Let Your Voice Be Heard!
Dear Families & Friends,
Many of you have probably heard that our 2012 legislative session has started and are wondering what this might mean to your loved ones receiving supports through TURN. Now is the time to let your voice be heard. You can make a huge impact by contacting your local representatives in the House and Senate by email, letter, or phone calls. To locate the names and contact information for your State Senator and House of Representatives member, go to http://le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp, enter your address, and click on the links provided.
What information do you need to share with legislators? Here are some key points you might share:
- Ask legislators to protect the most vulnerable. Share with them how State funding helps you care for a loved one with disabilities. Explain what would happen to your family if funding were cut.
- Remind legislators that current levels of funding are wisely and carefully used and have positive impacts in our community. State programs help individuals with disabilities be more independent. State funding actually helps individuals give back by working in the community, where they are taxpayers and consumers who support local business. State funding keeps people with disabilities out of institutions.
- Help your legislator understand that people are involved, and they are working on a “human budget” that protects our most vulnerable citizens. These are our families, friends and neighbors, not just a line item in a budget.
- Ask legislators to support the Governor’s Budget.
Please share your personal story with legislators. If you would like to be more involved, please contact me at 801-524-8603.
Thank you for your involvement that will benefit all Utahns with disabilities.
Sincerely,
"I am an artist", said Kathy Thomas when asked to describe herself. "And there's a lot of talents I can do, like exercise dancing. I do word search and jigsaw puzzles. I do cursive writing and I can do printing. I am good at bowling." Kathy says she has lived in many places in Utah, and currently loves the little 3-bedroom house she shares with two roommates. She is happy that she can walk to the market and her bank. She also likes the Orem Center Street Day Program she attends because of the friends and all the creative activities. "I think being an artist is real good. You can make pretty pictures and hang them up everywhere." 
