As part of our work to facilitate community inclusion and self-advocacy for people with intellectual and development disabilities, ten of our Self-Advocates had the opportunity to attend the Speak Up Speak Out Summit in Springfield. This 3-day conference of speakers provides a platform for people with disabilities to exercise the fact that they have a voice and choices in what they do with their life.

They attended various workshops with over 300 other advocates from around the state. Some of the workshops they attended included Your Right to Vote, HCBS Setting Rules, Problem Solving and Supportive Housing.

The conference was hosted by the Illinois Self-Advocacy Alliance in collaboration with The Arc of Illinois and The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities.