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.
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.
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.
Tips for a Successful IN-PERSON Meeting - Download the Tipsheet
Tips for a Successful VIRTUAL Meeting - Download the tipsheet in PDF or in TXT
Brush up on Public Policy
Learn about our 2023 TDC Policy Priorities (the problem, the details, and the solution!) with our crash course in public policy below!
Download the "ABLE Account Estate Recovery Prohibition" One-Pager
Download the "Right to Repair" One-Pager
Download the "Corporal Punishment Limits" One-Pager
Learn How You Can Prepare for DDH from a Self-Advocate
Share Your Story to Help Make Change:
"Social Media Advocacy Toolkit" Download in PDF or Download in TXT
Download "How to Write Your Story"
Learn how to track bills using the Tennessee General Assembly website:
Download our guide to using the General Assembly Website
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.