People with disabilities make up the largest minority in the country, but they still lack important rights, officials said Thursday.

"Nothing has changed for them," said Shannon Buller, executive director of the Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities. "What people don't think about is would I like someone to tell me when to go to bed or who to live with. Why would you want someone to have less than you?"

The 2008 MEGA Conference, hosted by the governor's council, focused on giving voices to people with disabilities and helping them gain independence. The conference, in its 19th year, began Wednesday and finishes today at the Parkway Plaza Hotel in Casper.

The theme of this year's conference was "Hitch your wagon to a star", said Sam Janney, public information officer for the council.

Besides the fun Wild West connotations of the theme, Janney said it represents how Wyoming is helping to pioneer the movement for more rights for those with disabilities.

About 325 people attended this year's conference including Kendall Corbett, coordinator of consumer activities at Wyoming INstitute for Disabilities. He has attended almost every MEGA conference since 1992.

"It helps folks find resources, connect to each other and build a community," said Corbett, who also speaks as a person with a disability. "I might see people once a year at the conference, but I can e-mail them with a problem."

The conference tries to highlight new programs and services such as the Wyoming Geriatric Education Center, Corbett said.

Janney said they try to invite a wide range of speakers - some experts and others who deal with disabilities daily.

One keynote speaker, Marilyn Martinez, spoke about civil rights for people with disabilities as a person with a disability.

Many families attend the event, Buller said, because it is helpful for them to see other families struggling with similar problems.

She said when MEGA first started it was mainly for experts, but it has evolved over the 19 years. Some families were missing from the MEGA conference this year, because a Special Olympics event was held in Casper the same days.

Dale DiLeo, a well-known advocate for people with disabilities from Florida, spoke about employment options for people with disabilities.

He said service providers need to develop relationships with local businesses to offer these jobs. He said the opportunities won't come from the want ads.

Service providers shouldn't want to find a "pity or charity" jobs for their clients, he said. They need to find jobs that solve a problem for the business and make the person with a disability feel valued.

"We want them to live at home," Janney said, "and just have the supports they need to succeed."

Contact health reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@trib.com.