Sunflower Diversified Services assists individuals with developmental disabilities and delays with everyday life. For each client that might mean something different, depending on the needs of the individual.
Regardless of the services needed, each client has the right to vote just like any other registered United States citizen.
Amanda Urban, Director of Adult Services at Sunflower, says staff works hard to inform clients of their rights and how to go about voting.
"We are not going to vote for someone because we like the color or design of their tie," said Urban. "We are going to vote for someone because we have been educated and have similar beliefs." Urban says the client has to show interest in voting and get registered. Afterwards, Sunflower holds a voting informational setting to go over the responsibilities of voting. "We never want people to think we are telling clients what to do because that is not the case," said Urban. "Whoever closely matches your beliefs...the decision is made after that." Sunflower serves infants, toddlers and adults with intellectual disabilities and delays in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties. It is in its 54th year.
"It is definitely a right, but we will go back to those responsibilities of what it really means to vote," added Urban. "That means you get educated and know your information."
