People First originally began in Sweden. In the late 1960’s, when Dr. Bengt Nirje developed a group for parents with children with disabilities. This was a group that would get together and discuss plans and events so they could provide a “normal” life for their children.

In 1968, there was a convention held where individuals with disabilities came together to discuss what their hopes and dreams were.In 1969, there was a first training to teach adults with disabilities how to advocate for themselves.

Following these events and presentation 11th World Congress of the International Society for Rehabilitation of the Disabled other countries began developing their own advocacy groups.

• Some of these groups remained as People First and others broke off as other self advocacy groups. 1974, people from Salem, Oregon started the first self-advocacy group in the United States. It was called People First. (lead by a social worker)

• There are 43 Countries with People First Chapters and it has grown to over 17,000 members.

• Currently, there are over 800 Chapters in the US.

• According to the MO People First website there are roughly 12 MO Chapters and growing!