“With a determined attitude and a willingness to teach – or take legal action if she’s not being heard – Brianna Hammon is a young woman who personally made the state of Nevada a better place to live for people with disabilities where she helps people who need speech generating devices, or supportive services.

Linda Taylor is the new representative for the non-profit VISTA/People First office in Mesquite. “My focus in Mesquite is to help people with disabilities in coordination with other programs such as the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities, the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and AmeriCorps,” Taylor said.

“Over 80 percent of people with disabilities live in poverty and my ultimate goal will be to create a sustainable group within our community of people with disabilities and to give them a strong voice on those issues that affect them,” she added.

Taylor’s initial challenge will be to start a “People First” chapter in Mesquite similar to the eight other chapters throughout the state. The “People First” concept means “we are people first” who also happen to have a disability. There are currently People First chapters in Reno, Winnemucca, Carson City, Elko, Fernley, Fallon, Las Vegas, Minden/Gardnerville and now in Mesquite.

Excerpt taken from the Mesquite Citizen Journal posted 7/22/11 by John Taylor. For full article visit http://www.mesquitecitizen.com/viewnews.php?newsid=114

“The rise was largely due to growth in cases of autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the catch-all category of “other developmental delays,” according to Coleen Boyle, director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the CDC, who led the study.”

More information is available at: www.disabilityscoop.com

People First Member, Las Vegas

When I first heard that I would be going to the A.D.D. (Administration on Developmental Disabilities) conference, I was nervous about what I would have to say or do. This was such a prestigious event that I did not want to mess it up. Advocating is the most crucial part of life!  Speaking up for yourself and others to help improve the quality of life is important, but even more important is knowing how, when, and where the time is right to speak up.  Any time is a good time to stand up  and be counted  for what you believe in, but in order to do that, you must be aware of important issues that are influencing your state.   It was an honor to be at the A.D.D. summit in Los Angeles with such great minds.  I felt privileged to have been chosen to go to this historic event.  Contributing with such influential people was inspiring, amazing, and wonderful.  To be effective, just be yourself, know what is important to you, and speak out.

Only a handful of important, influential people came from six states:  Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, and Nevada.  It was a gathering of great minds coming together to improve their states with their suggestions. We discussed how the A.D.D. can improve their policies and what the A.D.D. is. I was part of a dedicated group of people who protest for the rights of people with disabilities (like you and me).  The conference was held in numerous meeting rooms in the hotel.  We banded together, forming teams and alliances with other people at the conference. In the break-out rooms where we deliberated, there were people writing down our comments.  I was voted to be the reporter for the group, which was exciting. I got to go on stage to present to the crowd on what we had talked about, and I gave the verdict by microphone.  Wow!  I also created a perfect slogan that matched the theme of the conference with our state of Nevada: “I say N – E –V, you say A-D-A!” I started chanting it, and then all of the attendees joined in enthusiastically.  It was terrific and an amazing feeling to think that I had such a positive impact at the conference! I had a great time there. I was involved with something bigger than myself.    I was speaking up for the people with disabilities in Nevada. At the meetings we learned valuable lessons about how far good collaboration can go, and we found that a lot of us have similar concerns for our state and had come together for one reason – to work hard together.  Even though the conference only lasted two days, I felt like we really worked hard and collaborated well.  While I was there, I met the original lady who started the very first chapter of People First.  She was from Oregon.

It was a wonderful feeling to use our personal skills to help make new policies. After the conference was over, I felt proud that I had a hand in suggesting ideas to the A.D.D. so they can better help us. It was an empowering feeling to be one of the minds that helped to shape Nevada’s future.

By: Travis Mills

2/8/11

Hello my name is Travis Mills. I am an Americorps VISTA and a member of the People First of Nevada Self-Advocacy Group.

I was in a special education class throughout my whole life – I was not able to be included into a regular class because of my learning disability. I was really upset because I was not able to be included into a regular class-room with my friends.  When I got into High School at “Galena High School” I took 3 courses that did not have any kids with disabilities. They where Art class, Ceramics Class & Video Editing Class.

It changed my whole life to be in an environment with all sorts of different people including people with disabilities and non-disabilities. Because I was around friends without disabilities it gave me the courage to go and work independently at places where people without disabilities work. Working in that environment made me feel really good about my self & I felt included with other people around me.

I applied at different jobs like the grocery business and the Wrecking Yard Business. There most of the people did not have a disability. I was included with my friends and I felt like I didn’t have a disability any more.

Today, I have a job where I get paid and I have my own house and my own car and my own life.

Desmond Morrison, along with two others, participated in a new program entitled “Talk the Talk,” which teaches individuals how to give speeches and create digital visual aids. Participants learn the basics of public speaking and speech composition, and are instructed to implement these skills as they advocate for themselves.

The training, which took place at the Las Vegas Best Buddies office, consisted of four one-and-a-half hour sessions, and was completed in August.

Participants are encouraged to deliver their speeches in the community once the training is completed.

The program represents collaboration among Best Buddies Nevada, People First of Nevada, and the Youth Transition Project.

Mr. Morrison gave the speech below on September 10^th, 2010 at the Las Vegas Chapter People First meeting at the Doolittle Community Center:

My name is Desmond Morrison … Let me introduce myself.  I attended Liberty High School and graduated in 2008.  I am twenty years old.  Originally, I am from northern California.  Today, I would like to talk to you about believing in yourself and how I became successful.  I’ll tell you about the job that gives me money!

I got my first job at Target in my senior year of high school.  I had to start off picking up shopping carts and taking them back into the store.  After my first year, I was promoted to the sales floor.  It was much better to be out of the 115 degree weather, bringing in your carts!  I finally got to stay in air-conditioning!

I was able to learn using hands-on experience.  At first, I was scared to work at the register.  What if I made a mistake or did not give back the correct change?  My supervisor trained me and I made mistakes, but got better.  For example, my first customer on the register was a lady with crazy hair going to a wedding, and she wanted her money back fast!  I was nervous, but gave her the money back fast!  I hope she made it to the wedding on time!

Today, I may make a few mistakes here and there, but I have gotten much better at the register.  I like knowing how to use the cash register, but like the money I make more.  This year is my third year at Target.  I work eighteen to twenty hours a week.  In fact, I’m off to work   right after the speech!  Look for me at the register.

I am proud my job has taught me many skills like operating the cash register, collecting carts, and stocking products.  I like to do all of these things.

I look forward to my future.  One day I hope to work in the restaurant business.  I know I will have to work hard, but I know I can do it.  Recently, I got my health card, and I will start a culinary program called PACE, which is taught at a new school called the Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

One day, I hope I am a sous chef at my favorite restaurant, Red Robin.  I can’t wait to create my own type of avocado burger!  Would you like to try it?

Overall, I am proud that I was able to learn something new.  I am now able to do many things that make me more marketable.  And one day I will be making your avocado burger at Red Robin!  I know I have a long road ahead of me, but with the guidance of my family, friends, and teachers, I can do it.  You, too, can succeed.  Thank you for listening to my story.  I hope I have given you a new perspective.  I would like to end with a quote by Les Brown: ‘Shoot for the moon; even if you miss it, you will land among the stars.’

Thank you.