Join us NOW to make the November elections the best for people with disabilities! Wisconsin Disability Vote: 2004 A Voter Education and Get Out the Vote Project Co-Sponsored by Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy and the Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities Voting does more than help elect officeholders. Through the act of voting, groups and individuals empower themselves as active players in the arenas where policy decisions are made. Politicians listen to voters. On the issues that matter most to our lives—ending waiting lists for affordable housing or attendant care, getting good rates and wages for attendants or an integrated education for children with disabilities—we will fare better if more of us vote more consistently. To make this happen, attend this very important workshop. Voting Rights: A Guide to Ensuring Every Vote Counts This portion of the workshop is designed to educate providers, agencies, poll workers, people with disabilities and their allies about voting rights, barriers to voting and what to do to ensure equal access at polling places. Among other topics, the following areas will be covered: Criteria to Vote Guardianship & Competency Challenging Votes Voter Registration & Absentee Ballots Get out the Vote: A Guide to Energizing and Mobilizing The Disabilities Vote In this portion of the workshop, we will provide participants with the know-how to organize their own GOTV campaigns as well as the ability to evaluate and choose from the menu of GOTV techniques available: How do you target and reach voters? Is a phone bank right for your community or would a lit drop be more effective? What should a direct mail piece look like and how should key messages be identified? With a limited budget, what are the most effective ways to leverage free media? The GOTV portion of the workshop will be hands-on and practical with tips from people who have conducted effective and successful GOTV efforts for campaigns, small and large. Who Should Attend People with disabilities, guardians, case managers, direct care staff, administrators, advocates, poll workers, county and municipal clerks are welcome. The Facilitators Steve Verriden, with 13 years of experience at an Independent Living Center, has organized and worked in the disability rights area for over 10 years with ADAPT on issues such as long term care, housing, and accessibility. Steve has conducted trainings in the field of organizing, advocacy, strategies, and tactics for over 5 years. He has also worked on disability rights through his service on City of Madison Equal Opportunities Commission, the Mayor’s Housing Committee, and the Dane County Specialized Transportation Commission. Anne Medeiros provides political consultation on lobbying and grassroots organizing to provider association and coalitions, representing over 6000 people with disabilities and 6000 direct care workers. Anne has developed and facilitated over 15 trainings for the disability community. Formerly, Anne worked at a political party and coordinated a program to ensure that the right to vote was upheld of every legal, voting-age citizen in Wisconsin. Melissa Mulliken has a wide range of experience in political consulting and strategic communications. She has worked as a paid consultant for more than 25 campaigns and has handled all aspects of campaign management including field operations and GOTV, paid media, fundraising and media relations. For the past decade she has run her own public affairs firm, serving both candidates and non-profit, corporate and government clients. Registration Form Name Agency Address City State Zip Phone Fax Email Fee: $10 (includes lunch, refreshment and workshop materials) Please check if you would like your fee waived due to economic hardship ___ Please check if you would like a travel stipend ___ Please list any special accommodations (please notify 2 weeks in advance): RSVP Anne Medeiros, CAPOW, 2034 Helena St. #2, Madison, WI 53704, phone and fax: (608) 241-2705, annem@capow.org. If registering after the RSVP deadline, please do so by phone, fax, or email. Please make checks payable to the Community Alliance of Providers of Wisconsin. Workshop Dates and Locations Superior August 26th, 10:30am-3:30pm Superior Public Library 1530 Tower Ave. Superior 54880 RSVP deadline: August 23rd Janesville August 31st, 10am-3pm Rock County Job Center 1900 Center Avenue Janesville 53546 RSVP deadline: August 23rd Eau Claire September 9th, 10:30am-3:30pm L E Phillips Memorial Public Library 400 Eau Claire St Eau Claire, WI 54701 RSVP deadline: August 30th La Crosse September 10th, 10am-3pm Independent Living Resources 4439 Mormon Coulee Road La Crosse 54601 RSVP deadline: September 1st Green Bay September 20th, 10am-3pm Central Library 515 Pine Street Green Bay 54301 RSVP deadline: September 10th Milwaukee September 21st, 10am-3pm Tommy G. Thompson Youth Center State Fair Park, Enter Gate 5 at the corner of 84th and Schlinger RSVP deadline: September 10th