Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered -Rutland (SABE-R)

SABE-R is a group facilitated by ARC. The group holds monthly meetings in which they:

Learn self-advocacy skills to stand up for their rights
Learn life and social skills necessary to be empowered
Set and achieve individual and group goals
Speak and act for themselves
Speak to Legislators about their needs
Attend the annual Voices and Choices Conference in Burlington
Educate the community about their abilities, how they want to be treated, and any accommodations they may need through their Disability Acceptance Clinics.

SABE-R Disability Acceptance Clinics aim to educate professionals on how individuals with developmental disabilities have hopes and dreams just like everyone else and how they want to be treated with the same respect and kindness shown to others; emphasizing the commonalities between people living with developmental disabilities and the non-disabled population. Members also explain what accommodations may be needed to help them understand and fully participate in interactions with professionals such as health care workers, court staff, the police, and such.

The group has expanded their presentations to include more audience engagement through conversation and a series of “What if” questions based on the barriers and prejudice those with disabilities face every day. The aim of these questions is to help the audience truly understand the challenges our members face by asking them “What if you” were in this situation.

The members learn to get comfortable speaking and answering questions about their disabilities and how they are affected by them. They also address how the nondisabled treat them, and how sometimes that can be more limiting to them than their actual disability.

Clinics have been held and well received at Park St. Healthshare, the VT Dept. of Health Rutland office, Rutland Superior Court, and Vermont State University Castleton Campus. We hope to schedule clinics with the Rutland City Police Dept. and Project Vision soon. SABE-R members also presented to Maggie O’Brien from the Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRCP) as to what the needs and desires are of those with developmental disabilities so the RRPC can try to address them in the 2026 Regional Plan; as well as to Jamie Bentley from Rutland Regional Medical Center regarding their health planning. We are very proud of our members for doing this brave work.

SABE-R Members identify and use their abilities while bringing inclusion, joy and fun!

… with time and care, we can learn to understand each other.
…. with time and patience, we can get the job done.
…. We are all equal

SABE-R is affiliated with Green Mountain Self Advocates.

Above: Self Advocates Jessie Traverse and Tony Buck along with ARC Executive Director Diane Drake testified before the Human Services Committee at the Vermont State House in Montpelier on March 1, 2023 for Disability Awareness Day. Jessie also met up with an old friend, Rep. Mary Howard. You can see their testimony at https://tinyurl.com/muvpda9b