Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities

10/14/2026

On October 7, 2026, the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities hosted a day of grantee presentations highlighting achievements from the past year. Brenton Rice of the Odyssey Group opened the session with a report on Class 43 of Partners in Policymaking.

From September 2025 to May 2026, thirty‑one dedicated advocates completed 128 hours of intensive leadership and disability rights training. According to Rice, nearly all participants increased their advocacy skills; 100 percent of family members and 94 percent of participants with disabilities reported feeling more confident speaking up about what matters to them. Graduates are now strongly engaged in advocacy activities and cross‑disability coalitions. They described the program as "invaluable," "empowering," and a source of lifelong connections.

We are proud to celebrate these new graduates as they continue leading change in Minnesota and beyond.

10/12/2026

We are grateful to our final presenters of the weekend, Julie Guidry and Dupree Edwards, for closing out the session with creativity and insight. Their presentation, “The Art of Access and The Art of Voice and Choice,” invited participants to think about accessibility and self‑expression in new ways. Through art, storytelling, and practical strategies, they illustrated how people with disabilities can lead conversations about inclusion while shaping the supports and opportunities that work best for them.
Their session was an inspiring end to an engaging and impactful first weekend for Class 44!

10/07/2026

A huge thank you to our History of Self‑Advocacy panelists, Mary Raasch and Katie McDermott, for bringing depth, energy, and lived experience to this important topic. Their discussion helped Class 44 explore both the long tradition and the ongoing work of self-advocacy within disability communities. Participants also took part in hands-on activities from the Ambassadors for Respect program, a powerful bullying‑prevention initiative led by self‑advocates. The exercises encouraged thoughtful conversation, teamwork, and reflection on how to build environments where respect, inclusion, and leadership can thrive.

10/06/2026

Congratulations to the Partners in Policymaking Class 44 on completing their first weekend of workshops and learning together! Over the weekend, participants explored four foundational topics: the History of Services, the History of the Parent Movement, the History of Independent Living, and the History of Self‑Advocacy. These sessions provide the grounding that helps new Partners understand how far disability advocacy has come—and how their voices and leadership will continue shaping the future.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our graduate panelists, who shared their personal experiences, insights, and lessons learned as Partners graduates: Prince Cole, Dupree Edwards, Jean Hauff, Mary Hauff, Freya Roherty, and Reid Scheller. Their stories and wisdom brought real-world context to the training and inspired Class 44 as they begin their journey.

10/02/2026

As we count down to the 40th anniversary of Partners in Policymaking, our Council will be sharing a new collection of stories each month leading up to May 2027. Each installment will highlight a different theme and showcase the lasting impact the Partners program has had on its graduates, their families, their communities, and the systems they've helped transform.

Our first installment celebrates October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, focusing on employment, opportunity, and advocacy. Graduates share how the Partners program shaped their careers—building confidence, opening new possibilities, and equipping them with the tools to advocate for themselves and others.

These stories show how expanded workplace opportunities can change individual lives while strengthening the development of more inclusive policies and communities.

As we count down to the 40th anniversary of Partners in Policymakin...

09/24/2026

Knowing your rights is the first step to protecting them. Under Minnesota Statute 245D, waiver recipients have 11 core rights designed to support independent, self-directed lives.

Watch the YouTube training series from the MN Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities to see practical examples of these rights in everyday situations and how you can speak up: https://treatpeoplelikepeople.org/learn/

09/23/2026

The 4th Annual Disability Pride event was a huge success. Thank you to Advocating Change Together. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to pick up Treat People Like People merchandise. Congratulations to all the artists who signed their posters.

09/21/2026

The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities mourns the passing of Dr. William Bronston, a close colleague and integral contributor to the Council for the past 40 years.

Dr. William Bronston’s life stands as a testament to courage, advocacy, and an unwavering belief in every human being's dignity. As the photographer who documented the realities of Willowbrook, he ensured that the world could no longer look away from the profound injustices faced by people with developmental disabilities. His images were not merely photographs—they were catalysts for conscience, sparking public understanding and igniting movements for reform.

Beyond Willowbrook, Dr. Bronston brought a visionary spirit to the disability rights landscape. As the architect of Project Interdependence in the early 1980s, he championed the idea that young people with and without disabilities contribute to their communities through leadership training. His work invited society to expand its understanding of independence to interdependence, framing it not as isolation but as connection, mutual support, and shared humanity.

