Allies in Self-Advocacy Presents:

Wisconsin’s Self-Advocacy and Public Policy

Efforts

Thursday February 20, 2014

1:00pm -2:00pm CT (2:00 – 3:00 pm ET)

Wisconsin’s DD Network

Attending the Self-Advocacy Summit

Purpose of the Summits: to assess what is currently happening in the states in

self-advocacy; to plan steps to strengthen and enhance current efforts

at the state level; to develop recommendations for actions at the national

level; and to develop policy recommendations that can lead to a

stronger, more effective, and long lasting self-advocacy movement across the country.

Lessons learned from the Self-Advocate Summit

The importance of working together. Many times there are disability based issues that need to be addressed, but when everyone works together much can get accomplished.

Creating Opportunities

Thus, throughout the years I have interned for a couple of disability based organizations and have met with legislators talking about many issues that the disability community faces today.

Working together

Much of listening and sharing ideas has to do with working together. The more people you have on your side, the easier it is to move mountains

What is Wisconsin’s Disability Policy Partnership

The Disability Policy Partnership is comprised of Wisconsin’s three network partners that are designated by the federal Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to work individually and in collaboration to support the purpose of the Developmental Disabilities Act. Each agency is charged with a shared mission to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities and their families through public policy.

What are the Partnerships’ Goals?

The goals of the Disability Policy Partnership include educating policymakers at the state and federal level as well as coordinating and informing the work of other advocates, coalitions and organizations that support persons with disabilities in Wisconsin.

We Work with Self-Advocates to Conduct Surveys

We Work with Self-Advocates to Understand the Legislative Process

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsDR3lXzAdA

We Work with Self-Advocates to Tell Their Stories

We Support Self-Advocates to Work with Media

New Leadership

Strengthening Self-Advocacy in Wisconsin

Taking Back Our Organization

Reorganizing Hiring a person with an intellectual disability as

director Involving board members in the decision making, Setting new (higher) expectations. We’re not there yet but we’re on the road

New Leadership

Meet Executive Director, Cindy Bentley

Cindy is a strong advocate

A good public speaker

A good role model

Needs help with financial bookkeeping Needs help with computer and technical support Typing

People First Matters

Working together has made a difference in Wisconsin policy.

Working together

Teamwork is Key

Partnership between DD Councils and Statewide Self-Advocacy Organizations:

Wisconsin’s Story

It Can Be Done!

What do DD council do? The BPDD advocates for new policies and

programs, and provides resources so individuals can advocate for themselves. The BPDD creates and pilots new models of service delivery and community supports.

Supporting Self-Advocacy Efforts

Establish or strengthen a program a State self-

advocacy organization led by individuals with developmental disabilities;

support opportunities and provide leadership training to individuals with developmental disabilities who may become leaders; and

support and expand participation of individuals with developmental disabilities in cross-disability and culturally diverse leadership coalitions.

Partnering in a meaningful way

The Importance of Self-Advocates on DD Councils (Consumer Caucus)

Self-Advocates working at the DD Council Youth Consortium meetings facilitate by People

with disabilities

Collaboration Disability Advocacy Day and other campaigns Speaking to Legislators Speaking at public hearings

Waisman Center

Jeffrey Johnson works for the Waisman Center Jeffrey’s job is to be a reporter for Choices newsletter, which is

the newsletter for people with disabilities in Dane County Jeffrey frequently reports on public policy, either through

attending events himself, or press releases Issues that Jeffrey has covered recently:

Rallies in 2011 Hearings on removing the R word from State Statutes Dane County Budget Hearing Funding for Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

Jeffrey reports on these issues in a way that is easy for individuals with disabilities to understand

Choices Newsletter

Choices newsletter is available online: cow.waisman.wisc.edu

ALIZA CLAIRE BIBLE –SELF ADVOCATE AND LIFE LONG LEARNER

Waisman Center UCEDD

Waisman Early Childhood Program

AmeriCorps

Cutting Edge Program

BPDD

Madison Area Technical College

WI LEND Program

Connections Are Key!

Claire, her family and opportunities come together!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4Qysz25E2A

In 2011 the WI LEND Program added “Self Advocate” to their list of recruited disciplines. More

specifically, a person with a developmental disability would join parent advocates and graduate students in the year long training program.

Claire was recruited/applied for WI LEND after a presentation on her Cutting Edge experience at Edgewood College.

In WI LEND Claire became a “long term trainee” in the program, and fully participated in all aspects of the training, with supports as needed.

Claire was interested in more…she wanted to give back and work in the community. She applied to and volunteered for a local AmeriCorps program even though they did not have any openings for new members. When a member dropped out, she was poised to join!

The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities offered her a community placement position (which is a required piece for WI LEND trainees) and Claire enhanced this with her AmeriCorps hours.

In 2012 Claire graduated from the WI LEND program and completed a year of service with AmeriCorps.

Now and into the future!

WI LEND Program—Claire presents on panels to

new trainees

Cutting Edge Program—Continues to be a

great support

Waisman Center UCEDD —

Claire and family direct supports and goals

AmeriCorps— Money from the Education

Award helps pay for MATC Classes

BPDD — Claire now serves on

their Board

Waisman Early Childhood

Program — Claire works as a teachers

aide in the classroom

Madison Area Technical College (MATC)—Claire was

accepted into an Early Childhood Ed Program and graduates in a

couple of years

Claire — THE FUTURE!!!