Author: Rebecca Hare

Resource available at http://www.ncld-youth.info/Downloads/legislative_policy_guide.pdf

This guide is designed to help youth with disabilities become stronger advocates. This encompasses a wide array of issues including the basics of how a bill becomes a law, how to educate yourself on the issues that are important to you, and how to use that information in talking with your legislator. This is developed for and by young people with disabilities to be used in classroom settings, in trainings, and to better prepare young people to advocate for themselves.

Published By: National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth

Publication Date: 2007

Author: Imagine Enterprises

Resource available at http://www.imagineenterprises.com/images/pdfS/10MW_Toolkit_101.pdf

"A Roadmap to Understanding Texas Medicaid Waivers" provides basic information including tips on how to access and use Texas Medicaid Waivers. This document combines the principles of self-determination with the rules and guidelines of the Medicaid waiver programs in order to assist individuals with disabilities in getting to where they want to in their lives.

Published By: Imagine Enterprises

ABLE Center's four core services are: information and referral, independent living skills, advocacy, and peer counseling/peer support.

Author: Mike Green and Henry Moore

Resource available at http://www.inclusion.com, inclusionpress@inclusion.com, 416-658-5363

This book and accompanying DVD support community inclusion for people with disabilities based on Mike Green & Henry Moore's work in Asset Based Community Development (ABCD). The materials support a practical approach to creating community collaborations that work. The book and DVD provide clear illustration of ABCD organizing principles and best practices, examples of ABCD organizing in action, learning exercises, worksheets, and reflections from experienced practitioners of ABCD organizing.

Published By: Inclusion Press

Publication Date: 2007

Author: Ken Irvine and Marilyn Golden

Resource available at http://www.dredf.org/transportation/paratransit_eligibility.html

The purpose of this handout is to assist people with disabilities to obtain an accurate and fair ADA paratransit eligibility determination. Many people with disabilities who should be eligible for paratransit services according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are denied eligibility because transit agencies are not accurately assessing their capacities.

Published By: Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund

Author: Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities

Resource available at http://www.txddc.state.tx.us/public_policy/advocacy101.asp

TCDD has compiled information and resources from various sources to assist individuals and organizations in their advocacy efforts. This information is designed to give the lay person an overview of the basic policymaking processes in Texas and how to influence policy. Information within the Advocacy 101 portal covers various topics, including policymaking at the legislative and administrative levels.

Published By: Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities

Author: Benefits Assistance Resource Center, Virginia Commonwealth Rehabilitation Research & Training Center on Workplace Supports

Resource available at http://www.worksupport.com/documents/witn1.pdf

The goal of this fact sheet is to share information about techniques to prevent overpayments or underpayments and to present advocacy strategies for a successful relationship with the Social Security Administration (SSA). This fact sheet presents information about: available SSA services, establishing eligibility, and working in partnership with the SSA.

Published By: Benefits Assistance Resource Center, Virginia Commonwealth Rehabilitation Research & Training Center on Workplace Supports

Graduates of the Arc of Dallas' Leadership Institute can participate in the Arc of Dallas' chapter of Texas Advocates, called Advocate Leaders. This self-advocacy group provides opportunities for advocacy training, community service activities, fundraisers, and information about local public policy issues.

The Advocates of Fort Bend County are individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are learning to advocate for themselves. Topics at monthly meetings include: leadership skills, job skills, self-determination, and independence.

Advocating Change Together (ACT) is a grassroots disability rights organization run by and for people with developmental and other disabilities. ACT's mission is to help people across disabilities to see themselves as part of a larger disability rights movement and make connections to other civil and human rights struggles. Products include numerous curricula, DVDs, and other materials related to advocacy, self-advocacy, and community organizing.

Author: Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc.

Resource available at http://www.sanys.org/AllAboutGroups22007web.pdf

This document contains detailed information about starting a self-advocacy group. First, it provides a brief description of self-advocacy, and the role of self-advocacy groups. Following this, topics covered include: why start a group; steps to starting a successful self-advocacy group; ways to support a self-advocacy group over time; officers and their roles; group meeting basics; decision-making and voting; electing officers; projects that groups have worked on; and role of the advisor.

Published By: Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc.

AADB is a national consumer organization of, by, and for deaf-blind Americans and their supporters. "Deaf-blind" includes all types and degrees of dual vision and hearing loss. AADB offers a wide variety of information and resources.

Resource available at http://www.afb.org

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. Its priorities are to: broaden access to technology, increase the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss, and promote independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources.

Published By: American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)

The mission of the Any Baby Can Child and Family Resource Center is to ensure that all children reach their potential through education, therapy, and family support services. To this end, the Center offers a variety of programs and services to support families who have children with special needs.

Pete Jiminez is President of The Arc del Paso.

Col. (Ret.) Walt Krueger is the President of The Arc of Bell County.

Yvonne Bates is the President of The Arc of Brown County.

Paula Etheridge is the President of the Arc of Bryan-College Station.

The President of the Arc of Calhoun County is Marie Willman.

The President of the Arc of Cypress Creek is Gordon Biescar.