The self-advocacy movement in Nevada began when a group of people with developmental disabilities decided to meet and discuss self-advocacy and self-determination.

There were many challenges to getting a statewide group together, including traversing the rural nature of Nevada and a lack of funds to pay self advocates for their work. However, self-advocates joined forces with the NCED.  Through this partnership and a grant from the Corporation for National & Community Service, 5 VISTAs were funded to develop local People First chapters and a statewide organization. These efforts officially kicked off People First of Nevada in May 2003.

There are currently 9 active chapters in Reno/Sparks, Las Vegas, Mesquite, Fallon, Fernley, Elko, Winnemucca,and Carson City, as well as a statewide board.  Members are involved in local issues in their communities and offer testimony and legislative advocacy to create positive systemic changes for people with disabilities in Nevada.

People First of Nevada remains a project of the NCED, with additional funding from Americorps VISTA, Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Matley Foundation.  The VISTA project has grown to become a Youth Transition Project, which the NCED operates in collaboration with Family TIES of Nevada.  Currently, with the addition of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the project has 13 VISTA members, with and without disabilities, working on self-advocacy and transition issues throughout the state.

Read more about People First at:
People First of Nevada’s web page

Need help with acronyms?
Check out NCED’s list of definitions at Alphabet Soup