Our newest pamphlet, Taking Action, may be the most useful publication United Spinal has ever produced. Its subtitle offers a specific explanation behind this opinion: A Step by Step, Self-Help Guide to Becoming a Self-Advocate & Making A Difference.
Some of the self-advocacy tenets described in Taking Action are its basic steps, its do’s and don’ts, major applicable disability laws, and typical inaccessibility scenarios. To further help the reader toward becoming a self-advocate who can make a significant difference in his/her community, this booklet provides sample letters for common disability discrimination situations, ideas on what to do when nothing happens, and information on helpful Web sites to keep your self- advocacy skills up to date.
Interspersed throughout Taking Action are thoughtful quotations from a number of United Spinal members who themselves have become truly accomplished self- advocates. One trip through this practical pamphlet makes one realize that the techniques discussed can help to make a person a successful self-advocate in any area, not just in the disability arena.
Taking Action emphasizes that self-advocacy is a process, and that within this process, there are a number of basic steps to be followed. By inserting yourself into this process-in other words, personalizing the change that you seek in your community- you can become a more effective self-advocate.
The first and the last of the five steps of self-advocacy described in Taking Action are the most important. You cannot advocate for change unless you know the law or laws that can bring it about. The focus of Taking Action is the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Amendments Act, which combined are the basis for significant protection against discrimination in employment, public and most private buildings and facilities, most forms of transportation, and housing. Once you have started an action to bring about change, it is critical to follow up. Your persistence lets the entity you are battling know that you are not to be taken lightly and that the change you seek is important.
Taking Action has a great list of “do’s and don’ts,” too. For example, do feel free to start at the top when seeking change in your community. Why try to have someone in no position to bring about your suggested improvement pursue it? It won’t happen! But, don’t let too much time pass between calls or letters to the offending authority. If you do, it will be like starting all over again.
Taking Action also contains typical complaint situations with the specific law that should be pursued listed with them, as well as more detailed scenarios. Once the reader has absorbed the complaint/applicable law pages, the scenario section can be turned into a quiz. Test your self-advocacy skills, then find the correct answers in the pages which follow. Reading this booklet can be turned into a fun project, too.
Here at United Spinal, since we don’t believe in reinventing the wheel, we have loaded up Taking Action with sample letters. Feel free to use them word-for-word when you lodge your next request for change, but don’t forget to send your thank-you letter (sample also printed in our pamphlet) when you are successful. A follow-up thank-you note paves the way for future positive communications.
We are also realists here at United Spinal. Sometimes, your first phone call, e-mail, or letter simply does not work to solve the inaccessibility problem. Everyone involved is treating you with respect, but there is still no parking space, curb cut, or access ramp. What do you do if nothing happens?
First, you want to document everything and hang on to copies of what you send. Next, try a second, or even a third letter, and again retain copies. If letter number three doesn’t bring you results, it’s time to get help. You can receive assistance from United Spinal’s Advocacy program or your local independent living center. If legal action is required, again United Spinal’s Legal Affairs program or a local legal services office should be called upon. You want to keep in mind that legal steps should be the last recourse.
Taking Action concludes with some helpful Web sites and a few good final tips. You can read or download Taking Action at www.unitedspinal.org. You can also order a free printed copy on our Web site, or call toll-free 800-444-0120 to have this pamphlet mailed to you. Make a difference in your neighborhood!
Terry Moakley is Associate Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs.
