Our History

Founding Members

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. 

“It is not the individual who must change to fit society, but rather, society and systems that must change to accommodate all people. -Cliff Poetz”

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.

A group of fifteen people at the "ACT Planning Meeting" on April 20, 1991.
A group of people at a protest, with one person in a wheelchair and others holding signs that read "JUSTICE NOT CHARITY" and "DON'T BALANCE the Budget ON THE BACKS OF Poor people."

ACT Throughout the Years

ACT in bold blue letters centered at the top with Advocating Change Together written in small black font below.

1995 - 2017

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.

ACT Center for Disability Leadership in black text with “on intellectual and developmental disabilities” in white text with blue border.

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.

Logo with ACT and The Center for Disability Leadership with a colorful ring with Advocating Change Together inscribed.

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.

Colorful circular logo with the text "ACT Advocating Change Together."

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

Person smiling, leaning on a CRT television, wearing a "Twins" jacket and a cap.
Person holding a sign on building steps that says, "PEOPLE LIVE IN HOUSES! NO INSTITUTIONS".
A group of people gathered around a table with a bus-shaped cake and colorful balloons outdoors.
A group of six people in front of the "Partners" statue at Disneyland, with the Sleeping Beauty Castle in the background.
Booth with "D.A.H.R.T." banner promoting disability rights, featuring three people and various informational materials.
Person standing in front of a memorial display on a fence, with flowers and a sign reading "Don't Mourn! Organize!- Joe Hill".
A group of six people stands in front of a large banner at an indoor event.
A group of people seated with blue posters in an ornate hall, surrounded by a standing crowd.
Three people seated at a table, engaged in a discussion with a microphone in front of them.