Advocacy 101 How to be an Effective Advocate

Advocacy 101: How to be an Effective Advocate Brooke Hohfeld, Co-Executive Director of Texas Advocates Ashley Ford, Deputy Director of Public Policy & Advocacy at The Arc of Texas

Overview: Advocacy 101 ● ● Defining Advocacy Importance of Advocacy Transportation Advocacy Legislative Advocacy During 87 th Session ● Advocacy Tips During 87 th Session ● Advocacy Resources

Defining Advocacy = speaking up to get what you or someone else needs or wants Systems advocacy = changing policies, laws or rules that impact how someone lives their life. These efforts can be targeted at a local, state, or national level.

Why is Advocacy Important? If you don’t ask for it, you’re not going to get it. ● People with disabilities, their family members, and their allies should get involved in their local, state, and federal governments on the issues important to them. ● By telling your own story, you can effect positive change benefitting all Texans with disabilities.

Transportation is the basis for everything! ● To be an advocate, you will need effective transportation. BUT you can still be an effective advocate without transportation! ● Don’t let no transportation stop you from getting involved! ● The opportunities for remote advocacy are better than ever before!

Are You an Advocate? You don’t need formal training to become an advocate. There are just a few basic things you need to know to be effective with your advocacy. The only “special skills” needed by successful advocates are: ● ● Knowledge of the system in which you are going to advocate Knowledge of the issue(s) Personal commitment to the issue(s) Knowing when, why and how to communicate with the people who make things happen

Where to Start: Legislative Advocacy Tips 1. Understand how transportation public policies impact your life. 2. Become familiar with public policy recommendations and proposals and the people leading the charge. 3. Learn from and practice with more seasoned advocates. 4. Develop strong relationships with legislators and their staff. 5. Ask for a meeting with a legislative office. Storytelling and data

Advocacy Tips During the 87 th Session ● Get comfortable with Zoom ● Get to the point when meeting with offices ● Focus on 1 or 2 issues at a time ● Keep information you provide to offices limited to 1 or 2 pages ● Use care with naming files you attach in an email to offices (provide your name/organization name, date of material, appropriate title) ● Ask for accomodations when you need them to participate in committee hearings

New Look of Advocacy During Legislative Session ● COVID-19 tests required to enter the building* ● Face-to-face visits more limited ● Likely inconsistent procedures among different committees ● House will allow for a portal for testimony to be submitted from afar, Senate will likely not allow for any remote testimony ● Schedule meetings a way that you feel comfortable! ● Request accommodations within 72 hours after posting to enable you participate in committee hearings The House and Senate gave themselves a lot of flexibility and room to pivot as session progresses and circumstances change. Recommended Reading: https: //www. statesman. com/story/news/politics/state/2021/01/14/texas-house-senate-approve-rules-governing-pandemic/4159095001/ https: //www. texastribune. org/2021/01/14/texas-house-virtual-testimony/

Advocacy Resources ● Self-Advocacy Manual by Texas Advocates: http: //www. texadvocates. org/wpcontent/uploads/2016/09/Get-the-Power_Manual-FINAL-and-printedversion. pdf ● Texas Advocates You. Tube: https: //www. youtube. com/user/Texas. Advocates ● Advocacy Toolkit by The Arc of Texas: https: //www. thearcoftexas. org/wpcontent/uploads/MOVE-Tool-Kit-English. pdf ● The Arc of Texas You. Tube: https: //www. youtube. com/channel/UCAWh. Rdme. Uso. F 1 pq. BM 3 RY 8 k. A

Contact Information Brooke Hohfeld, Co-Executive Director of Texas Advocates brooke. hohfeld@texadvocates. org 512 -710 -5708 http: //www. texadvocates. org/ Ashley Ford, Deputy Director of Public Policy & Advocacy for The Arc of Texas aford@thearcoftexas. org 512 -485 -9732 https: //www. thearcoftexas. org/