What is Advocacy?
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the word;
indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does.”
– Margaret Mead
Self-Advocacy (action on your own behalf)
Individual Advocacy (acting on your own, for any cause)
Systems Change or Community Advocacy
(acting to change the way things are done within agencies,
organizations or government).
One form of Community Advocacy is Political Action.
→ Ask for what you want
(If you ask you might not get it; if you don’t ask, you certainly will not.)
Talk to someone who has the power to make a change.
Eg: ask to talk to the supervisor or person in charge
→ Take action
Make a phone call – Send an email, or send a letter – always sign it!
→ Use the media
Write a letter to the editor or a newsletter article on an issue to inform & mobilize
Talk to the media (news reporter, radio announcer, etc.)
→ Talk to a policy-maker
City Councilwoman, Mayor, State Legislator, U.S. Congressman, testify at public hearings & meetings
→ Join a policy-making body, like~ governmental council or commission, an organization’s Board of Directors
→ Use your civil rights – Learn your rights and responsibilities
File an appeal or grievance when you don’t agree with a service provider’s decision
File an ADA complaint with the AZ Attorney General or U.S. Department of Justice
→ Get involved with your political party at the local level – Volunteer on a political campaign – Start or sign a petition
→ Join or organize a rally, press conference or demonstration
→ Register to vote… and vote!
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