Staff Testimonials
For decades, MDLC has worked tirelessly to advance the rights and dignity of Minnesotans with disabilities. Because of our efforts, countless Minnesotans are living and working in the community. Kids with disabilities are attending school and getting the education they need to live and work independently. Adults can access services to leave public benefits programs and live independently. Cuts to these services and our advocacy funding puts these trends in reverse, which costs all of us.
Recently, I have helped clients get the vocational rehabilitation services they needed to start a small business or keep a job. I represent clients to get the supports they need to stay housed, and to be protected from illegal discrimination and harassment. Thanks to my efforts, clients’ civil rights are recognized and protected. A cut to our MDLC funding reduces my capacity to do any of this. In sum, it puts back years of work and impact advocacy that we are uniquely qualified to undertake on behalf of our client communities.
-Legal Director Anne Robertson
As a staff attorney for MN Disability Law Center, I am a voice and advocate for people who often aren’t given the right to speak for themselves – people with disabilities. MDLC helps people with disabilities get full access to government services, businesses, education, healthcare and employment. Through negotiation and lawsuits, I’ve helped my clients get the accommodations they need – like prescriptions in braille for my client who is blind, ASL interpreters at government, business, or medical appointments for my clients who are deaf, and reserved parking spaces and handrails for my clients with mobility impairments. Without MDLC, many people with disabilities would not be able to fully participate in society.
-Staff Attorney, Sonja Peterson
In my work as a legal advocate with the Minnesota Disability Law Center, I recently assisted a client in successfully appealing the denial of their waiver eligibility. Without the services and supports allowed under this waiver, the client would not have access to various assistive technologies necessary to help in keeping them safe and able to live in their family home in the community.
-Legal Advocate, Yumma Moore
Funding cuts to the Minnesota Disability Law Center would directly harm people with disabilities who rely on Medical Assistance and home and community-based services to live safely and independently in the community. These services allow people with disabilities to access direct care, residential supports, and equipment that they need to live in the community. MDLC provides legal representation and advocacy to make sure people with disabilities have access to the support that they need to live in the community. For many people with disabilities MDLC is the last line of defense preventing institutionalization.
-Supervising Attorney, Chad Wilson
Life without the disability law center is unfathomable. Protection and Advocacy agencies can never go away. Our friends at Disability Rights New York shared this incredible overview. Read it, arm yourself with knowledge and share with your congressional representatives.
-Executive Director, Milo Mumgaard