A REMINDER
A REMINDER
CALL YOUR
REPRESENTATIVES
IN MIKELLE’S EPISODE WE WERE REMINDED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CALLING YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND SOME OF THE WORK SHE’S DONE AND WHY IT MATTERS. LET’S DIG A LITTLE DEEPER AND LEARN MORE ABOUT HER AND HER PODCAST.
Mikelle pursued a regular education pioneering inclusion in the Denver Public School system graduating as an Outstanding Senior from East High School in Denver, Colorado. Her speaking career led her to an invitation to speak in front of Congress fighting for the rights of people like her to work and make money. Mikelle was then selected to speak at the National Press Club as an Honored Guest Reactor for the Ticket to Work Sunset Panel.
Mikelle has accomplished so much in her life as an advocate, homeowner, author, speaker and small businesswoman. With her electric smile, hearty laughter and the feel of freedom being her own boss, she demonstrates how access to technology puts meat on the bones of self-determination and inclusion. Now Mikelle speaks to many people across the country with her mom, Katherine.
LEARN ABOUT MIKELLE
LISTEN TO THE SHINING BEAUTIFUL
SERIES PODCAST
Mikelle is perhaps the only non-verbal podcaster in the world. How does she do it? With technology. Meet Mikelle, who experiences cerebral palsy, her mother, Katherine Carol, and Gretchen Storm, speech therapist, and assistive technology guru. Together they talk about everyday life with a disability, how technology empowers people with disabilities to own their lives. This sassy team of coffee drinking techies interview technology and rehabilitation experts as they sit around the kitchen table at Mikelle’s home.
CONTACTING YOUR
REPRESENTATIVES:
Navigating how to contact your elected officials can be confusing—especially when you're not sure where to start. Many people don’t know who represents them at the local, state, or federal level, or how to find reliable contact information. This can make it difficult to engage with issues that matter.
Fortunately, there are tools designed to make this process more accessible. Websites like 5 Calls or Resist Bot offer a simple way to look up your representatives based on your location. They also explain current issues and provide suggested scripts for contacting your representatives, helping to lower the barrier for civic engagement.
HOW 5 CALLS WORKS?
Enter Your Location: Input your ZIP code or allow the site to detect your location. This ensures you're connected with the correct representatives.
Select an Issue: Browse a list of current issues that require public attention. Each issue includes a brief overview to inform you about its significance.
Get Contact Information and Scripts: For each issue, 5 Calls provides the names and phone numbers of the relevant representatives, along with a pre-written script to guide your conversation.
Make the Call: Use the provided information to call your representative. If the line is busy or no one answers, you can leave a voicemail. Be sure to include your street address so they know you're a constituent.
Track Your Calls: After each call, you can mark whether you spoke to someone, left a voicemail, or couldn't get through. This helps you keep track of your advocacy efforts.
HOW RESIST.BOT WORKS?
Start by Sending a Message: Text the word "resist" to 50409
Identify Yourself: The bot will ask for your name and address. This information is used to determine who your elected officials are, and it ensures your messages are routed correctly. Your data is kept private and secure.
Choose What You Want to Say: You can write your own message or use one of the suggested scripts.
Pick the Recipients: Resist.bot can send your message to your U.S. Senators, Representatives, Governor, State Legislators, and even local officials.
Deliver the Message: Depending on the recipient and available channels, your message is sent as a fax, email, postal letter, or even delivered as a phone call.
Get Updates and Keep Going: It can also help you register to vote, find town halls, look up policies, and stay updated on political issues.