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Advocacy

ABIL offers a variety of opportunities for consumers to have input into the laws, policies and procedures that affect their lives.  Through the use of self, individual, community/systems change and political advocacy, ABIL's consumers participate in shaping the future of our community.   See ABIL's Newsletter for upcoming Advocacy Workshops and Events.

ADA Services

ABIL offers services to facilitate implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) throughout the state including ADA training, technical assistance and materials to businesses and persons with disabilities on the requirements and options of the ADA. 

Advocacy Programs

Advocacy is sticking up for yourself or someone else. It can be done individually or with others to solve problems, remove barriers, increase quality of life, create programs, and influence the decisions of your public policy makers. Advocacy is good for your well being!

Why become an advocate?
Because if you don’t do it, who will? It is better to take action than just be angry, hurt or disappointed things aren’t going the way you want or you can’t get what you need. As it turns out, the personal is often political! What is a problem for you is often a problem for many others, meaning it is always more effective to accomplish something together!  Below are links to articles that can fuel the fire of the advocate within you and help you understand the truth about who we are as people with disabilities. This information can also aid you in learning about attitudinal barriers which may be blocking your power to advocate for yourself and others.

Improbable Theatre Company

Improbable Theatre Company’s mission is to create and present artistic works that entertain, inform and challenge audiences while breaking down barriers by heightening our community visibility beyond disability.

The Power of Language and Labels

Words are powerful. Old and inaccurate descriptors, and the inappropriate use of these descriptors, perpetuate negative stereotypes and reinforce an incredibly powerful attitudinal barrier. This invisible and potent, attitudinal barrier is the greatest obstacle facing individuals who have disability diagnoses.

Other Local Community Advocacy Links

Register to vote, find your voting district and representatives and more –
  • Arizona Disability Advocacy Coalition/AzDAC -  AzDAC is a coalition of disability organizations from around the state of Arizona.
  • Arizona State Legislature Website - The official web site of the Arizona State Legislature.
  • Just Vote Arizona Disability Coalition - The Just Vote Arizona Disability Coalition (JVADC) is a Coalition of local and statewide disability related organizations. The mission of the JVADC is to assist and empower people with disabilities to register to vote and to participate in the electoral process.
  • Protecting Arizona’s Family Coalition - The Protecting Arizona's Family Coalition (PAFCO) is a historic, diverse, non-partisan alliance of social services, health, community service agencies, advocacy groups, citizen advocacy, and faith-based associations.

 Related National Resources

  • National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) - NCIL advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities through consumer-driven advocacy. NCIL envisions a world in which people with disabilities are valued equally and participate fully.
  • Thomes.gov - to find Federal Congressional Bills - "In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, legislative information from the Library of Congress."
  • U.S. Congress / House of Representatives - The official web site of the U.S. congress and House of Representatives.
  • U.S. Senate - The official web site of the U.S. Senate.

Get Empowered!

Want to know what advocacy issues are hot? Join ABIL's advocacy alert email listserv, Empower!.  To sign up, simply email Amina or David below requesting to be added to the list!  

 Amina Donna Kruck
Director of Advocacy
Phone 602-443-0722		             David Carey
Advocacy Specialist
Phone 602-443-0723