Parent Coalition
The Purpose of our Parent Coalition is to
advocate for people and families affected by developmental disabilities
and then in turn teach you how to advocate for each other and
yourselves. Each of us is an extra set of eyes, ears & a voice for our family member. If we won't advocate for them, who will?
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We are empowering family members to be more actively engaged at the grass roots level in improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities. It is "our job" to let our decision makers at all levels of Government understand how their decisions affect us and our family members. From budgets to bills - they don't walk in our shoes - we do. They can't represent us if they're not hearing from us. They can't hear us if we're not talking. Contact your elected officials.
We encourage and teach parents to be active participants as equal team members in their Child's IEP meetings. We want the outcomes of our efforts to be that parents and students are both satisfied with their IEP/Transition plans and the services that result from these plans. We want empowered families and self-advocates to unite together with a strong voice and then help other families in return.
We encourage and teach parents to be active participants as equal team members in their Child's IEP meetings. We want the outcomes of our efforts to be that parents and students are both satisfied with their IEP/Transition plans and the services that result from these plans. We want empowered families and self-advocates to unite together with a strong voice and then help other families in return.
What is Advocacy anyway?
Advocacy (Wikipedia) Advocate: One who speaks on behalf of another person, especially in a legal context… Implicit in the concept is the notion that the represented lacks the knowledge, skill, ability, or standing to speak for themselves.
Dictionary.com - Advocate:
Good advocacy is not about being aggressive or adversarial. In fact, it is just the opposite. A good advocate simply "ADs their VOiCe to the debATE" in a constructive, positive manner. You can be assertive with a positive attitude without becoming angry and adversarial. When we become aggressive and adversarial, our listener - the person/group whom we are trying to influence shuts down and doesn't hear us, thereby making our efforts worthless. The old adage about catching more flies with honey is absolutely true. I want to learn more...
Click here to go to the Arc of Washington's most current Issue Papers & Links for our Current Legislative Session.
ABC's of Advocacy:
A - Take Action:
B - Believe in Yourself as the "Expert". You are the expert on yourself or your family member.
C - Communicate clearly and effectively.
Effective communication is not:
For more resources about advocacy and how to speak up for yourself or family member, visit our Resource Page.
Dictionary.com - Advocate:
- 3: one that supports or promotes the interests of another
- verb: to plead in favor of
Good advocacy is not about being aggressive or adversarial. In fact, it is just the opposite. A good advocate simply "ADs their VOiCe to the debATE" in a constructive, positive manner. You can be assertive with a positive attitude without becoming angry and adversarial. When we become aggressive and adversarial, our listener - the person/group whom we are trying to influence shuts down and doesn't hear us, thereby making our efforts worthless. The old adage about catching more flies with honey is absolutely true. I want to learn more...
Click here to go to the Arc of Washington's most current Issue Papers & Links for our Current Legislative Session.
ABC's of Advocacy:
A - Take Action:
- Make a phone call - takes less than 5 minutes.
- Write a letter - less than 5 minutes if you use The Arc web-site & form letters.
- Have a visit in person. Appointments usually take 5 - 15 minutes.
B - Believe in Yourself as the "Expert". You are the expert on yourself or your family member.
C - Communicate clearly and effectively.
Effective communication is not:
- Angry
- Demanding my own way
- Writing nasty letters
- Making angry phone calls
- Yelling and screaming
- Passive
- I’ll just sit here and wait for it all to work out
- No news is good news
- Que sera sera – whatever will be will be…
- Knowing your rights and responsibilities.
- Partnering with others, (recognizing each professional’s unique role - job description)
- Being willing to take a stand and “add my voice”.
- Being courteous and careful.
- Telling a story on behalf of another.
For more resources about advocacy and how to speak up for yourself or family member, visit our Resource Page.
