On October 19th and 20th, 2009, the Statewide Independent Living Council along with Summit and Montana’s other three Centers for Independent Living held a Statewide Independent Living Symposium at the Grand Holiday Inn in Billings, MT. The theme for the symposium was Road to Change.
The symposium brought together representatives from all of MT’s Centers for Independent Living and people with disabilities from all across Montana. At symposium we identified and discussed issues that affect Montanans with disabilities and jump-started our preparation for the 2011 Legislative session. Participants also learned how to be an effective part of positive change.
We are currently in the process of working with the SILC and the other three Centers for Independent Living to refine the seven priority issue areas that emerged from the symposium to determine our priorities for the pending 2011 Legislature.
We will be holding another Statewide Legislative Symposium, titled You Have the Power…Live the Dream!, in Missoula on July 26th & 27th, 2009 which will include the next steps in pursuing our legislative priorities.
