Causes: Civil Rights, Disabilities, Disabled Persons Rights, Intergroup & Race Relations, Race

Mission: Mission Statement: We believe that people with disabilities should be treated as equals. We should be given the right to make the same decisions, and to have the same choices and responsibilities as anyone else. We should be allowed to make new friends and renew old friendships and be as independent as we are able. We should be able to live where we want to live and work where we want to work. We should also be included in society and not be singled out as being different. We will work to accomplish these ends in New Hampshire. About Us: People First of New Hampshire began in 1992 by citizens who experience disabilities. It is the only statewide self-advocacy organization led by people with disabilities. We support over eighteen chapters and groups across the state. Our work is focused toward bringing people together to speak-up about concerns and common issues. We provide a way for people to build skills to advocate for themselves. We promote empowerment and expect that people will become less dependent on others and find the strengths and skills within to take responsibility for their own actions. Meetings: The board of directors meet monthly and the membership meets with the board on a quarterly basis. Local chapters may meet one to two times per month. We hold regular workshops of a variety of self-advocacy topics, and, collaborate to hold an annual conference for young-adult self-advocates. Goals: People First of New Hampshire's #1 goal is to help close institutions across the world. The name of the goal is "Institutions: Close Them!” Activities related to this goal have included: conducting a national survey to determine the worst institutions people are most concerned with so that our board could prioritize action; presented at the National Self-Advocacy Conference in Kansas City, Missouri in September 2010, Members of the board are planning to help other states that have institutions by writing letters to policy-makers, holding rallies, visiting people in other states. In order to do this, it requires travel funds. Goals Continued: • People First of New Hampshire has a second goal to promote young adult self-advocacy to establish a new generation of members. The board sponsors regular workshops and an annual conference (just for young adults) for which funds are needed. • Young adult self-advocates have organized together to produce a video series called “Changing Attitudes, Educating Others”. This online video series through You Tube has received international recognition and used in classrooms and board rooms across the world. • New Hampshire’s Alliance For Full Participation (NHAFP) follows the national AFP with a variety of members interested in promoting employment. Networking: People First of New Hampshire has several ways to connect with the world: www. peoplefirstofnh. org and www. institutionsclosethem. org; Several Facebook pages: People First of New Hampshire; New Hampshire Generation Y Not Committee; New Hampshire Alliance For Full Participation with focus on employment; A Friends page and a Cause page on Facebook for “Institutions: Close Them!

Target demographics: Citizens in NH who experience a disability and wish to advocate for him/herself. People First of NH has over 18 local chapters with approximately 300 members and supporters from throughout the state.

Geographic areas served: New Hampshire, and a resource throughout the world

Programs: Goals include:1.Institution: Close Them!2.Support to Generation Y-Not Committee of young adult self-advocates to hold annual conferences3.Young Adult Self-Advocacy Committee to work together in organizing workshops throughout the year 4.NH Alliance For Full Participation With Focus On Employment