The Advocacy Advisory Council supports the Arkansas Alliance for Disability Advocacy by working with its staff to develop tools and events that adhere to the program’s overall goals and objectives. Advisory members oversee the general effectiveness of the program while growing it to its maximum potential.
Welcoming people with disabilities and their allies, ages 16+!
When we speak together, our voices are louder.
When we work together, we cover more ground.
Advocating for myself changes things for me…but advocating together changes things for EVERYONE.
The Arkansas Alliance for Disability Advocacy educates and empowers disability advocates, builds awareness about the issues people with disabilities face every day, and fosters collaboration between advocacy programs to give self-advocates, peer advocates, parent advocates, and legislative leaders the tools they need to be active participants in the disability rights movement.
Power in Numbers
The Alliance provides oversight, administrative support, and technical assistance to three advocacy projects:
- Self-Advocates Network Development (SAND), which provides advocacy training and leadership development to people with disabilities across Arkansas;
- Community of Champions, which educates youth with and without disabilities, parents, community members and legislative leaders on the need for disability advocacy and how to be active in advocacy activities; and
- Partners in Policymaking, an extensive 8 session training that educates participants on effective ways to develop relationships with elected officials in order to directly influence public policy impacting people with disabilities.
How will the Alliance help me be a better advocate?
We’re working to make Arkansas a place where every person is fully included in the life of their communities. People with disabilities have the tools and the freedom to live life on their own terms. And policymakers hear and understand the needs of Arkansans with disabilities.
The Alliance trains self-advocates, family members, and supporters in leadership, voting, and public policy advocacy, so that they can participate fully in making the decisions that affect their lives. The disability rights movement needs YOU!
Calendar of Upcoming Events – Coming Soon!
For more information about the Arkansas Alliance for Disability Advocacy, contact Ally Thomlinson, Program Director at athomlinson@DisabilityRightsAR.org.