Making Your Case
By Herb Drill
“Policymakers and elected officials not only want your input, they require it to fulfill their job duties.” That’s what Sarah Lopez claimed in her presentation, “Making Your Case,” at the seventh annual World Congress on Disabilities and Exposition at the
Lopez, from the
For the past four years, Lopez has been the executive director of the World Congress on Disabilities Foundation for Education. She serves on the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, and is a director of the Family Network on Disabilities of Florida and the
Lopez is certified with the
WCD Expo is one of the largest events for people with disabilities and all who are affected, such as family members, friends, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and educators. More than 200 exhibitors displayed products and services designed to ease and enrich the lives of individuals facing a range of challenges. said William Schwaninger, president/CEO of WCD Expo Inc. He said more than 80 authorities made presentations designed specifically for people with developmental and physical disabilities, their families, and professionals who serve them. “Some of the world’s leading physicians and healthcare experts provided state-of-the-art solutions and therapies, while individuals who have conquered countless obstacles inspire others to defy difficulty and thrive,” said Schwaninger.
The eighth annual Congress/Expo will be held earlier -
Lopez explained that Making Your Case is a legislative advocacy presentation designed to teach consumers, family members, caregivers, and any interested party how to communicate effectively with legislators and policymakers. She maintains that “elected and appointed officials not only appreciate constituent input, their job requires it. Working with policymakers and their staff collaboratively is much simpler than most people think. Honesty is the key. Having your facts in order and always presenting truthful information to legislators is the best way to ensure that you become a valuable resource whenever disability or other issues are on the table. Whether communicating the individual needs of your family, or bringing your opinion on pending legislation to the table, most individuals can make their case effectively by being honest, courteous, and professional.
Making Your Case is a self-study course designed to help people with developmental disabilities and their families “create positive change through advocacy.” Since 1987, Partners in Policymaking® believes graduates “have used newly-acquired advocacy skills to affect policy changes at all levels of government in the
systems; making parks and other recreational facilities and programs accessible to all citizens, and expanding home ownership for people with developmental disabilities.
The course was created to provide critical skills to make a difference through advocacy and allow the course taker to: tell their story in writing and in person; identify the policymakers who can help bring about the needed changes; write effective letters and e-mails; conduct productive meetings with policymakers; give effective testimony and answer questions, and organize with others to tackle community issues.
In the end, Partners in Policymaking has “four critical outcomes that guide our work.” They are:
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· Productivity - expanded positive employment and job advancement
· Self-determination - freedom to choose how, where, and with whom to live and work, to choose recreational activities, and to choose care providers.
· Integration and inclusion - full, equal participation with all citizens in the community, at school, and in the workplace.
Sarah Lopez is joined by (standing) William Schwaninger, World Congress president/CEO; (seated left) internastional motivational speaker Scott Chesney, and www.NotAccessible.com’s Herb Drill