The NC Partners in
Policymaking is
funded by the
North Carolina Council
on Developmental
Disabilities.
Partners in Policymaking™ is a leadership training program designed for adults with disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities. The program teaches leadership skills, and the process of developing positive partnerships with elected officials and other individuals who make the policy decisions about services that you and your family use.
Partners is about systems change – creating, working towards and achieving a vision of shared values about people with disabilities. It is based on the belief that the most effective and enduring public policy decisions are made by the people who need and use services in partnership with elected officials and their policymakers. It is about becoming confident in yourself, competent in the knowledge and information you will receive, and comfortable in sharing the life experiences and expertise you bring to the program
Partners attend eight, two-day training sessions, in Raleigh, NC. Each session begins at 12 p.m. on Saturday and concludes by 3:30 pm on Sunday. National and state leaders in the disability movement present various topics such as:
- History of Disability and the Disability Rights Movement
- Inclusive Education and Communicating Effectively in Meetings
- Supported Employment, Supported Living, Person-Centered Planning
- Assistive Technology, Seating & Positioning, Positive Behavior Supports
- Federal Policy and Legislative Process
- State Legislative Process and Current Issues
- State Policy/Service System Boards and Commissions and Parliamentary Procedures
- Community Organizing and Local Government Service Advocacy
Attendance at all eight sessions is mandatory. Partners participants are expected to complete assignments between sessions and also to commit to one major public policy project after graduation. Examples include: serving as an intern with a public official; organizing town meetings; making presentations to parents, churches, hospitals, employers or to other organizations; creating a support group; or developing a brochure for distribution on a disability-related topic.
Each 2013 session will be held at the Raleigh Marriott City Center located at 500 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 (map/directions)
The dates are:
June 8 & 9
June 29 & 30
July 13 & 14
August 3 & 4
August 24 & 25
September 21 & 22
October 19 & 20
November 9 & 10
This training program is free to participants selected to attend. This includes registration for eight sessions, lodging, transportation, and meals, all arranged by Advocacy Institute, Inc., the Project Coordinator of the 2013 Partners in Policymaking project. Partners in Policymaking is funded by the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities.
The deadline for 2013 applications has passed.
Any questions may be directed to Vonetta Blakely at: 704.649.5627; or you can email Vonetta Blakely.