Knowledge is Power: Advocacy’s Education Training Series Takes to the Road

by Marlene L. Perkins

We have all heard the saying, “knowledge is power.” This simple statement is the cornerstone of what it takes to become an effective advocate. In order to truly make an impact and a positive difference, it is important to have a basic knowledge of the laws and policies that directly affect the change you are striving to achieve.

For over 50 years, United Spinal Association has been a leader in the area of advocacy outreach and education. From our work with national and regional disability rights organizations to our numerous publications and brochures, as well as our training seminars and conferences, we have been a major resource in the community at large for issues that affect people with disabilities.

This is evident in the Advocacy program’s numerous seminars on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for members of the private sector and business community. For more than 15 years, we have reached thousands of design professionals (i.e., architects, engineers, code officials) through education programs on accessibility as it is reflected in the building codes. The purpose of this training program is to not only educate and inform, but to empower design professionals with the knowledge of applicable laws and regulations. Knowledge is power.

Advocacy Training Series-How it works

United Spinal Association’s Advocacy program has now developed an outreach education series designed specifically for community organizations and disability rights groups. The primary focus of this training series is to enhance and increase advocates’ level of understanding of relevant disability laws and policies, which in turn will result in positive change for people with disabilities as well as the community as a whole.

The Advocacy Training series is comprised of three components:

• ADA/Accessibility: addresses the law and its application, basic information on physical accessibility, recent changes to the law and ADA Accessibility Guideline (ADAAG) updates

• Housing: covers the basics of the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA) and other civil rights laws, reporting complaints, financial matters (i.e., predatory lending), and available national resources

• Self-Advocacy: addresses relevant and applicable disability rights laws, handling complaints, letter writing, and getting involved in the community

Advocacy staff will come to any site and provide the training, which includes a PowerPoint® presentation and handouts/publications. Each training component is approximately an hour to an hour and a half and can be designed to meet the specific needs of the organization or audience. For example, one group may decide to focus its training on Housing and the ADA, another may want a session on Self-Advocacy only or all three topics. Furthermore, United Spinal does not charge for this in-house training, which is recommended for advocates, consumers, social workers, volunteers, community advocacy groups and staff at independent living centers.

Advocacy Training on the Road

So far, our Advocacy Training program series has reached many individuals throughout New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. On a national level, this year our training program has been presented at the Abilities Expo and Caring Communities’ World of Possibilities Disability Expo. Both events attract thousands of individuals from across the country from the disability community. We will also conduct an outreach campaign at this year’s National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) conference in Washington, DC.

Knowledge is Power. Knowledge will also help you make positive changes for you and your community. If you would like to learn more about the Advocacy Training Series or discuss the development of a training session, please contact me at 215-381-3037 (Philadelphia), or e-mail: mperkins@unitedspinal.org or Lisa Gesson at 718-803-3782 (New York City), or e-mail:
lgesson@unitedspinal.org .

Marlene L. Perkins is Assistant Director of Advocacy.