Leadership opportunities
Self Advocate Robert Wardell met with his Senator Hans Zeiger to talk about getting rid of institutions for the IDD community during the 2020 Legislative Session
Advocate/Self Advocate
You can make a difference and be the reason why change happens. An advocate is someone who sees a concern and uses their voice to stand up for what's right. They can use their voice to stand up for themselves or for others.
Political Advocate
Political Advocates meet with state legislators during the Legislative session to talk about whats important to them and their community. They testify and share their stories during committee hearings about bills they support or want to get rid of, they also make phone calls, send emails,and set up coffee to meet with legislators when the session is out. They also meet with their local legislators like mayors, commissioners or city council reps in their own city by attending local city hall and council meetings.
Advocacy Days
The Advocacy Partnership Project helps host Advocacy Days once a week during the entire legislative session. These are specific days, usually Wednesdays, that are set aside for people in the IDD community to go to the capitol to meet with their legislators. By going down and sharing your story you may be the reason why a legislator changes their vote to support an issue that is important to you. Training and help with transportation is available for those who need it.
If you want to be a leader, self advocate, or attend an Advocacy day click the phone icon or call 253-722-9564 for more details.
The Advocacy Partnership Project helps host Advocacy Days once a week during the entire legislative session. These are specific days, usually Wednesdays, that are set aside for people in the IDD community to go to the capitol to meet with their legislators. By going down and sharing your story you may be the reason why a legislator changes their vote to support an issue that is important to you. Training and help with transportation is available for those who need it.
If you want to be a leader, self advocate, or attend an Advocacy day click the phone icon or call 253-722-9564 for more details.
Pierce County Opportunities:
Pierce County Accessible Communities Advisory Committee
The committee is actively involved in the following activities: Advising on addressing the needs of persons with disabilities in emergency plans; advising the county and other local governments within the county on access to programs services and activities, new construction or renovation projects, sidewalks, other pedestrian routes of travel, and disability parking enforcement; and developing local initiatives and activities to promote greater awareness of disability issues, and acceptance, involvement, and access for persons with disabilities within the community.
Pierce County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board
The Pierce County Developmental Disabilities Board assists and advises Pierce County Human Services on:
Services to individuals with developmental disabilities -The development of the Five-Year Plan - Agency operations conducted under the plan-Evaluation of ongoing programs-The selection of contractors.
Board members have a responsibility to receive and provide information related to board activities involving stakeholders, such as parents, individuals with disabilities, agency staff and other interested community members.
Pierce County Boards and Commissions
Find information about meetings, agendas and minutes, members and descriptions for the following Pierce County volunteer boards and commissions.
There are a variety of boards and commissions you can participate with see more opportunities at Pierce County Boards and Commissions website.
People First of Pierce County
Would you like to meet other self advocates in Pierce County? People first is one of the top self-advocacy organizations in the United States. The pierce chapter is 1 of over 30 active chapters around the state of Washington with a membership of over 1,000 people. They have numerous resources for training materials on self-advocacy, leadership, fundraising, etc. If you would like to get involved the Pierce county Chapter meets the first Friday of every month at 2pm by goto meeting link or at the P.A.V.E Tacoma office. If you would like to attend the goto meeting online please request the access code For more info check out their facebook for the most up to date info.
Youth Opportunities:
Youth Leadership Forum
The Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (YLF) is a unique career leadership training program for high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. By serving as delegates from their communities at a event in their state capital, young people with disabilities cultivate leadership, citizenship, and social skills. The 2020 Youth Leadership Forum will be held July 25-31 at Eastern Washington University in Cheney.
Youth Leadership Forum
The Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (YLF) is a unique career leadership training program for high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. By serving as delegates from their communities at a event in their state capital, young people with disabilities cultivate leadership, citizenship, and social skills. The 2020 Youth Leadership Forum will be held July 25-31 at Eastern Washington University in Cheney.