TELLING YOUR STORY for Disability Advocacy Accommodation presentation

TELLING YOUR STORY for Disability Advocacy & Accommodation presentation materials available at: www. Rootedin. Rights. org/GSBA

Who are we?

Access Authority In Action: Trueblood! • A. B. by and through Trueblood et. al. v Washington State DSHS • Federal class action lawsuit brought in 2014, decided in 2015, currently being settled. • Class members • Unconstitutional delays • Timelines established 14 days for competency evaluations • 7 days for restoration services • • Delays continue • Contempt fines • Best use of funds

Accommodations Explained

“Disability Story” vs. Disability Rights Story

COMPONENTS OF YOUR DISABILITY RIGHTS STORY For letter writing or emails, easily transferable to talking points.

1. Who are you addressing? • Address the person • • • Use their title • • • Representative or Senator who represents you staff member who holds decision making power Representative Something Professor So-and-so Dear… • • Dear Senator Whodiwhat, Good afternoon Dean Something, Governor Inslee

2. Who are you? • 1 sentence • My name is… • Experience with disability • • • I’m a mental health peer I’m an ally with the D-Center on campus. Legislative District (if applicable) • • I’m a constituent in the 17 th legislative district. I’m from the 30 th legislative district. Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson

3. What issue does your story demonstrate? • 1 sentence • Clearly describe one problem • • I’d like to discuss the lack of behavioral health resources on campus. I’m writing to demonstrate the intergenerational effect of poverty. Chief Justice Mary E. Fairhurst

4. Why is this issue important to you? • 3 -4 sentences • Only use the parts of your story which help explain the issue you have identified. • • My friend recently had to withdraw from school after a semester of being unable to access mental health counseling on campus, and I too am unable to get the support I need to succeed. My brother and I have developed significant PTSD from being homeless. Ed Roberts Disability Rights Advocate

5. What do you want them to do about it? • 3 sentences • As clearly and specifically as possible, tell them what you’d like to see changed. • • • I urge you to fund more mental health counselors and in the meantime open a crisis line available 24/7. Please pass SB 5678 which will place social workers in schools to help families connect to services. People with decision making power want to hear your creative solutions because you may have a unique perspective or solution to a problem. Speaker Chopp 43 rd LD

6. What are YOU going to do? • Tell the decision maker that you will help them solve the problem. • • I plan to testify and ask legislators for their support of SB 5678. I’m applying for state health insurance in hopes that I can find resources off campus. • You DON’T need all the answers, just willingness to help! • 1 sentence Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib

7. What are they doing right? • 1 sentence • Decision makers are very rarely thanked for the work they do, end on a positive note and acknowledge their hard work. • • • Did you see them at a previous town hall? Did they vote for a bill you agreed with? Thank you for your commitment to UW students education. It helps to point out how disability values are their values and that you’re on the same team. DSHS Secretary Strange

8. How do they contact you? • End your letter and sign it • Give them one or two ways to contact you. • Phone, email address, physical address (place to receive mail) • Pronouns Disability Rights Advocate Temple Grandin

SPLIT INTO GROUPS Individual Accommodation | Systemic Advocacy

WHO WANTS TO SHARE? BE BRAVE ☺ YOU CAN DO THIS!

Where Do You Share a Systemic Story? • Write a letter/email to your legislator: City, County, State, Federal • Write an email to your school administration • Attend and speak up during town halls/campus meetings • Meet them for coffee before the session starts (if part time) or schedule a meeting during session • Contact the Media - Op. Ed, letter to editor, become a RIR Storyteller!

Telling Your Story for Disability Advocacy & Accommodation Clark Matthews Darya Farivar Lead Producer Community and Legislative Liaison 206 -324 -1521 clarkm@rootedinrights. org 206 -471 -9425 daryaf@dr-wa. org presentation materials available at www. Rootedin. Rights. org/GSB A THANK YOU!