Tools for Advocacy

Self-Advocacy:

Self-Determination - NDSS Position Statement

NDSS National Policy Center

Club NDSS - Advocacy information for self-advocates.

 

National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD)

The Administration on Developmental Disabilities' online resource for communication and collaboration

 

National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)

 

National Association for University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service -- Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)

Alliance for Full Participation

National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities

 

A Consumers Guide to the Lanterman Act

The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act

Helpful Information for People with Disabilities (IRS)

Justice For All

Americans with Disabilities Act (USDOJ)

AAPD Disability Vote Project

President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities

ADAPT  

Kids as Self-Advocates (KASA)   

 

Social Security Reform:

Social Security Reform and People with Disabilities A series of questions about how changes to Social Security may affect people with disabilities.
National Center for Children in Poverty  The NCCP offers fact sheets, policy briefs, and questions for policymakers undertaking Social Security reform.
The Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities has put together fact sheets explaining the impact of privatizing Social Security on people with disabilities.
The Coalition on Human Needs  The CHN maintains a listing of background information.


Health:

National Health Law Program

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law    

Health Care Workers and the ADA
Medicaid's Role for People with Disabilities  A detailed report by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured.
NDSC Articles Three articles available from the National Down Syndrome Congress

Education:
New IDEA Regulations
NDSS Education Advocacy Resources and Organizations

Children & Youth Advocacy Project Free Clinic. This Pro Bono Program by Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc started on February 27, 2007 at their Euclid office, located at 110 South Euclid Avenue, San Diego, CA 92114.  They are offering services to transitional aged students with disabilities and their families. Call 877-534-2524 x2614 to make an appointment - clinic is open Tuesdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm or Thursdays from 1:00 to 4:00pm.

Postsecondary Opportunities for Students with Disabilities - online toolkit

Youth And Disability Disclosure

Road to Self-Sufficiency: A Guide to Entrepreneurship for Youth with Disabilities

IDEA Reauthorization:

Summary of Legislation IDEA, as signed into law
Wright's Law Detailed Analysis
Analysis of IDEA 2004 by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service
Our Children Left Behind Experiences at recent public hearings on IDEA
New IDEA Parent Guide - takes you through the special education process, with parent perspectives, terms you'll find helpful to know, and practical materials for parents such as Checklists, Sample Letters, Charts, and Questions to Ask.


Federal Government and Legislation:

Support for Families Guide to legislative and public policy websites for families of children with disabilities
NDSS Advocacy Center Information and advocacy tools provided by the National Down Syndrome Society
A Road Map to Personal and Economic Freedom for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities in the 21st Century A Report by the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities recommends ways to increase personal and economic independence for people with intellectual disabilities.

State Government and Legislation:

Family Cost Participation Program (FCPP) Families who receive day care, respit and/or camping services from Regional Center in California may now be required to pay a portion of the cost.  Information provided includes draft emergency regulations,  Family Cost Participation Program Guide, Frequently Asked Questions , family cost participation calculator (as an Excel Spreadsheet) .
Issue Briefs, Legislative Bills, Tools Covers legislation in California, with links to federal legislation.  Provided by the California Association of Family Empowerment Centers.
Know Your Legislature Assemblymen, senators, schedules, etc.
California Developmental Services System A chart showing the agencies that serve people with developmental disabilities.
The Coleman Institute "State of the States in Developmental
Disabilities" report and individual state profiles.
Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered
SABEs goal is to make self-advocacy available in every state including institutions, high schools, rural areas, and people living with families with local support and advisors to help. Work with the criminal justice system and people with disabilities about their rights within the criminal justice system. Close institutions for people with developmental disabilities labels nationwide, and build community supports. 
The Self-Advocate Leadership Network - a team of self-advocates who will travel anywhere to prepare self-advocates to play a leadership role in shaping developmental disabilities systems to promote self-determination, community integration, and participant-driven supports.

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