Welcome to the SABE Website!
Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) is the self-advocacy organization of the United States. Founded in 1990, we have been working hard for the full inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in the community throughout the 50 states and the world for 20 years. Our non-profit advocacy organization is run by a board of self-advocates representing 9 regions of the country.
Current SABE News
- Free SABE Conference Call August 18th “Partnerships…Let’s Shake It Up! Are You with Us Or Not?”
The focus of this call is on how self-advocacy organizations form partnerships with family support organizations. Through these monthly calls we have been getting the message out about self-advocates and families working together. We would like to continue to work with family support groups and what to hear your ideas. The call will take place from 3 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT (2 p.m. CDT, 1 p.m. MDT, 12 p.m. PDT)
To register online: http://www.directeventreg.com/registration/event/84858165
To register via phone: (888) 869-1189 or (706) 643-5902
- Click here to read the SUMMER issue of Self Advocacy Nation!
The 2010 National SABE Conference will be held in Kansas City, MO September 23-26. You won't want to miss it!
Click here to visit the conference website and stay up to date on the latest details! Be sure to sign up for e-mail updates on the conference!
Current SABE Surveys
- Survey on Self Determination: Fill out SABE's latest survey on self determination in your state!
- Survey on Employment and People with Disabilities: Help us work to improve employment for people with disabilities.
Hot Topics
From Chester Finn, President of Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered
In honor of Craig Smith, self-advocate leader from Mass Advocates Standing Strong
I’ve know Craig for a long time. Way before SABE. I’ve known him from the days when Craig and I were on a self-advocacy committee for AAIDD. Well now they are called American Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. But back in those days they used the MR word. Craig and I tried to get them to change the name back in those days and get more self-advocates on their board. But back then they would not put people on the board they had that self-advocacy committee instead.
Craig and I used to talk about sports and different things than self-advocacy. He was a friend. But he loved his Boston team and that was fine with me as long they were beating the Yankees.
I remember one time I came to a MASS conference and Craig and Liz and Ann met me at the station and helped get to the hotel. They were very supportive.
Craig was a great leader. He wanted to make sure that the voice of self-advocates was heard on a national level as well as in the states. Craig was not afraid to speak up to authority and question what was going on. I don’t think Mass Advocates Standing Strong would be where they are today without Craig’s leadership. Craig was always telling a joke, lifting people’s spirits. We are going to miss him and miss his leadership.
On Behalf of SABE we want all self-advocates and their families to know we are sorry for your loss.