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ABLE NH, Advocates Building Lasting Equality is a small but growing grassroots organization. ABLE has continued to make a difference in the lives of people who happen to experience different abilities. Recent ABLE highlights include:
- Hiring an Organizing Director-Linda Quintanilha who is building an army of advocates, while expertly and efficiently handling office tasks, responding to families, and writing grants. Additionally, Lisa Beaudoin was hired as a Policy Organizer. Both Lisa and Linda are graduates of the NH Leadership Series and heavily involved in Leadership, Linda as a group leader and Lisa as a mentee for the coming year.
- Cohosting with the NH Leadership Series our 3rd annual Golf tournament, raising money while raising awareness on disability issues and we are busy working with the IOD Leadership team on this year’s tournament.
- Managing three task forces 1) The Right to Communicate, 2) Transition to Employment, and 3) Medicaid Managed Care. The communities are hard at work and would love for you to join their efforts to improving systems and services.
- Organizing a candidate’s forum in Keene wherein 14 candidates become educated on disability issues and policy. ABLE NH planted the seeds for a Disability Caucus and continues to build strong legislative relationships.
- This legislative session, ABLE NH responded to calls from coalition organizations to fight against harmful legislation. We had a column in Foster’s Daily Democrat decrying HB 620-threatening NH’s precious Rules on Special Education as well as made the front page of the Concord Monitor. ABLE was present at a cross coalition die-in when US HHS Director Price was in town, letting him know we oppose the ACHA.
- Our Medicaid Managed Care Task Force played a lead role in passing SB 155, a bill to delay managed care until at least July 2019. More importantly, ABLE built coalition with groups across the disability life span by standing beside CFI and nursing facilities waiver communities. Over 30 members testified or submitted legislation and our voice was HEARD! At the SB 155 hearing, a long time employee from the Department of HHS said she had never seen such an extraordinary cross section of disability represented in one room. We overflowed the halls.
- Working with stakeholders to build a disability coalition and strengthen relationships in our community, calling our round table discussions “Truth and Justice Tuesdays.”
- Requesting educational funds for survivors of Laconia State School who were denied their rights to a public education. When ABLE heard Roberta Gallant lamenting that she never had the opportunity, we responded. We asked governor Sununu and Commissioner Edelblut to make surplus funds available and recently learned that DHHS and the DOE are going to make this dream a reality!
- Kickstarting seven statewide chapters. Among outreach activities: summer picnics are planned in Manchester and Nashua. A benefit Blues-B-Q was held by the Monadnock chapter on July 23rd. Please see ABLE NH’s web page for chapter and Task Force details and how to get involved.
- Finally, we had an amazing time at the ABLE Rocks Event in June. Over 100 people attended and enjoyed wonderful food including a “Smores” bar donated by the Draught in Concord. Dave Ouellette and Jill Prakop were the evening’s celebrity bartenders. Dick Cohen was an amazing key note speaker. The city of Concord was honored for their work to make Main Street accessible and a plaque was accepted by the Mayor. Kids and adults of all abilities were able to enjoy the rock-climbing wall with the assistance of the team at EVO Climbing in Fitness in Concord. Thanks to all who attended and helped make the night such a success. Stay tuned for next year’s event details. Naturally, we aren’t sure if we can top this year’s but we’ll give it our best effort!!
To join us in the fight for disability rights, contact info@ablenh.org or visit www.ablenh.org.
View more photos on the ABLE NH Facebook page >
