To our MOHR members, self-advocates, families, friends, and allies - thank you. Your voices, your persistence, and your courage throughout this year’s legislative session did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. In what proved to be a particularly challenging session, your commitment to advocating for people with disabilities and the professionals who support them was a powerful reminder of the strength and unity within our community.
We faced significant hurdles this year. Proposals such as the reduction of the Absence and Utilization Factor for Day Services and the capping of scheduled rate adjustments within the Disability Waiver Rate System would have far-reaching effects on the quality and accessibility of services across Minnesota. These changes, if enacted, would reduce funding for day services significantly and limit the state’s ability to fairly adjust provider reimbursement rates in line with economic conditions - threatening provider sustainability, workforce stability, and, ultimately, the opportunities available to the people we support.
In the face of these threats, our community showed up. You reached out to legislators, testified at hearings, wrote letters, shared personal stories, and helped others understand the real impact of policy decisions. The power of your lived experience and your advocacy helped shape the conversation and keep disability services a priority. Your work is the reason we continue to have a voice at the table.
We also extend a special thank you to the legislators who engaged meaningfully with their communities - those who took time to listen, learn, and ask questions. Your willingness to hear the stories of people with disabilities and their families, and to understand the nuances of the services they rely on, is deeply valued. Your leadership and empathy play a crucial role in building a more inclusive and equitable Minnesota.
As we look ahead, we urge everyone in our community to continue this momentum. Keep telling your stories. Reach out to your legislators - not just during the session, but all year long. Connect with your service providers to learn how you can advocate effectively, get the latest updates, and understand the talking points that matter. Your voice matters. Your experiences matter. And when you speak up, you help create change - not just for yourself, but for families and individuals across the state.
Thank you again for being champions of this work. Together, we are shaping a better future for disability services in Minnesota - one conversation, one story, one act of advocacy at a time.
