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Welcome to Our Website!
Advocates in Action Rhode Island is Rhode Island's Statewide Self-Advocacy organization with federal 501(c)3 non-profit status. Use the MENU on the left to navigate our website, and feel free to contact us if you're looking for something specific! If you're looking for the date of any upcoming events, CLICK HERE for our EVENT CALENDAR. Note: you can also reach this link through our site menu on the left.
New to Self-Advocacy? Check out our "SA Pokey" music video to find out what it's all about!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR'S LEADERSHIP SERIES GRADUATES!!!
Tracy Lee Allard
Tiffani Archambault
Erin Camerlin
DJesica Canuto
Crystal Cerullo
Michael Coyne
Stacey DeCosta
Orquideo Depina
Elizabeth Graves
Geromeo Kue
Nicholas Nastari
Shannon O'Neill
Kimberly Poirier
Leah Schwender
SAVE THE DATE for RI's 24th Annual Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference!
"Fear LESS - Do MORE!"
Thursday, October 31st, 2019
Thanks to Everyone Who Attended Rhode Island's 2019 Statewide Self-Advocacy Meeting,
"Hey, You're the Quarterback!"
Person-Centered Planning means finding out how you want to live your life and then figuring out what you need to live it that way.
It's NOT just about relying on government-funded services and support staff. It's about discovering your strengths, connecting with others,
and being an active and equal member of your community.
Click here to view our powerpoint presentation, You'll Know It's Person Centered When ..., that our Leadership Series Class shared at the 2019 SA Meeting.
If you want to know more about Person-Centered Thinking and Planning,
or others issues regarding how the RI Developmental Disabilities Services System works,
WHY NOT?!?! Thursday, October 25th, 2018 at the Crown Plaza in Warwick
The 2018 event was Rhode Island's largest Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference to date, with an awesome gathering of 485 attendees, including 142 at this year's Youth Track! Participants during the conference day also experience the opening session People Power Parade and "Why Not?!? Shout Out messages presented by the Leadership Series Class of 2019.
We were thrilled to have our amazing Friend of Self-Advocacy, and Rhode Island's very own singer/song-writer and musician, Mark Cutler join us again this year. Mark has worked with us in the past and we always love to have him! At RI's 23rd Annual SA Conference, he helped the audience create and incredible multi-voiced and meaning-filled song about the power to speak-up and ask "Why Not?!?"
Conference attendees also had a choice of 20 different workshop presentations and multiple resources displays throughout the day. Click here if you'd like to see what the presenters talked at this year's conference. You never know, maybe it will inspire YOU to share presentations at the 2019 Statewide Conference on Thursday, October 31st??
As in the previous 22 years of hosting this incredible event, we are again grateful to everyone who helped make RI's 23rd Annual Self-Advocacy Conference a success, including:
The Presenters who combined their experience and expertise to offer an extraordinary mix of 21 different workshop sessions
Our dedicated Conference Committee, including members of the AinA Board of Representatives and Employees, Peer Mentors and Friends of Self-Advocacy, who meet throughout the year to plan, organize and run the event
The volunteers, including students from Brown University, who provide hands-on help with set-up, clean-up and a whole range of support in-between
The members of our current 2019 Leadership Series Class, who gave it their all, and then some (you guys were super spectacular!!)
The on-going support we receive from the RI Department of BHDDH, Division of Developmental Disabilities, in addition to the generosity of this year's sponsors, which continues to help us keep the cost for individuals to attend the conference as low as possible
Finally, special thanks to all of the 485 people who attended the conference day, and/or came to the Costume Dinner Dance to Party the night away with us. The conference wouldn't mean a thing without each of you. Remember, together we're making a difference!!
Check Out this Year's Leaderships Series Class ... Leading the People Power Parade at Why Not!
Sometimes you have to think outside the box to find the things you really want. Everyone is different, and awesome in their own unique way!
A Lofty Ambition
Don't let anyone stop you from pursing your dreams!
Having a Good Day!
Having a "good day" means different things for different people, but there's no "wrong answer", as long as YOUR good day means doing that things that matter most to YOU!
Ideas about Your Individual Service Plan
When something is "individualized", it means it's created specifically for the person who it's all about. It's like getting an outfit custom-tailored so it fits you perfectly. It's like ordering "a la cart", or "off the menu". If you don't the thing you're looking for, don't just settle. Ask questions. Find out what's possible and choose the things that are important to you!
Ideas About the Support Intensity Scale ("SIS")
The SIS is a set of questions about your day to day life, and what kind of support you need to be successful. The SIS is NOT a test, so you can't get the answers wrong, because it's all about you! Don't be afraid to let the people who are asking your the questions know what you need.
R-Word Busters!
Sticks and stones and NAMES HURT, TOO!
I Will Hold My Head Up High, and Keep It There Everyday
An awesome song about being proud, with lyrics by Leadership Series graduate, Amy E.
