Dr. Sheldon Horowitz recently asked readers what might happen if parents and other advocates set out to raise public awareness through an "Occupy LD" campaign. We asked NCLD's Parent Leaders to share their suggestions on how to accomplish this. Below is one of the inspired ideas we received.

 

Early this year, NCLD's Sheldon Horowitz asked readers what might happen if parents and other advocates set out to raise public awareness through an "Occupy LD" movement. While I haven’t followed the “Occupy Wall Street” movement closely, I can appreciate the passion and zeal protestors exhibit as they stand up against financial greed and corruption. It’s amazing how quickly such grassroots movements can spring up, and it’s encouraging to consider what could happen if thousands of people across our nation decided to “Occupy LD”!

Here in Pennsylvania, I belong to a group of advocates that is collaborating to share with policymakers and administrators the true stories of children and youth with disabilities. We hope to occupy their minds and touch their hearts with the realities that our children live out every day. The slow progress of starting a state-wide initiative can be discouraging and daunting. One remedy is a simple advocacy approach a friend of mine initiated several years ago. He calls it “TAKE 15” and asks that people take just 15 minutes of their time to take action for the cause. The premise of “TAKE 15” is simple: Spending just 15 minutes a week can make a difference for your child and many others! Parents and other advocates for children with disabilities are encouraged to spend 15 minutes a week on any one of the following action items:

 

• Document your child’s story and disability. Make it personal, and keep it simple!
• Learn who your state legislators are, and familiarize yourself with their views on education policy. Send each of them a copy of your child’s story.
• Contact your legislator’s regional office and chat with a staffer about your questions or experiences. Ask if the legislator hosts face-to-face gatherings with constituents, or if you can schedule a 15-minute meeting with him.
• Write to a key decision-maker, such as your district superintendent, special education director, school board director, or legislator. Find something positive to say, but also share your concerns (and propose possible solutions). State facts and ask for the opportunity to start a dialogue. Include a copy of your child’s story.
• Educate yourself about the state and federal laws that protect children with disabilities. NCLD's Resource Locator is a great place to start.
• Invite 15 other families to join you in the “TAKE 15” advocacy movement.

Here in Pennsylvania, our goal for 2012 is for each of 15 professional advocates to gather the stories of 15 children and youth with disabilities. We'll combine those stories and share them with state and federal legislators. It is our hope that the collective voices of families across our state will be heard loud and clear, bringing about some much-needed changes for the kids who need it most!