The Family Cafe

Meeting with LawmakersHow to Impact Floridas Legislative ProcessDevelopmental Disabilities Network WebinarDecember 14, 2011

1DRAFT POWERPOINTFlorida Developmental Disabilities Network2

PresentersSylvia Smith, J.D., Director of Legislative and Public Affairs, Disability Rights FloridaMargaret Hooper, MSW, Public Policy Coordinator, Florida Developmental Disabilities CouncilElizabeth Perkins, PhD, Health CoordinatorFlorida Center for Inclusive CommunitiesDaniel Armstrong, PhD, Executive DirectorMailman Center for Child Development3ObjectivesRaise awareness of the policy work of Developmental Disabilities Network agencies.Increase understanding of ways to become an effective and productive advocate or self-advocate.Learn tips to improve your meetings with legislators. Improve understanding of the legislative process and how to influence policymaking.

44Developmental Disabilities ActCreates and funds the DD Network agencies through the federal Administration on Development Disabilities. Florida Developmental Disabilities Council Disability Rights FloridaFlorida Center for Inclusive Communities, University of South FloridaFlorida Mailman Center for Child Development, University of Miami5

5DD Act & ADD MissionEnsure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to culturally-competent needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life.6

DD Network Agency Partners7P & ACouncilUCEDDsAdministration on Developmental DisabilitiesSpecific FunctionsState Councils on Developmental Disabilities engage in advocacy, capacity building and systematic change activities to carry out the purpose of the DD Act.Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

Protection and Advocacy Programs(P&As) protect the legal and human rights of all people with developmental disabilities.Disability Rights Florida

8Specific FunctionsUniversity Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) perform interdisciplinary training, community service, technical assistance, research, and information dissemination activities.University of Miami, Mailman Center for Child DevelopmentUniversity of South Florida, Florida Center for Inclusive Communities

9All DD Network AgenciesEducate, advise and inform federal, state and local policy makers.Including members of Congress, officials of Federal executive branch, Governors, members of State legislators and staff of State agencies.Assist policymakers to improve the services and opportunities available to individuals with DD and their families. 10Florida Developmental Disabilities Council & Disability Rights FloridaAlso responsible to:Advocate for individuals with DD.Advocate for the enactment or amendment of legislation.Emphasize non-partisan analysis, study and research. Often informing legislators of the advantages and disadvantages of specific proposals.Serve as a source of information and advice.1111Policy Advocacy AccomplishmentsPreventing the implementation of major service reductions for individuals on the DD/HCBS waiverProtecting the integrity of the DD service system in a difficult economyBuilding and helping to support a large coalition to support passage of school restraint and seclusion reform. 12Effective AdvocacyJoin organizationsRegister and voteBecome active in campaigns Encourage accessible campaigns

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Shared Policy GoalsCreate or join a coalition that has working relationships with other disability advocacy groups. Network with an organization that supports your view or analysis.Together we have greater influence when we support shared policy goals and bring the faces and voices of individuals with disabilities to policymakers.

14Register and Vote!Learn about your rights and how to register to vote in the Voting in Florida Guide for People with DisabilitiesComing in January 2012!15

Join Campaigns and Advocate for Accessibility

16Events and campaign offices in ADA-compliant facilities.

Sign language interpreters for all events.

Closed captioning and descriptive audio in commercials/videos. Candidates can open their campaigns to people with disabilities by:

Make an Impact!Attend town meetingsSign up for your legislators newsletterAttend and give comments at your county legislative delegation meetings 17Tips for Getting to Know and Meeting with Your LegislatorMeet one-on-one with your elected officialsInvite legislators to visit youTeach them about your family, your program or your organization Write letters to your legislatorShare your opinions Listen to their perspective on your issueDont hesitate to speak with an aide or leave a message!18Efficient Electronic CommunicationsNever a better or easier time to communicate with government representatives!Emails are read by legislative aides. Your position in the subject line is counted.Important for people with disabilities who have historically had difficulty getting their voices heard.

