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DAVID: I'm David Decker, I'm from Jerome, Idaho.
I'm part of the EPIC Committee and also a member
of the Idaho Self Advocate Leadership Network.
In 2017, self advocates like myself in Idaho
played a big key role in the passage
of the ABLE Act here in our state.
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The ABLE Act allows individuals like myself
with a developmental disability
to be able to save money in a special savings account
without risking eligibility
to our Social Security and our Medicaid.
No matter laws you're about to push in your state,
we hope this video helps you develop
a plan for success.
MEL: My name is Mel Leviton
and I'm the executive director
of the State Independent Living Council for Idaho.
Legislators often think they know what people need
and what communities need,
but until they talk to us, they don't necessarily.
GRANT: Well I'm Senator Grant Burgoyne
and I represent parts of Boise and Garden City
in the Idaho State Senate.
I contacted the Council on Developmental Disabilities
to see what we might do to get the ball rolling in Idaho.
We then got other stakeholders involved
who had the pulse of the people
with developmental disabilities
who are the intended beneficiaries
of the federal program.
I think what we came up with
was not only acceptable to the disability community,
I think they were highly supportive
of the approach that we took.
DAVID: Self advocates have a big role.
It is very important that you be a part of the change
in your state by contacting your legislators,
whether it's email, snail mail,
phone calls, make an appointment.
They're always great to talk to in person.
MEL: Christine from the DD Council and I,
we developed a blocking system.
She would go out into the hallway,
slowly walk a legislator back over to where I was,
which is usually near a bench,
and so we essentially could kinda corral 'em.
You can't just wait for opportunities,
you really have to make those opportunities happen.
SHILOH: Your story matters.
Your experiences make it real for them.
My name is Shiloh Blackburn.
I'm the Idaho State President
for the Idaho Self Advocate Leadership Network.
Most people with disabilities,
we live below the poverty level.
If you have bills or medication you need to buy,
repairs on your vehicle or repairs on your chair,
the ABLE account would allow me
to pay for those repairs, to pay for any medication
that isn't covered by Medicaid.
I don't have the luxury or the money
every time that happens to pay outta pocket.
GRANT: Hearing from people
with developmental disabilities
on this and other legislation that I brought is the key.
JACK: My name is Alan Jack Hansen, Jr.
I'm from Boise, Idaho.
I'm a disability self advocate.
I appeared in front of the House and the Senate
Health and Welfare Committees.
As a direct result of my testimony,
I got a standing ovation.
People with disabilities have always wanted to save.
This is their opportunity.
I can save up for a car 'cause
being able to live on my own,
very important to me.
DAVID: I sent my testimony into my legislators
and made sure that they knew
how important the ABLE Act was for myself.
JACK: In order for the legislators to understand
your point of view, get involved.
Use your voice.
You have a voice.
SHILOH: For Idaho, the ABLE Act will begin in July
or August of this year, so it's going to be exciting.
It's going to open a whole new world.
JACK: I'll be one of the first people to sign up.
You can bet on it.
DAVID: If you're getting ready to push legislation,
please visit EpicNationalPartners.org/Legislation
for more information on how to pass legislation
in your state.
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