A non-partisan group that advocates for Iowans with disabilities is holding a series of workshops next month designed to encourage civic action. Rik Shannon, spokesman for Iowans with Disabilities in Action, or I-D Action, explains the goals of the classes, dubbed “Active Citizenship 101.” The nine workshops promote active citizenship, the importance of getting involved and ways to do so. Shannon says the workshops will include voter training and a segment on our rights and responsibilities. He says there are about 400,000 Iowans over the age of 18 who have disabilities. He says voter turnout of Iowans with disabilities in the last presidential election was just under 50-percent while turnout for able-bodied people was around 51-percent. Shannon says “Voting is a gateway to greater self-advocacy” and he wants to see more people with disabilities become politically active. These workshops, he says, are a good avenue. The one-day workshops will run from 9:30 AM until 3 in the afternoon. The first one is scheduled for September 1st in Fort Dodge, Sept. 2 in Okoboji, Sept. 7 in Decorah, Sept. 8 in Waterloo, Sept. 13 in Denison, Sept. 14 in Red Oak, Sept 15 in Iowa City, Sept. 16 in Burlington and a final session in Des Moines at a date to be announced. For more information, call 866-432-2846 or surf to “www.idaction.org”.
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