This year’s legislative session was one of the toughest we’ve seen for disability services. At times, it felt like the needs of people with disabilities were being pushed aside—services at risk, support systems strained. But when times are hard, we rise.
On May 21, six passionate advocates from HCO made their voices heard at an emergency rally at the Minnesota State Capitol. They joined others from across the state to stand up against harmful budget cuts. Together, they sent a clear message: people with disabilities deserve strong, consistent, and person-centered support.
The very next day, on May 22, our Grassroots Advocacy Task Force came together for its monthly meeting. We talked about the latest updates to the state budget and what they might mean for the people with disabilities.
One of the most meaningful parts of the meeting was celebrating a Letter to the Editor we submitted to help raise awareness in the wider community. The letter shared the story of someone who’s faced serious challenges when staff support wasn’t consistent—and how high-quality services can make all the difference.
We took a closer look at how government works with a helpful visual that showed the differences between the Minnesota Legislature and the U.S. Congress.
As we looked back on this past year of advocacy, we shared photos, stories, and favorite moments from events like our self-advocacy training, civic responsibility workshops, voting discussions, and more. We wrapped things up with laughter, connection, and ice cream—celebrating our progress and the strength of our voices.
We’ll continue to keep you updated as we learn more from the Department of Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) about how the final budget decisions will affect services.
This is what advocacy looks like—showing up, speaking up, and never giving up.
