LIFE (Learning, Inclusion, Fun & Empowerment) Mower County
LIFE is better together.

​Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday : 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday : CLOSED
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Advocacy, Information and Referral

Age Range:  All Ages
For more information on this program please contact the LIFE office.
We would like to acknowledge The United Way of Mower County for their generous support of this program.

Find Support and Resources

For Families of Infants/Toddlers

For many families, learning your child has special needs can be surprising, scary, and confusing.  We understand these feelings and can help by linking you with community resources and support, connecting you with other families who “get it”, and listening with compassion as most of our staff are parents, siblings, or extended family members of people with disabilities.
For Families of School Aged Children

Like any child, kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) spend their days going to school, developing friendships, and participating in fun activities.  Parents focus on ensuring their child gets high quality education and develops their independence and social skills.  Often, parents also enjoy the opportunity to connect with other families that share similar experiences.
​For Teens/Young Adults and Their Families

Now is the time for families to prepare for the transition from school into adulthood. What will your loved one do after high school? Where do they want to work?  Where will they live? What kind of care will they need and who will provide it? What friends and recreation activities will they do? This can be a very overwhelming time. We can help you through it by providing information, helping you navigate the various resources, and connecting you with families who have been there.
For Adults and Their Families
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Adults with I/DD want what everyone wants: independence, meaningful work, a comfortable home, fun activities, and good friends. LIFE Mower County helps individuals get the support and services they need to live the life they want. We also help families navigate the adult service system, including future planning, to ensure their loved one has the support they need when the parents are no longer available.
Looking for resources or support?
​

LIFE Mower County is the hub of information regarding local resources and support in Mower county. We help families identify, connect with, navigate, and utilize community resources. We provide one-on-one consultation by phone, email, or in-person meetings, as well as offer workshops on various topics throughout the year.

LIFE Mower County provides free advocacy services throughout the lifetime of an individual living with an intellectual and/or developmental disability.  We support both the individual with the disability and/or their family/guardians.  When you or a family member has an intellectual/developmental disability, finding the right supports and navigating the various service systems can be overwhelming!  We understand.  Rest assured, LIFE Mower County is here to help!  We provide supports throughout the lifespan for people of all ages and all ability levels. 

When you contact our office, our first priority will be learning more about your needs.  Then, we can discuss what services/supports might be the best options for you and your family.  If for any reason, LIFE cannot meet your needs, we will point you in the right direction and refer you to another agency that can.

Public Policy

Here you'll find the information you’ll need to advocate on all issues that are critical to the intellectual and developmental disability community:
  • Autistic Self Advocacy Network
  • Disability Hub MN
  • Disability Minnesota
  • Best Life Alliance
  • Minnesota Help
  • The Arc US Action Center
  • The Arc Minnesota Action Alert Network
  • Minnesota Council on Disability Public Policy
  • The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
  • ​Who Represents Me
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People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families contact LFE for information and personal support.  Advocates at LIFE have the experience and knowledge to help you. 
  • Community Engagement
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Government Benefits
  • Guardianship
  • Health Care Assistance
  • Housing
  • Planning Your Future
  • Master Pooled Trust
  • Self-Advocacy

Planning Your Future

  • Charting the LifeCourse
  • It's My Choice - PDF​

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Voting - 2022 Election


​Your Vote Has Power!  Voting is very important.  It is a way for you to help choose the people that will run our government.  Our government makes laws, decides how money gets spent, and much more.  Who gets picked to run the government makes a big difference for people with disabilities and their families.  If you do not vote, then you do not get a say in what happens.  Check out the resources below to make sure you have the information you need to make your vote count!

Resources From The Arc

Here are resources to help you learn more about voting.

Disability Voter Guide
This includes information on:
  • Who can vote
  • Where people can vote
  • How to register to vote
  • How to find out who and what you can vote on
  • How to learn about candidates and issues
  • How voting works on Election Day
  • What to do if your voting rights are violated
  • How you can help others vote
  • Other helpful resources around voting
Plain language, English – Word / Plain language, English – PDF

Guía para votantes con discapacidades
Lenguaje simple, Español – Word / Lenguaje simple, Español – PDF

The 2020 Election & You: Thinking about Disability
Plain language, English – Word / Plain language, English – PDF

La Elección de 2020 y Usted: Pensando en la Discapacidad
Lenguaje simple, Español – Word / Lenguaje simple, Español – PDF

Sample Questions for Candidates
Plain language, English – Word / Plain language, English – PDF

Ejemplos de Preguntas para los Candidatos
Lenguaje simple, Español – Word / Lenguaje simple, Español – PDF

Other Resources
  • Vote.gov from the U.S. Government
  • Your Vote Counts: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Voting in the U.S., Autistic Self Advocacy Network
  • GoVoter Project, Self Advocates Becoming Empowered
  • REV UP: Register, Educate, Vote, Use your Power, American Association for People with Disabilities

Tips for Voters:  Getting help voting and independent voting
  1. If you are under a guardianship you still have the right to vote unless your guardianship court order says that the court has taken away your right to vote.
  2. If you can’t get into your polling place, you can register and vote from your vehicle. Ask the head election judge to find two election judges to come outside to help you.
  3. If you cannot sign your name, you have the right to tell the election judge who you are and tell another person to sign your name for you on the roster.
  4. You have the right to ask for help voting. For example, you can ask an election judge, a friend, family, guardian, or a staff person who works with you, for help.
  5. Any person you choose can go with you into the voting booth except an agent of your employer or union, or a candidate.
  6. You can ask someone to mark your ballot for you. It is against the law for them to mark the ballot for you if you cannot communicate to them who you want to vote for.
  7. You have the right to take a sample ballot into the voting booth with you.
  8. It is against the law for anyone in the polling place to try to influence your vote. It is your vote, and your choice!

Minnesota
Secretary of State

Register To Vote

Election Day Voting

Other Ways To Vote

What's On My Ballot


ELECTIONS CALENDAR
​2022 Election Dates
  • March 8
    Township Elections
  • June 24
    Vote by mail or in person
    June 24 through August 8
    for the Primary
  • July 19
    Register in advance by
    July 19 to save time on
    Primary Election Day
  • August 9
    Primary Election
  • September 23
    Vote by mail or in person
    September 23 through
    November 7
  • October 18
    Register in advance by
    October 18 to save time
    on Election Day
  • November 8
    Election Day

What's on the Election Day ballot in 2022?

All voters will have these races on their general election ballot:
  • U.S. Representative
  • Governor & Lt. Governor
  • Secretary of State
  • State Auditor
  • Attorney General
  • State Senator
  • State Representative
  • Judicial seats
Voters may have one or more of these races on their ballot:
  • City Officers
  • School Board Members
  • Township Officers
  • Local ballot questions
© 2023 All Rights Reserved  |  ​​Privacy Policy
LIFE Mower County, ​401 2nd Avenue NE, Austin, MN 55912  |  ​507-433-8994  |  info@lifemowercounty.org

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