Disability Activism & Advocacy

Posted on: Sat, Aug 16 2008 1:35 AM

Posted by: shellGVchick Posts: 1,261

Welcome Laura.  I agree about being our own advocates.  I run a Deaf support group/meeting.  It's for the deaf and hard of hearing but also to raise awareness in my town and help intergrate those with every day situations into the general public.  I think the most important thing for me starting out was finding just how many people were interested on having something like this.  Be clear and upfront about your cause and what you want to gain from it.  I live in a small town so I really advertised.  I put a posters and flyers. I put an add in the local paper. I encouraged the ones  whome I know are deaf  to spread the word to their friends and colleagues.  I've also tried to get support services too.  There are those going deaf who can't communicate and need to learn how to sign and I wanted to find a way where the deaf could have access Sign language interpreter is need be.  The very first meeting more then 200 people attended.  I was shocked.  It's become my baby.  I think when you see how many people there are who have what you do it's like an instant bond and connection.  You can help people who are new and scared, and you can learn through other people's experiences.  I agree if you can don't do it online, I think people need that intimacy and be able to see each other face to face and see them in action.  Contact your local town hall or Disability Services and see if they can offer any help.  I don't know if ever group out there needs approval to have it or not.  That is something I checked into.  I had to prove and be clear on the motives of the group and take full responsibility for anything that takes place.  Best of Luck to you, let us know what comes about.

Posted on: Sat, Aug 16 2008 1:56 AM

Posted by: DSB Posts: 767

 Shelly and I tihnk our points are the same here. Great national causes are to be supported always but it also gets down to the community you live in how do you reah out to those people in aneffect manner whom may feel leftout and is testing thewaters so to speak. It is even here all about community and joing those that understand and support the efforts so man y here are making.

Posted on: Sat, Aug 16 2008 3:43 AM

Posted by: dejana Posts: 30

Hi Laura,I need help about advocates group too.For first time I heared about it. And I would like start with advocates in my country,Bosnia. I am going to listening Kara`s advice to you and I will visit some web sites which she is recommended to you.

Access is minor thing and need to be solve in the future. Its a big problem in my country and I hope I could help.

Dejana

Posted on: Sat, Aug 16 2008 12:43 PM

Posted by: Kara Posts: 2,333

 Hi Dejana,

Welcome..I'm glad some of the sites I listed can hopefully help you. I'm sure it will be more difficult to get connected to US-based organizations in Bosnia but the groups could serve as excellent examples for what you may want to look for even START over there! I can imagine access is quite different there-would you mind sharing what your barriers are like? Are there any laws to provide you access there?

I'm always interested in the experience of being disabled in another country. I'm glad you've joined us!

Posted on: Tue, Aug 19 2008 5:02 AM

Posted by: dejana Posts: 30

Hi Kara,

thank you...............I visited sites which you give to Laura and I saw it was difficult to do that in Bosnia for many reasons.Or barriers as money is. In my country there are enough NGO (non-goverment-organization).Some of it are places for disabled. But there is no NGO for disabled in my town. My dream is make cool place for  disabled and I want to give them all help. In my country there are some laws but no one respect it.

Dejana

Posted on: Wed, Sep 3 2008 6:03 AM

Posted by: Hyacinths4 Posts: 1

Hi Laura, Kara, Dejana - and everyone else!  I'm new to Disaboom and spotted this thread, so of course I had to check it out, lol!

Laura, there's some good advice here and Kara gave you some good websites to start with.  There's a lot of advocacy/activism online, but not really a lot focused on disability issues.  One site that I just put in the monthly newsletter that I create for the organization I work for is  http://tiny.cc/mXyAR.  It's a link to the American Diabetes Association, but they have an advocacy link that allows you to contact your Senator regarding the American With Disabilities Act.  Of course, the form letter that they provide is focused on diabetics but I've recommended that everyone add their own wording and include people with disabilities in general instead of any specific group.

I have some materials that I put together about advocacy, self-advocacy, giving public testimony, etc.  I actually gave a workshop for a local organization using some of the materials - and it was a huge success.  If you'd like me to share the materials with you, just let me know.

Most of the advocacy that I do is on a one-on-one basis.  I work with adults with disabilities and extreme income challenges, and my advocacy takes whatever shape each individual needs.  Typically, I help with housing issues, food, nutrition, access to medical care and prescriptions, navigating the various social services systems, and with applications for SSI/SSDI.  But I also address quality of life issues as well.

I may make phone calls, fill out housing applications, help with forms, jump on the internet to do research; help find a doctor, prescription help, clothing, medical equipment, furniture, a class - or even hobby supplies.  I may attend appointments with someone or mediate in a dispute, provide personal care and cleaning supplies, advocate with other organizations, or help with job search.  Each day and each person I work with brings new challenges and triumphs.  You can check out the organization I work for (People Helping People) at www.phpnw.org - and let me know what you think! 

I also create a monthly newsletter, and would be happy to send you copies as pdf files if you're interested.

Social networking is an excellent way to get the word out about what you are hoping to do.  Sites like Disaboom are wonderful ways to connect with others and expand your knowledge base.  Keep asking questions!!

Cynthia

Posted on: Wed, Sep 24 2008 11:45 AM

Posted by: CFLLaw Posts: 2

 Laura:

 I am an attorney in Orlando (confined to a wheelchair with a form of MD) and I've done alot of solo advocacy for the disabled in Florida (see https://www.floridabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/jnnews01.nsf/8c9f13012b96736985256aa900624829/276f3cd526275d838525745600532515?OpenDocument). 

The best route I've found for advocacy is focusing on a particular issue and pressing it. Broad-based advocacy seems to flounder because of the volume of organizations out there professing to do general advocacy work for the disabled.