Advocating and Public Policy

Highlights from the "Topical Public Policy Workshop" at the LDAA International Conference in Anaheim, CA (2/19/14)

Myrna Mandlawitz, LDA Policy Director, Washington, DC was the facilitator for the panel that included LDA State Presidents, LDA State Executive Directors/State Legislative Chairs.

The purpose of this workshop was to identify key risks and opportunities and to determine how LDA National, State Affiliates, and Collaborative Partnerships can make the difference in critical issues like Common Core State Standards and other issues of concern for students with LD and ADHD.

1. Some of the topics LDA activists are involved with include:  budget and appropriations, accommodations for assessments, graduate rate, LEARN Act (Computer Literacy Act Birth to 12), Re-authorization of ESEA and IDEA, environmental concerns, and adult issues.
2.  Advocacy is the mobilization of a network of activists for a common goal.
3.  Two critical concepts of legislation are:  Authorization (establishing a program and setting funding limits) and Appropriations (providing funds for authorization programs).
4.  Six steps to effective advocacy:  1) determine the issue, 2)research the issue, 3) build a network, 4) communicate with allies, 5) set clear goals, and 6) develop a plan and take action.
5.  Critical points in advocating are:  1) When you have an issue to address (i.e.: how to get lawmakers to make it their issue), 2) when a lawmaker raises an issue (committee hearings, research phase, bill drafting, floor action, and governor's action), and 3) authorizing and appropriating.
6.  Key roles in lawmaking:  legislators, personal staff and committee staff, constituents, lobbyists, "experts" (with personal experience), researchers, folks working in the field of interest.
7.  Developing relationships:  building relationships with district and state staff members of congress, etc.
8.  Staying informed through:  1) http://THOMAS.loc.gov, 2) information on state legislative websites (education, labor, health), 3) meetings and minutes of local and state Boards of Education, and 4) legislative information.
9.  Advocacy coalitions are: groups of people or organizations working together to pursue a single goal and all members make a long-term commitment to share responsibilities and resources.  The two kinds of advocacy coalitions are broad-joint policy agenda and issue specific.
10. Successful coalitions share clear structure and diverse membership.
11. LDAA belongs to more than ten coalitions, including the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities and Advocates for Literacy.
12. LDA Key Plan contact program:  The need is to build relationships with key state and federal policy makers to educate about Specific Learning Disabilities and their impact on peoples' lives.
13. Program goals:  to raise a general awareness about SLD and LDA, to create an effective information conduit, to establish ongoing relationships, to positively engage LDA "constituency", and to include state affiliates' involvement.
14. Program elements: identify key policymakers (state and federal level), identify LDA family volunteers, keep volunteers informed, establish and maintain relationships, and relay information back to LDA.

(submitted by Anne Fogel, Co-Secretary, LDASC)