Resources to Help Support Your Advocacy!
Advocacy can take many forms. Speaking up for what you need or on behalf of a larger need of your community is a powerful way to go about getting it. We want to empower you to become your own best advocate. Here are some resources to help.
How to Schedule a Meeting with Your Legislator:
Setting up a meeting with your legislator can sometimes seem scary or intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. The video below will guide you through the process step-by-step!
If you have trouble finding your legislator or their contact information, you can call the Tennessee Disability Coalition for help at 615-383-9442.
How to Prepare for Your Meeting with Your Legislator:
1. Example of a Real-Life Meeting with an Advocate and their Legislator
To help you prepare, we've created this video demonstrating how to have a successful meeting with your legislator. Our video stars Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, from Crossville, TN, and Jason Rogers, a graduate of the Lipscomb University IDEAL Post-Secondary Education Program.
2. Tips for Having a Successful Meeting with Your Legislators
Developing an ongoing personal relationship with your elected representatives creates an important foundation for local advocacy. From finding out who your state legislators are and what committees they serve on to sharing your personal story, check out our top tips for preparing for a meeting with your elected officials.
Brush up on Public Policy:
Learn about TDC's 2025 Policy Priorities
Learn How You Can Prepare for DDH:
Share Your Story to Help Make Change:
Learn how to track bills using the Tennessee General Assembly website:
DDH 2024 Legislative Webinar
Guest speakers Bliss Welch, Jackie Kancir, Amy Saffell, Tom Jedlowski, and Representative Michael Hale join Tennessee Disability Coalition's Director of Public Policy, Jeff Strand, to discuss TDC priority bills and key legislative trends for the session.
DDH 2023 Legislative Webinar
Guest speakers Senator Bill Powers, Representative Michael Hale, and Senator Becky Massey join Jeff Strand, Tennessee Disability Coalition Coordinator of Government & External Affairs, to talk about the status of the 113th Tennessee General Assembly, key legislative trends for the session, and discuss 2023 TDC priority bills for the disability community.
DDH 2022 Advocacy Webinar
Presented by policy experts and self-advocates, we walk through how you can build an effective advocacy strategy to educate policymakers and make change.
Everyday Advocacy
When people don't speak up, nothing changes. From a meeting at school to a doctor's appointment to asking for a reasonable accommodation at work, everyday advocacy makes a big difference. It's also great practice for Disability Day on the hill. Check out our animated video on how to become a confident self-advocate.