Dr. Bronston’s career intertwined with some of the most influential figures in disability rights, including Ed Roberts, Mark Gold, Burton Blatt, and Wolf Wolfensberger. As a colleague to these pioneers, he stood shoulder to shoulder with individuals who reshaped policy, thought, and practice. Together, they pushed the boundaries of what was possible. Yet Dr. Bronston’s contributions were uniquely his: compassionate, visionary, and rooted in a deep commitment to justice.

He leaves behind a legacy that continues to echo across disability advocacy, social reform, and community inclusion. His recent book, Public Hostage, Public Ransom: Ending Institutional America, reminded us that every life counts, every voice matters, and every person deserves the chance to belong.

09/16/2026

Tomorrow is the (rescheduled!) 4th annual Disability Pride Festival. We will be at the Minnesota state capitol from 10-2 and hope to see you there! 

We have over 50(!) vendor booths as well as 4 food trucks with free food. 

We're also excited to share details about another activity immediately following the Festival, taking place in the Capitol Rotunda. MCIL's "Celebrating Constitution and Citizenship Day, Independent Living and the Right to Vote" starts at 2pm!

09/14/2026

Minnesota's 4th Annual Disability Pride Festival Rescheduled for September 17 During Disability Voting Rights Week

New Date. Same Pride. Even More to Celebrate!
Join us on September 17 at the Minnesota State Capitol from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Advocating Change Together (ACT) has announced that Minnesota's 4th Annual Disability Pride Festival has been rescheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the grounds of the State Capitol. The festival will once again bring together self-advocates, families, friends, organizations, artists, policymakers, and community members from across Minnesota for a day of celebration, advocacy, and connection.

The festival was originally scheduled for July but was postponed due to forecasted extreme heat. As the week unfolded, hazardous air quality from wildfire smoke added another significant public health concern, reaffirming that prioritizing the health and safety of the disability community was the right decision.

"While we were disappointed to postpone the festival, we're grateful we made the decision when we did," said Jennifer Walton, Executive Director of Advocating Change Together. "As the week unfolded, worsening air quality confirmed that protecting our community's health and safety had to come first. Disability Pride is about making sure everyone has the opportunity to participate, and that begins with creating an event where people can gather safely."

The new festival date also coincides with Disability Voting Rights Week (September 14–18), creating a unique opportunity to celebrate disability culture while highlighting civic engagement, self-advocacy, and leadership. This year's festival theme, "Rooted In Pride. Growing Our Future." reflects ACT's commitment to honoring our history while investing in the next generation of self-advocate leaders.

"Disability Pride has always been about more than one day," Walton said. "It's about celebrating disability culture, strengthening community, and making sure disabled people are heard, valued, and leading every day of the year. We're excited that this new date connects Disability Pride with Disability Voting Rights Week, creating an even greater opportunity to celebrate our community while highlighting the importance of the leadership and voices of disabled people—in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our communities, and at the ballot box."
ACT’s annual Disability Pride Festival brings together self-advocates, families, friends, artists, disability-led organizations, service providers, policymakers, and community members from across Minnesota to celebrate disability culture, leadership, advocacy, and community. The festival features exhibitors, entertainment, community resources, speakers, and opportunities to connect with disability-led organizations from across the state.

ACT also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received following the decision to reschedule.

"The encouragement, understanding, and flexibility shown by our vendors, sponsors, tablers, volunteers, performers, and community partners reminded us exactly what makes Minnesota's disability community so remarkable. It's a community built on connection, leadership, and people showing up for one another. We're looking forward to celebrating together this September," Walton said.

The September festival offers an opportunity to celebrate disability culture, strengthen community, and recognize that disability pride and civic participation go hand in hand. ACT invites everyone from across Minnesota to join in celebrating the leadership, contributions, and voices of people with disabilities during this meaningful week.

About Advocating Change Together (ACT)

Advocating Change Together (ACT) is a Minnesota-based, disability-led nonprofit organization that supports the leadership of people with disabilities to fight ableism and build inclusive communities. Through self-advocacy, leadership development, public policy, and community organizing, ACT works to ensure disabled people have equitable access to leadership, opportunity, and decision-making.

Advocating Change Together, or ACT, supports the leadership of people with disabilities to fight ableism and build inclusive communities. Learn more about our mission! Our Vision ACT envisions a world where people with and without disabilities are valued for their contributions and have equitable ac...