Priorities for this year’s Key Campaign

Gathering in front of the Alaska State Capitol during an annual Key Campaign. (Photo courtesy of Fu Bao Hartle)

By Fu Bao Hartle

The Key Campaign is coming to town! I am excited about this because it brings together a community of Alaska advocates to Juneau.

The Key Campaign (Key) is an annual event that happens in Juneau and brings people together from all over Alaska to advocate for people with disabilities. We march to the Capitol steps for a rally with speeches, songs and chants such as “Keyed up, ready to go!” An important part is when we lobby our legislators about issues that impact us.

Key Coalition of Alaska organizes this event and is a non-profit, statewide advocacy group made up of people with disabilities and their families, friends, and other supporters. Since its beginning in 1988, the goal of the Key Coalition has been to advocate for community-based services for people with disabilities and their families.

Their mission, through unified statewide advocacy, is to promote the dignity, status, and equality of all Alaskans who experience disabilities as valued, contributing participants in a shared community.

I have been attending Key since I was in preschool with my parents, teachers, or staff that assist me. The Key events are important to me because we need our voices to be heard. I also like to see people I know and meet new ones from around the state, and advocate together and make some noise. 

This year’s priorities are:

• Build a system that doesn’t need a waitlist.

• Serve more kids ages birth to three in the Infant Learning Program.

• Require universal changing spaces in public buildings.

• Modernize Alaska’s guardianship statute.

• Improve access to transportation.

There will be a march and rally on March 18. Meet for the march to the Capitol at 11:45 a.m. at Sealaska Plaza and at noon for the rally at the Capitol steps.

To join in the efforts of Key Coalition of Alaska or to learn more about Key Coalition, its local chapters or upcoming events, please contact wcloyd@fra-alaska.net or (907) 456-8901.

• Fu Bao Hartle is a Juneau Special Olympics athlete and advocate, and a commercial photographer.