19Efficient Electronic CommunicationsWrite letters to the editor or opinion/editorial columns.For specific tips about advocacy letters, please see 10 Steps for Effective Self-Advocacy on the Disability Rights Florida webpage.

20Effective DiscussionsKnow what you want to say be prepared!Make sure your message clear in your own mind.Write down your most important points.Know your core message and stick with it!Rehearse!21

Effective DiscussionsHave evidence of examplesBe ready to support your view with two or three salient, well-documented factsUse personal examples, when appropriateCommunicate clearlyJargon is a barrier to communication -- dont use shorthand terms or acronyms.Describe issues using everyday language

22Effective DiscussionsBe quickKeep your message briefPlan for less than five minutes to make your case and answer questions23

Effective DiscussionsTake a deep breath. Relax.Introduce yourself as a constituent.Thank the legislator for taking the time to meet with you.Be personable and professional.24Effective DiscussionsBriefly identify your affiliated organization and explain its missionState your purpose and/or request.Identify yourself and your organization as an expert.Give the legislator a chance to explain his/her perspective on the issue.25Your Legislators Point of ViewYour legislator wants to do the right thing.Your legislator wants to be responsive.Your legislator may know nothing about your issue. Your legislator wants to know how legislation affects his/her local district.

26Your Legislators Point of ViewYour legislator finds it hard to vote against a friend but easy to vote against someone he/she doesnt know.Be willing to compromise.An all or nothing attitude often gets one NOTHING!27Leave a Positive Impression!Identify the bill or issue clearlyLeave information behindThank your legislatorWrite a thank you note to your legislator28

Strength in NumbersDont go alone. 1 person has as much right as 1,000 people to petition the Legislature, but having a friend along will help.Attend Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day!Fan out through the House and Senate Office Buildings.

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Developmental Disabilities Awareness DayFebruary 1, 2012The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council & the Arc of FloridaGreat opportunity to work with other self-advocates and families to educate the Legislature on disability issues302012 Session Starts earlier than usualBegins January 10, 2012 Lasts 60 daysNew legislative districts a key focusBudget Special Session March or April?

31How a Bill Becomes a LawEither chamber may start any type of legislationBoth chambers (Senate and House) must pass identical language or the bill dies.The process differs slightly between chambers.A legislator or committee must sponsors a bill.It must be referred to one or more committees related to its subject. Committees then decide whether to hear the bill.Committees study the bill and decide whether to amend, or vote in favor or against the bill.32How a Bill Becomes a LawIf passed, the bill moves to other committees or to the full chamber. The full chamber then votes on the bill.If it passes in one chamber, it is sent to the other for review. A bill goes through the same process in the second chamber as it did in the first.A bill can go back and forth between chambers until a consensus is reached. The bill could fail at any point along the way. 3334

Engage the Process DirectlyAttend committee meetings as bills are heard. Provide committee members with input.Ask for support or opposition before.

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Learn and Read MoreFlorida Developmental Disabilities Council:Legislative Information Page Capitol Update NewsletterPartners in Policy ProgramDisability Rights Florida Website Electronic NewsletterFlorida Center for Inclusive CommunitiesInclusion Insider Newsletter

36Learn and Read MoreMinnesota Developmental Disabilities Council Online LearningMaking Your CaseOther Organizations Training EventsLook for the Family Network on Disabilities Legislative Webinar scheduled in January. 37Learn and Read MoreFlorida Self-Advocates Networked (FL SAND)Florida Unites and WaiverProvider.comFamily Care Council of FloridaThe Arc of FloridaFlorida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities

38Find Inspiration39We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which over time add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.

Marian Wright EdelmanOn Behalf of Children

For more information:Sylvia Smith, sylviaS@disabilityrightsflorida.org

Margaret Hoopermargaretd@fddc.org

Elizabeth Perkinseperkins@usf.edu

Daniel Armstrongdarmstrong@med.miami.edu

40QUESTIONS?