Project Description:
A 2006 study of self-advocacy in Virginia shows that individuals with developmental disabilities want to work with others to build a statewide self-advocacy network through which they can improve their ability to speak for themselves, stand up for one another, and bring about systems change. Many individuals with disabilities in Virginia have become accomplished self-advocates, speaking for themselves and taking responsibility for their lives and choices. While individual advocacy is extremely valuable and needed, there remains a need for coordinated approaches to self-advocacy in Virginia which encourage the active involvement of individuals with disabilities in systems change. The proposed project, the Virginia Center for Self-Advocacy Leadership (VCSAL), would coordinate existing self-advocacy efforts and begin new ones. VCSAL would be based at the Partnership for People with Disabilities, staffed by one self-advocate and one parent, and accessed via internet, phone, community training events, and quarterly statewide meetings.
VCSAL will provide young people who have developmental disabilities with different types of opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills to become effective self-advocates and leaders, and to connect with other self-advocates throughout the state. The target groups are youth (ages 13 to 17) and young adults (ages 18 to 30) who are emerging leaders, including individuals living in poverty or from unserved or underserved communities.
Five to 10 emerging leaders will join with staff members and selected allies from across Virginia on an advisory board to provide direction for the project. VCSAL will partner with school divisions and local, regional, and state agencies and organizations that involve, or wish to involve, self-advocates in issues important to their lives. VCSAL will accomplish its purpose through creation of:
1. Training modules, workshops, presentations, and self-study guides on a variety of topics to support self-advocacy leadership development in communities leading to creation of a network of co-trainers (self-advocates and allies) to serve as a ?speakers bureau.?
2. A website for sharing information, increasing visibility of self-advocacy leadership, listing training modules and materials, and providing links to websites and information.
3. Information and referral center capacity for self-advocacy and self-advocacy leadership.
4. A mentoring program that supports 10 emerging leaders yearly in developing individual plans for self-advocacy leadership.
We envision the following outcomes:
? Youth and emerging leaders understand their own power to make choices in their lives.
? Youth and emerging leaders acquire skills in speaking up and planning for their lives at an earlier age.
? Some youth and emerging leaders become leaders in their respective communities and at regional and state levels, speaking up for themselves and others.
? Youth and emerging leaders know the supports and services that are available to them and can make informed decisions.
? Up-to-date, youth-friendly information is used on an ongoing basis by youth and emerging self-advocates.
? A collective voice for self-advocacy for youth and young adult issues is present in Virginia, enabling systems change.
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances
