Programs

Individual and Systems Advocacy

Individual Advocacy

Advocacy is an activity by an individual or group which aims to
influence decisions within political, economic, and social systems and
institutions. Advocacy can include many activities that a person or
organization undertakes including media campaigns, public speaking,
commissioning and publishing research or conducting exit poll or the
filing of an amicus brief.

It is important that people develop their own advocacy skills so that
they can speak up for their own needs and rights. This is what
happens on the individual advocacy level. This can involve simple
things such as making a phone call or filing a complaint.

Systems Advocacy

Systems advocacy works on solving issues on a larger scale. It seeks
to bridge the gap between the disabled community and elected
officials by educating both about issues of importance and how the
disabled community could be impacted. Organizing, advocating and
educating are major components of the program, and each takes a
step towards teaching self-advocacy and empowerment skills, as well
as giving elected officials opportunities to make informed decisions.
To these ends, the program works on issues at the Local, State and
Federal levels of government.

To get involved in any of these issues, please contact:
Richard Hernandez
(562) 427-1000 ext. 116
rhernandez@drcinc.org