Participants Sought for Leadership and Advocacy Training Academy
Partners in Policymaking is an
innovative leadership and advocacy training opportunity designed to involve and
empower people with developmental disabilities, parents of young children with
disabilities and other family members. It requires a serious commitment of each
individual who participates both during the course of the training as well as
after graduation. The expectation is that each Partner upon graduation will be
committed to actively using the skills he or she has learned and will be devoted
to making real changes in the areas of community awareness, sensitivity,
accessibility, and inclusion.
Click
here to see a short video on this wonderful program.
Objectives of the Program
- Provide
state-of-the-art information on disability issues and services to
participants
- Build
competencies needed among participants so that they may become advocates who
effectively influence public policy and policymaking officials
- Develop
understanding of policymaking and legislative processes at the local, state
and federal levels
- Foster
productive partnerships between policymakers and people needing and using
services
Who Should Apply?
People with developmental
disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities are
the primary target groups of the Partners in Policymaking program. However,
other immediate family members are encouraged to apply as well. In addition to
individuals, couples will be considered to fill one position. Representation
from varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds, different geographic regions of
the state, and various developmental disabilities are sought. Persons who are
not actively involved in existing advocacy efforts are ideal candidates.
Program Specifics
This is the 11th
Partners in Policymaking class for which approximately 35 participants will be
selected. Partners will attend eight, two-day training sessions held over a
period of nine months beginning Fall 2003 (there is no session in December).
Most sessions will be held Saturday and Sunday, with one or two sessions held
Friday and Saturday. Evening activities will be scheduled. At each session,
experts in disability history, advocacy and service development will present
information to the entire class and interact with participants in small groups.
Partners will have the opportunity to work on communication skills,
assertiveness and persuasion, negotiation and decision-making skills,
legislative testimonial presentation skills, and group facilitation.
Participants are expected to complete homework assignments every month as well
as prepare and complete an individual project during the course of the year.
Attendance at all sessions is mandatory. Partners are asked to sign an agreement
consenting to these requirements. Please be sure you are ready to make this
commitment!
Session Topics
- Effective
Advocacy Strategies
- Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Inclusive
Education and Community Services
- Assistive
Technology
- Employment
Opportunities and Barriers for People with Disabilities
- Individual
and Family Support
- Grassroots
Organization
- History
of the Parent and Community Living Movement
- Social
Security, Medicaid and Health Care Issues
- State
and Federal Public Policy and Legislative Process
- Georgia's
MH/DD/AD Reform
Expenses
Scholarships are available to
all participants. Scholarships cover expenses for travel, lodging, meals,
respite, childcare and personal assistance services needed for attendance at
Partners in Policymaking sessions. Such expenses will be reimbursed to
participants according to pre-approved agreement on a case-by-case basis.
Deadline
Applications must be received
by June before the following class starts in the fall. Faxes will also be
accepted: 404/881-9777 or 404-881-0094. Please submit to the attention of:
Director of Public Policy, Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities, 1440
Dutch Valley Place, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30324. Alternative formats of this
application are available. Please contact the staff at AADD for such a request
or for any other information regarding Partners in Policymaking at the contact
information below, or simply visit www.aadd.org
to review the application.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by Council and/or
administration staff to ensure eligibility and completeness of application.
Selections will be made by a committee of seven people made up of Council
Members, Partners graduates and staff. Notification of selection is scheduled
for the end of July.
Federal Definition
of a Development Disability
Atlanta
Alliance on Developmental Disabilities
Dave Blanchard or Rita Moore
dave@aadd.org and rita@aadd.org
1440 Dutch Valley Place, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30324
Phone/FAX: 404/881-9777
TTY Users: 1-800-255-0056 (Georgia Relay Center)
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