our own meetings about our lives...and much more… 

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We speak often to others about our lives—and encourage everyone to be leaders

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Drumming Performance  Singing

Exhibiting Our Painting      

Toasting Our Ten Years Together 

In 2002, People First of New Hampshire Celebrated Ten Years By Hosting a Harmony Through Arts Event

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We’ve worked on issues such as:

•Changing the MR word in all of NH’s laws (Senate Bill 153)•Getting Self-Advocacy Training Centers in the DD Act•Participating on the Waitlist Committee to help improve the way our staff are hired and trained and paid. (Senate Bill 138)•Planning a Presidential Candidate Forum with other state and national organizations•Developing a plan to start putting stories together of people who lived at Laconia State School – to put in a book and a movie

MRMR

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We offer training & discussion events on the following topics:

•Voter Education•Employment & Careers•Find Your Passion & Voice•Relationships•Dreaming Of A Future•Board Leadership•Budgets•Emergency Preparedness•First Aid•Sharing Stories•Closing Institutions•We promote our work through our website, blogs, chat rooms, Facebook, videos, email listserves, e-newsletters

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We are People First of New Hampshire!