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Introduction
Introduction
There is no one way to be an advocate! However, starting with a single issue or area is a good initial move. This module is all about defining the scope of your work and spending some time becoming more familiar with the level of government, departments, and processes of change that can impact people in ways that are important to them, and you!
Much of the work on disability advocacy stems from a series of Federal laws, with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) one of the most significant in terms of its reach and impact. Part of this module is an introduction to the ADA.
You don't have to do this alone! DCAL Coordinators can help you make those connections, point you in the right direction, and move with you through the process. Don't hesitate to reach out! If you are participating in the Workshop series, these all are covered in Workshop #1.
Remember that everything you write on the worksheets gets emailed back to you and all your work is your own. We will always ask your permission before we share anything, including whether you want it anonymous!
Defining Your Advocacy Work
Defining Your Advocacy Work
What kinds of change do you want to see in your community? What are you passionate about? What kinds of inequities make you angry? We want to know and it will help you find a place to start your advocacy work. Take some time to fill out the Advocacy Worksheet below. It will be sent to the DCAL Coordinators and we will talk at either the first session or contact you individually.
Scope of Work: Levels of Government
Scope of Work: Levels of Government
After you have looked over and discussed your Advocacy Worksheet with a Coordinator and/or your cohort, you should have a sense of the level of government or governmental body who might have the most influence on the policy or practices. This can often be a local government, a school board or county board, or various commissions at a local or county level. State government, state commissions, and other state agencies are the bigger, broader, arenas for advocacy and change. Below are some short introductions to how various levels of government operate. Click on the headings to learn more.
City Government
City Government
City and township governments typically have a mayor and a city council. Some may also have a city manager or city administrator, who is a part of the city council and takes on some of the responsibilities that mayors of larger cities often have. City managers are common in medium-sized cities such as Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. In contrast, Detroit does not have a city manager, and the mayoral office is considered "strong" because the mayor has much more consolidated power and can veto the decisions that city council makes.
State Government
State Government
State legislatures have a lot in common with our national legislature, or congress. Here in Michigan we have two houses, being the House of Representatives and the Senate. Our governor also has veto powers, and can actually strike certain portions of the bill that they don't like before signing it. This is called line-item veto. There is more information on this in our Legislative Basics video.
How To Be A Successful Local Advocate
How To Be A Successful Local Advocate
The different levels of government tackle different issues. Sometimes it's clear which level of government should be contacted for a problem - for example, the United States Congress won't be able to do much about your request to make your neighborhood playground accessible. However, if you're not quite sure where to begin your advocacy, it's a good idea to start locally. You'll find that it's much easier to make appointments with key public officials, including the mayor, and they can point you in another direction if you need to climb higher up the ladder and talk to officials from the state, county, etc. instead.
The ABC's of the ADA
The ABC's of the ADA
In Michigan we have a strong connection to the ADA, since our former Representative, John Dingell, was the primary sponsor of the legislation. The ADA covers many aspects of life, work, safety, and accessibility across the country, and guides state and local policies and programs. Being familiar with the ADA is important to being a successful advocate for people with disabilities at any level. The video below is a great introduction to the ADA.
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