"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? ... Your playing small doesn't serve the world..." - Marianne Williamson (often, incorrectly, attributed to Nelson Mandela)
ABLE NH advocates for the civil and human rights of all children and adults with disabilities and promotes full participation by improving systems of supports, connecting families, inspiring communities, and influencing public policy.
ABLE NH is the result of a year-long, intensive, multi-organizational planning committee which met to address the long overdue need for a solid and sustainable grass roots community organizing effort that could directly advocate for children and adults with disabilities in New Hampshire. The group was led by, and included, the premier organizations surrounding disabilities in NH, including: the Institute on Disability at UNH, the Disabilities Rights Center, the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Parent Information Center, NH Family Voices, NH Area Agencies, Direct Support Providers, People First, and most importantly parents and self-advocates.
ABLE NH Dues Structure.pdf
Annual Membership $60 per year
Sustaining Investor $240 per year
Recently passed SB 147 requires the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan to enroll all Medicaid recipients in a Managed Care plan.
Read more in the special edition of The NH Challenge . Click here for the story.
able membership cards.docx
Lost in Laconia
Not so long ago people with disabilities were handed down a life sentence, through no wrongdoing of their own, in a state institution in NH where horrible abuses took place - Laconia State School and Training Center.
ABLE Member, Jennifer McIntosh, along with other Leadership Series participants have worked with leaders in NH to document the History of the School in a marvelous film called, "Lost in Laconia".
Click here to learn more about the project.
Restraints in Schools
Our state and federal government are looking to make law the restricted use of restraints used against children in our schools. Check out this link. You will be inspired by Rep. George Miller's fight to keep kids with disabilities safe in our communities.
Across the country, there is so much work to be done. Here is just one link to many on youtube.
Including Samuel
Every teacher needs to be able to teach every child in the general education setting with supports. Check out the Including Samuel Project .
Inclusive Post Secondary Education
Alberta, Canada Universities are leading the way in full participation for students with developmental difference. Click here to learn more.
Inspiring Communities.pdf
Gamaliel National Leadership "Weeklong" Training -
March 25-31, 2012 - Youngstown, NY Register Now!
ABLE NH First Annual Banquet
April 28, 2012 6pm - 11pm
Bektash Shrine Center, 189 Pembroke Road, Concord
Tickets will be available on January 4th!
ABLE Statewide Board Meetings
First Tuesday of the Month 6:00pm*
*January Board Meeting is Jan 3, 2012, from 3-7pm
ABLE NH First Annual Motorcycle Ride
August 18th, 2012
Starting at the Meredith, NH Harley-Davidson Dealership
8am registration. Additional details to be posted soon!
Request for Event to be added to the ABLE Website Calendar of Events.docx
ABLE Members across the state are speaking out and being heard!
ABLE NH Members Protest outside Phenix Hall in Concord
Click here for the Concord Monitor Story
ABLE Member Jennifer McIntosh named Celebrated Woman of the Month by Monadnock Women. Click here to read more (pages 12 & 13).
ABLE Member CarolAnn Edscorn is a guest on NHPR's The Exchange. Click here to listen.
ABLE Board Member, Adrienne Mallinson speaks to Stepping Stone Magazine about Employment Rights .
ABLE Board Member, Mary Schuh is inducted into the UNH Diversity Hall of Fame. Click here to read more.
ABLE Board Member, Pat Vincent Piet speaks out about Phenix Hall accessibility. Click here to read more.
ABLE NH Member Linda Quintanilha speaks out about Voting and Civic Involvement on "Disabilities Rights Center Presents . . . "
ABLE NH Press Release Launch of New Website.pdf
ABLE Board Member, Jan Larsen is currently serving on Developmental Services Quality Council
The Quality Council was established to provide leadership for consistent, systemic review and improvement of the quality of developmental disability and acquired brain disorder services provided within New Hampshire's developmental services system.
Learn more about the work of the Quality Council. Contact Jan to provide input or share your vision of quality services.
SB519 - ABLE Organizers arm families with necklaces made of chess game pawns and ABLE buttons to protest the introduction of SB519 as a means of bringing attention and support for the gambling bill. SB 519 proposed budget cuts to DHHS waitlist and other vital services. Families and individuals with Disabilities sent a strong message to the committee, we will not be "pawns in the game of politics". Click below to read testimony of Linda Quintanilha, ABLE NH Vice Chair.
Testimony SB519 3.18.10.pdf
Join or Start a chapter
Connect to families in your area. Get involved in the issues they are working on or bring your concerns to a powerful group of leaders ready to help make change!
The ABLE website committee is looking for new members. Our priorities are:
1. Update so that it is easier to access
2. Membership software and interface
3. Email marketing
4. Newsletter
5. Procedures for updating website
Special Education Funding
Special Education Funding is complicated and many commnities are not aware of the reimbursements given for special education. Too often communities see special education as a "budget buster"
Help end the myth of the $100,000 child. Get the facts, meet with your local school board representative, write a letter to the editor of your paper and talk to neighbors, post on Face book, tweet or hand out flyers at school board meetings.
Stop divisive practices in your town.
Build a stronger community
for your family.
People needing support are more likely to fulfill their dreams if they have well trained, experienced and motivated team of support professionals.
Former ABLE board member, Robin Carlson is taking a leading role in enhancing the status of DSPs in NH. Visit http://blog.nhadsp.org to find out more
Special education funding 5-2010.pdf
New chapters are emerging every day...
Make a difference in your local community, join forces with powerful leaders to affect needed change for your family!
Contact a leader in your area today!
Concord - Gina Colantuoni
Jaffrey-Rindge - Deborah Opramolla
Peterborough - Linda Quintanilha
Keene - Jennifer McIntosh
Littleton - Jennifer Pineo
Manchester - Jan Larsen
Seacoast Area - Susan Hatfield
21 South Fruit Street
Suite 22
Concord, NH 03302
info_ablenh.org
603.271.2336
We look forward to hearing from you!
linda.quintanilha_gmail.com Telephone 603.494.1183
JanLarsenBio.pdf
Board Member bio coming soon.pdf
askjan603_hotmail.com
Telephone 603.742.0500
pinkygirljen_yahoo.com
Telephone 603.831.8291
saiken_communitybridgesnh.org
Telephone 603.724.7039
Adrienne Mallinson.pdf
AdrienneM_drcnh.org
Telephone 603.228.0432
ginacolantuoni_yahoo.com
Telephone 603.
vincent-piet_ablewriter.com
Telephone 603.715.4315
Mary Schuh.pdf
mary.schuh_unh.edu
Telephone 603.228.2084
blessed576_yahoo.com
Telephone 603.970.0518
jenndrewpineo_yahoo.com Telephone 603.616.7170
Carol.M.Stamatakis_ddc.nh.gov
Telephone 603.271.3236
email n/a
Deborah Opramolla
dopramolla_hotmail.com
Telephone 603.899.3132
email brhorer3_yahoo.com
Telephone 603.755.1614
nickholzthum_me.com
Telephone 603.501.9188
Linda Quintanilha.pdf
Annual Membership $60
Sustaining Investor $240
