Minnesota lawmakers and disability providers agree: We must reform and rebalance our state’s disability system, and ARRM is leading the way with its Blueprint for Reform. Please join us at ARRM’s Day at the Capitol to ask your legislators to prioritize services for people with disabilities and support ARRM’s reform plan.

Save the date
Our Day at the Capitol is on March 1, 2012 at the State Capitol and State Office Building. We will have room 500N and 500S State Office Building reserved for the entire day, from 8:00 a.m. until 5 p.m., and we rally in the Rotunda at 10:30 a.m. Bring your organization’s banner and make signs to hold up at the Capitol!

Make legislator appointments
In an effort to avoid multiple appointments for a legislator throughout the day, Sara Grafstrom will be making appointments with legislators for those that have not previously coordinated with other groups in their district. Please indicate on the registration form if you will be making your own appointment or would like Sara to make the appointment for you.

Find out who your legislators are
1. Go to this website
2. Enter your home address and zip code
3. Or, call 651-296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550 or TTY 651-296-9897 during regular business hours

Prepare your story
Your personal story is the most important information legislators can get during your meeting. Sometime before March, ARRM urges you to prepare your story. Please ask your staff and families to complete a storytelling document to leave behind with their legislators. You can also find tips on how to tell your story here.

Incorporate ARRM's main message
Our main message is: “People are still hurting- this is how past budget cuts have hurt me and the people I serve. We need reform now.”

Register
There is no registration fee. Simply complete this hard copy registration form or this online registration form by Friday, February 10th, 2012:

• Email: Sara Grafstrom at sgrafstrom@arrm.org
• Fax: 651-293-9389
• Snail mail: 1185 North Concord St, Suite 424, South St. Paul, MN 55075

Plan your visit
Click here for more information on directions, food and parking. Last year, ARRM filled the Rotunda with nearly 1,000 disability advocates! Your presence made a resounding impact, and we'd like to see hundreds of people at ARRM's Day at the Capitol again this year. If you decide to bring consumers to the event, make sure they have informed permission from their parent or guardian.

Materials at the rally
We'll hand out packets at the rally:

• ARRM's Blueprint for Reform and a variety of associated documents
• Map of Capitol and House and Senate Offices
• Agenda and last minute updates and calls to action on critical issues
  

Sign up for a sponsorship
If you'd like to reach hundreds of disability advocates, please consider sponsoring this event. Hundreds of people attend ARRM’s annual Day at the Capitol rally, including Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), mid to executive level provider management, self-advocates, and family members. Sponsors may place one letter-sized (8.5 in by 11 in) flier in each attendee’s folders.You provide the fliers, and we’ll collate them. For more information, contact Barb Brynstad or complete an online form.

For more information:
Sara Grafstrom,
Director Advocacy and Community Relations
sgrafstrom@arrm.org
651-291-1086, ext. 8