Our History
A Legacy of Advocacy
Advocating Change Together (ACT) was founded by self-advocates in 1979 in response to the growing concern that individuals with disabilities were being isolated and excluded from decisions regarding their lives.
ACT has been leading the self-advocacy movement in Minnesota through advocacy, community organizing, training, and providing opportunities to individuals with disabilities that challenge institutional barriers that limit full inclusion in society.
Founding Members as stated in the 1979 Articles of Incorporation:
J.R. Sudduth, Mary O’Hara, Gloria Steinbring, Dale Muenzhuber, Joan Ribelin, Tinka K. Messenger, Joan Meixell, Walter Clouser, Dave Bremseth, Kevin Maning, Joan Pearson, Jim Gambone, and MaryLou Grabenc.
ACT acknowledges any legacy ACT members who contributed to the growth of this organization throughout our inception in 1979.
Foundational Moments in ACT’s History
Remembering with Dignity - 1990’s
ACT became involved in the Remembering With Dignity (RWD) project, working alongside advocates to identify, mark, and honor the unmarked graves of institutionalized Minnesotans with disabilities.
Self-Advocates of Minnesota Network - 2007
ACT established the Self-Advocates Minnesota (SAM) Network, connecting over 50 self-advocacy groups statewide through the six major regions of Minnesota.
State Self-Advocacy Conference - 2007
With support from the SAM Network, ACT launches a biennial statewide self-advocacy conference to promote self-advocacy, celebrate disability inclusion, and build stronger communities.
Olmstead Academy - 2013
The ACT Olmstead Academy was launched in response to the 1999 Olmstead Decision, training self-advocates to lead community integration projects
Other Notable Moments:
1996 - ACT launches Tools for Change, a series of educational resources that builds skills and knowledge that promotes personal growth and collective action.
2012 - ACT partners with SABE to host a National Self-Advocacy Conference in St. Paul.
2023 - ACT launches the annual disability pride festival, held on the front lawn of the Minnesota State Capitol Building.
2024 - ACT developed a new 5-year strategic plan, "ACT Forward," to strengthen self-advocacy, grow the movement, and secure long-term sustainability.
ACT is committed to honoring and documenting our rich history to guide the future of ACT. As the ACT team continues this work, we welcome any information, memories or pictures that you may have. If interested, please contact Adam Ruff at Ruff@selfadvocacy.org
ACT Logos Throughout the Years
1979-1990
ACT has used more than 8 colorful variations of this logo throughout the years which includes ACT in bold text with Advocating Change Together written out below it.
2017 - 2021
After years of using a minimalist logo, ACT moves to a logo that identifies us as the ACT center for Disability Leadership on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
2021 - 2025
Wanting to inject some color into the logo, ACT moved towards a 5 color circular gradient logo that identified us as ACT The Center for Disability Leadership.
2025
Signifying the next era of ACT, our new logo features a circular swoosh with ACT Advocating Change Together within it. The red, yellow, white, blue and green shown in the swoosh serves as an homage to the specific disabilities that are represented on the Disability Pride flag.
Photo Archive
