Heart of the Disability Community, Podcast: Opponents to Oppression, and FREE ZINES!
Rally at the Capitol
Montana Centers for Independent Living along with over 40 other Montana organizations stand united to protect decades of progress. They refuse to be herded back to the 1970s, when hundreds of thousands of Americans with disabilities were warehoused in state institutions, invisible to society. Today, Attorneys General in 17 states want to erase Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a pivotal law that ensures equal access and dignity. How many people with disabilities in those states endorse revoking their basic protections? Precisely zero. This is a pivotal moment: either we uphold inclusive, community-based living and personal choice, or we risk sliding backward into an era defined by isolation and lost potential. The rally cry from Montana is loud and clear: we will not repeat the failings of the past.
The Montana Disability Community has repeatedly asked for a face to face meeting with Attorny General Austin Knudsen, who is signed onto this lawsuit. Online submissions, in writting, dropping off our concerns physically at the reception area of his office has received no response. He seems unable or unwilling to speak to a group of people who represent over 25% of the state he was elected to serve.
Mr. Knudsen, you are in one of the most pwerful positions in state governement. Montana is poised to be a beacon of what is possible for all communities. We are ready to actualize real community based services, real community integration. We are ready to work with you to better our state, to better the lives of 250,000 Montanans. Will you help us? Will you meet with us? Will you please take your name and Montana off the Section 504 lawsuit?
Podcast: Legislative Updates, Opponents to Oppression
Updates from our Director of Public Policy, Christa Gabriel.
*Since the recording of this podcast, there have been updates and hearing for some of the bills discussed.
Information Mentioned in Podcast
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Let’s Stay Connected, grab a Coffee, and Change the World
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. We hope these updates empower you to stay informed, engaged, and active toward actualizing true inclusion of people with disabilities. Please share this newsletter with friends, colleagues, and anyone else interested in disability justice and living beyond compliance.
Let’s keep pushing for a more inclusive and equitable Montana—together!
For questions, comments, or to get involved, just reply to this email or visit our website: disabilityrightsmt.org.
Me ka mahalo,
Kona Franks-Ongoy
Director of Communications
Disability Rights Montana