Advocating for your Family Member Services & Supports Addressing Your Concerns & Challenges to FI’s, Care Managers, Brokers and Program Directors
- Educate yourself
- Ask Questions
- Don’t stop after the first “no”!
- Not satisfied? Ask to speak with supervisor!
- Ask for the written ‘guidelines’
- Read documents before signing
Principles of Advocacy with Legislators
- Relationship building takes time –Plant a seed and follow up!
- Connect with other families in the Self-Direction Community
- Prepare Your Elevator Pitch
- Always mention the benefits of Self-Direction (ex: choice, flexibility, community integration)
- Collect resources to support your Advocacy Position (“Challenge”)
- Explain issue affecting Self-Direction
- Have a clear “Ask” that includes a suggested solution to the “Challenge”
- Follow up with an email or letter: state your issue, repeat your “Ask” and express gratitude for Legislator’s time and support
Connecting with Policymakers
In this short video, learn how people with disabilities and their families can connect with the policymakers in their community and inform and advocate for the issues that are important to them:
