Home › Advocacy ›

Advocacy Is

Clip art graphic of persons with disabilities  

 Speaking up for yourself or someone else

 Let disability stereotypes work for you!

  People with disabilities, if you see

1 person - that person needs help
2 people - it's a race
3 people - it's a party
4 people - it's a protest
5 people - it's a national movement
15 people - it's a revolution!    
 
Source: IL NET: NCIL/ILRU National Training & Technical Assistance Project - "Building A Strong Foundation in a Rapidly Changing Environment"

 Asking for what you want

  • Talking to someone who has the power to make a change
  • Sending a letter
  • Asking to talk to the supervisor or person in charge
 
Taking an action
  • Make a call
  • Send an email
  • Send a letter - always sign it!

Media

  • Write a letter to the editor
  • Write a newsletter article on an issue to inform & mobilize
  • Talk to the media (news reporter, radio announcer, etc.)
Talking to a policy-maker
  • City Council-person, Mayor, State Legislator, U.S. Congressman
  • Testifying at public hearings & meetings

Join a policy-making body:

  • A Governmental Council or Commission
  • An Organizational Board of Directors
 Using your Civil Rights
  • Filing an appeal or grievance when you don’t agree with a service provider’s decision
  • Filing an ADA complaint with the AZ Attorney General or U.S. Department of Justice
  • Learn your rights and responsibilities

Get involved with your favored political party at the local level

  • Volunteering on a political campaign gets you their ear if they win!
  • Starting or signing a petition
Joining or organizing a rally, press conference or demonstration
 
Register to vote… and vote!
 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the word; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does.”

- Margaret Mead

There are 3 kinds of advocacy

Advocacy is one of the core services that Centers for Independent Living provide.  ABIL and all other Centers for Independent Living promote and provide all three kinds of advocacy.

 
Advocacy Tips
 
  • Don’t do it alone - If it is a concern to you – it is most likely a concern for others too
  •  We all started out as self-advocates – all babies are natural self-advocates
  •  You’re worth it! You are valuable.
  •  Showing up is ½ the battle
  •  Everyone is unique, everyone has different skills – there is something for everybody to do
  •  There are “shy” self-advocates