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Making a Difference to People with Disabilities
Eight people living in a group home in Oregon (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. Today, People First of Georgia is a SELF-ADVOCACY group that means “people with disabilities speaking for ourselves and working together to reach our dreams and goals.”
Bernard Baker is the current President of the 600 member organization across 25 chapters within the state of GA. 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.