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"Our democracy was founded and forged by women and men who were quirky and complex but profoundly relational.  The very habit of building public relationships is part of the human constitution of vital democracy." — community organizer Michael Gecan

On Tuesday, October 13, 2009, about 60 members of the Disability Voting Coalition of PA gathered from all corners of the state and assembled in Harrisburg for our first annual statewide meeting.  Some of us were "quirky and complex," all were there to build relationships.  Meeting highlights included:

•  Connecting advocates and organizers from all over Pennsylvania and from all parts of the disability 
    community to share ideas and strategies.

•  Hearing from representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of State who affect the voting and voter   
    registration process.

•  Working together on action steps to implement the "We Count!" campaign across Pennsylvania.  The "We
    Count!" campaign will increase the number of voters with disabilities and raise awareness among
    providers about their rolein the voter registration process in keeping with the National Voter Registration
    Act (NVRA).

•  Learning how to replicate the efforts of local organizers who have engaged voters in a variety of ways.

Thanks to all who attended and to the local organizers who shared their stories:

John Tague, UCP of Pittsburgh; Bill Tatters, Disability Investigative Group; Tiffany Smith and Carol Kirk, Pheonix Center; Barb Cress, Grapevine Center; Verne Johnson and Denise Weis, Let Our Voices Be Heard; and Audrey Thompson and Jean Robinson, Hill Satellite.