Independent Living Research Utilization

Turning Words into ActionPrepared by Bob Michaels

Cash and CounselingSept. 17, 2007

Sponsored by Boston College

Self advocacy is action taken on one’s own behalf to protect or improve the individual’s life circumstances.

Individual advocacy is assistance given to a single person which is intended to improve both the person’s life circumstances and the person’s self advocacy skills.

Systems advocacy is activity which has the effect of altering laws, regulations, or practices that impact

large numbers of people.

Disability Stereotypes

Limited intellect Asexual Drag on society

Angry Unemployable Medically Fragile

Childlike Dependent Burdens Erratic Undependable Uncontrollable Incompetent Diseased Not capable

Biologically inferior Unfortunate cripples

Victims Outcasts Menaces

Subhuman Sick Deficient Deviant

If Society believes in these stereotypes . . .

Limited intellect Asexual Drag on society

Angry Unemployable Medically Fragile

Childlike Dependent Burdens Erratic Undependable Uncontrollable Incompetent Diseased Not capable

Biologically inferior Unfortunate cripples

Victims Outcasts Menaces

Subhuman Sick Deficient Deviant

. . . Who do they elect to represent them?

If our representatives believe in these stereotypes . . .

Limited intellect Asexual Drag on society

Angry Unemployable Medically Fragile

Childlike Dependent Burdens Erratic Undependable Uncontrollable Incompetent Diseased Not capable

Biologically inferior Unfortunate cripples

Victims Outcasts Menaces

Subhuman Sick Deficient Deviant

. . . . What types of laws are they likely to pass?

MotivationAttitudes Economic Social

PoliticsEnvironment

Timeliness Training

LegalEnforcement

Constituency

Do your homework!

Communicating with Public Officials

Set appointments

--and keep them

Prepare your presentation

• Who are spokespersons?

• What are the 2-3 main points?

• How long is each person speaking?

Establish common ground

• Family

• Community

• State

• National

Explain why you are the

expert(s)• Life experience• Knowledge• Background• Employment• Affiliations

Provide supporting materials

• Position paper• Fact sheet• Frequently Asked

Questions (FAQs)• State/District-

specific info

Decision Points

Identify EXACTLY what you want the person to do

Say what you mean . . . .Say . . .• “Will you to sign on

as a sponsor?”

• “Will you vote in favor of . . . ?”

• “Will you discuss this with the Senator?”

Instead of saying . . . • “We want your

support for . . .”

• “Are you in favor of . . . .?”

• “Will you share this information with the Senator?”

Consider friends and adversaries

Offer assistance

• Research results• Contact persons• Letters of support• Telephone numbers

Show appreciation

Follow-up letter

• Review time, date, subject of meeting

• Thank public official• Enclose promised materials,

data, contacts, etc.• Review commitments• Commend staff

Why don’t people advocate for themselves?

Oppression

the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner

the feeling of being heavily burdened by troubles, adverse conditions, anxiety, etc.

“Covergirl”

When you’re fed garbage all your life, you begin to develop a taste for it.

-adapted from Hale Zukas

Tokenism - making only an outward sign or expression

• Never disagree/speak up/question

• Allow people to act as if they understand

• Intimidated by credentials or degrees

• Allow patronizing attitudes

• Don’t try to influence decision-making processes

• Don’t recruit allies/develop strategies

• Accept advisory rather than policy-making status

• Work with groups that manage instead of assist

• More worried about resume than responsibilities

Tokenism