People First of Atlanta

People First of Atlanta is a SELF-ADVOCACY group that means "people with disabilities speaking for ourselves and working together to reach our dreams and goals." Eight people living in a group home in Oregon in 1974 started the first self-advocacy group in the United States. They were tired of being seen just as "disabled." They said, "We are people first," and that became the name of the group. There are self-advocacy groups all over the world today.

People First groups are based on the principle of SELF-DETERMINATION - FREEDOM to make choices and plan our own lives. We want authority to have control over money and resources. We choose the people to give us SUPPORT when we want it. We want RESPONSIBILITY for our choices and actions and in being part of our communities.

The members run the group and decide on the activities. We:

• Help each other to make our dreams come true;
• Learn and teach each other about our rights and responsibilities;
• Speak out about important issues;
• Work to make changes in the system
• and Have fun and support each other.
  

  For more information about People First of Atlanta, contact the President, Renita Bundrage, at disABILITY LINK (404) 687-8890 xt 101.
  

  
  disABILITY LINK
  755 Commerce Drive, Suite 105
  Decatur, GA 30030
  (404) 687-8890 Voice
  711 (TTY Relay)
  (404) 687-8298 FAX
  Email: info@disabilitylink.org
  

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