People First of New Hampshire was established in 1991 as a self-advocacy group for individuals with disabilities. Over the past 20 years, they have advocated for the rights of those with disabilities, published materials to promote self-determination, and worked towards closing institutions and supporting community living. Their goals now include organizing employment training and hosting social activities for young adults with disabilities.

1. Brief History & Accomplishments
of People First of New Hampshire
1992 ~ 2012
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2. The first self-advocacy group started
in the Lakes Region in 1984
Other groups started soon after in Salem,
Dover, Keene, Concord.
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3. A steering committee was formed in 1990 and by 1991, People First
of NH was established. It became incorporated with a board of
directors by 1992.
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4. The First conference was held in Manchester in 1991.
Senator Tom Harkin joined us and encouraged us
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5. We attended our first
international self-advocacy
conference in 1993 in Toronto,
Canada. We have attended
National Conferences every
other year in: Alaska,
Oklahoma, Virginia, Rhode
Island, New York, California,
Georgia, Indiana, Missouri. In
2001 we participated in an
International Conference in
England.
In 2010, we presented in Missouri
about our goal, Institutions: Close
Them! with a panel of self-advocate
experts from across the country!
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6. We have had reading/discussion groups about Roland Johnson—A
National Self-Advocacy Leader. From this is the creation of a
presentation done across the country titled: “Find Your Passion &
Voice”
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7. Our published work includes:
Large Pepperoni Pizza
With An Advisor On The Side
A book for self-advocates to hire, supervise
and train their advisor, 1998 and revised in
2008 which has sold internationally.
“I Got That Right”
A Video about rights produced by People First
of New Hampshire, 1994
“It’s My Life” - A Video Where Self-Advocates
Discuss the Importance of Self-Determination,
1997
“Ten Years of Self-Advocacy in NH” – A video
about the history of People First of NH, 2002
Now, we have a People First of New
Hampshire You Tube Channel with over 20
videos including our new film: Institutions:
Close Them!
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8. In 1997, 2001 and 2010, Self-Advocates in NH join others throughout
the country to March For Freedom to Close Institutions!
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9. Self-Determination
Whose Life Is It Anyway?
Self-Advocates Survey Peers Using the
“Who Decides?” Survey
Who makes the decisions in your life?
Then, based on the TV hit-show, “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” - we show
audiences across the country that:
We make decisions about driving, about getting married, living on our
own, traveling, running our own meetings about our lives...and much
more…
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10. We speak often to others about our lives—and encourage
everyone to be leaders
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11. In 2002, People First of New Hampshire Celebrated Ten Years By Hosting a
Harmony Through Arts Event
Drumming Performance Singing
Exhibiting Our Painting
Toasting Our Ten Years Together
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12. We’ve worked on issues such as:
•Changing the MR word in all of NH’s laws (Senate Bill 153)
•Getting Self-Advocacy Training Centers in the DD Act
•Participating on the Waitlist Committee to help improve the
way our staff are hired and trained and paid. (Senate Bill
138)
•Planning a Presidential Candidate Forum with other state
and national organizations
•Developed a plan to start putting stories together of people
who lived at Laconia State School – to put in a book and a
movie
MR
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13. We offer training & discussion events
on the following topics:
•Voter Education
•Employment & Careers
•Find Your Passion & Voice
•Relationships
•Dreaming Of A Future
•Board Leadership
•Budgets
•Emergency Preparedness
•First Aid
•Sharing Stories
•Closing Institutions
•We promote our work through our
website, blogs, chat rooms,
Facebook, videos, email listserves,
e-newsletters
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14. Currently, our main goals include:
We organize and host monthly events, meetings and activities by young
adults for young adults.
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15. We organize employment-
related training events and
planning meetings for people
throughout the state with live
online broadcasts. We have
a team of peers, business
owners, employment
specialists, parents and
family members as part of
our alliance to promote
employment for people who Certificate of Achievement Awards
experience disabilities. given after completion of employment/
career training.
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16. The goal to help close institutions began in 2009. Some of the activities of this
goal have included
•Virtual Rallies: The organization of virtual rallies in every corner of the world to
coincide with a collection of video productions from those who took part. These
can be seen on our You Tube Channel.
•Petitions:
Institutions: Close hem! http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/institutions/;
Close Institutions In Texas
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/closeinstitutionsintexas/;
Close The Judge Rotenberg Center: Zapping Children is Torture
http://www.ipetitions.com/my/petitions/294438/promote
• Survey to determine states to focus on
http://www.peoplefirstofnh.org/Summary%20Data%20Responses%202010%2
•Facebook Page and Cause with over 2500 participants
•Webpage with all of the goal details
•New Film Release with over 1,300 views since January 2012
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17. Comments & reviews
from our latest film
release
HSRI, The Riot!: Institutions: Close Them! is a timely and powerful film that
reminds us of the terrible loss of life, happiness and human potential resulting from
over 100 years of storing people away from their communities. It is clear that
institutions have nothing to offer in the 21st Century. Rather, they are costly
monsters that consume limited resources better spent on community-based
services that support people to have real lives, real jobs, a home of their own, and
real relationships with people they choose - just like anyone else.
Michael T Bailey, Parent & Chair of the National Disabilities Rights Network:
With this film People First of New Hampshire has made a strong contribution to
human rights. Segregation and isolation of any group is barbaric. It is past the
time where institutions for persons with intellectual disabilities be placed where they
belong - history's garbage dump. Thank you for your leadership.
See all comments at new website dedicated to Institutions: Close Them! Film.
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18. We are People First of New Hampshire!
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