People First St. Charles

Every person should be able to live their very best life, and they should get to determine what that best life looks like for them.

People First St. Charles is a local chapter of MO State People First. It is a membership that is run by, and for, people who have a developmental disability. Members of People First are empowered to self-advocate so that they can affect positive change at all levels of society. People First of St. Charles members teach each other skills for self-advocacy, empower each other to understand their rights and speak up for themselves.

Graphic of people standing under a tree made of hearts

Working together to raise awareness

People First at Disability Rights Day in Jefferson City
People First at Disability Rights Day at the state capitol.

From working on a yearly legislative campaign to speaking at city council meetings, People First members go out into the community to raise disability awareness. They advocate for the rights of all people with disabilities.

Members truly make a difference in their community and believe that all people with disabilities deserve to have a voice in their own lives, should be able to work at a competitively paying job, and should be able to live in the community with supports if necessary.

They have participated in campaigns such as “Clean Up Your Language” and “Don’t DIS my ABILITY” to promote inclusion and celebrate the ability and diversity of people with disabilities. Their advocacy efforts have resulted in changed laws including laws related to the asset limit for adults with disabilities, and increased wages for Direct Support Professionals. They are a mighty group that works to make things better for all people with disabilities, as well as the people in their lives who support them.

As a People First member, you will be able to meet new people, build relationships and be part of the bigger community. You will have an opportunity to increase your communication skills, attend conferences, and speak about issues that matter to you. You can learn more about your rights as a person with a disability and help others learn too.

Members participate in a statewide Steering Committee made up of many People First Chapters, they participate in Disability Rights Day in Jefferson City, they attend Real Voices, Real Choices as well as many other wonderful things.

 

Taking Action

Bring About Legislative Change

Working at a county and state level the St. Charles People First members identify what laws may need to be changed, or what bills need to become laws, or sometimes what bills need to be advocated against so they don't become laws. They campaign at city council meetings to speak about local changes, as well as at the state level for legislative changes.

Join a People First meeting

The F.A.C.T. People First chapter in Saint Charles County, which has more than 60 members, meets on the third Wednesday of every month at the F.A.C.T. Office (2240 Bluestone Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303). Members learn about their rights, give each other support, and help to raise disability awareness.

Anyone interested in working for the rights of people with disabilities is welcome to attend, but voting is restricted to members.

To find out how to participate, please fill out our online referral form.

F.A.C.T. is the administrative agency for People First St. Charles.