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Getting Your Voice Heard

How you can join the Advocating for Public Policy Change Project

APPC Project

The Advocating for Public Policy Change Project helps people with disabilities, their families, and friends learn how to take an active role in their community and become involved in governmental decisions.

APPC offers trainings about:

How to become an advocate and leader
How to teach policymakers about independence, productivity, and community participation
How a bill becomes a law
How to write and talk with local, state and federal leaders
How to work to change policies
How to use the media (newspapers, radio, TV) to let the public know about issues that are important to you and others with disabilities
How to work with other advocates to make your voices stronger

As a member of the APPC Project, you will meet and share ideas with people from your community. Several regional sites are coordinating advocacy efforts in Ohio: Akron, Athens, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Dover, Marietta, and Toledo. Select a site near where you live.

Advocates and the coordinator of the site you choose will provide trainings, materials, and supports to help you. Some of the materials include:

Legislative Update - an electronic newsletter that explains current state and federal legislative issues
Fast Facts - information sheets about important issues that you need to know
Getting Your Voice Heard - video presentation about how to communicate with individuals and the media

Policymakers create the laws and make the decisions about money that are critical to the lives of people with disabilities. These laws and resources provide supports and services that help people go to school, have careers, and live in neighborhoods of their choice.

To learn how YOU can work with policymakers and get your voice heard, join the APPC Project today!

To join APPC, call or write the site listed on the back of this brochure.

Or, fill out this form and mail it to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council at the address on the back.

Yes, I would like to participate in the APPC Project.

PLEASE PRINT
Name
Address
City
Zip
Phone: Days
Evenings

I am:

a person with a disability
a parent or guardian of a person with a disability
a service provider
an interested party, please describe:

Do legislators and leaders in your community know you?
Do people who make rules and provide services understand what people with disabilities and their families need?
Do you call or write members of congress to tell them what's important in your life?

In today's world, it's important that we all participate in these types of activities. People making decisions about the lives of people with disabilities need to hear from us. And you can help. Join the APPC Project - and learn how to get your voice heard. For more information, contact Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council 8 E. Long Street 12th Floor Columbus, Ohio 43215 (800) 766-7426 (614) 466-5205 (614) 644-5530 tty (614) 466-0298 fax