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Originally aired on KABF 88.3 FM on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.
The Arkansas Alliance for Disability Advocacy is a new program of Disability Rights Arkansas, aimed at increasing disability visibility in public policy. The Alliance educates and empowers disability advocates, increases community awareness and support of
disability-related issues, and fosters collaboration between advocacy programs to give self-advocates,
peer advocates, parent advocates, and legislative leaders the tools they need to be active and effective
within the disability advocacy movement.
On this episode of Speak Up Arkansas, host Kerri Michael speaks to Alliance Director Ally Thomlinson, along with Self-Advocate Network Development coordinator Michael Thornton and Ashley Simmons, a parent advocate and mom of two young boys.
Topics include: How to get involved in public policy as a self-advocate, what makes a successful self-advocate, the importance of being able to make your own decisions, why it's important to make sure policymakers understand what people with disabilities actually deal with, and more!
SHOW NOTES
The Arkansas Alliance for Disability Advocacy provides oversight, administrative support, and technical assistance to
three existing advocacy groups:
-Self-Advocates Network Development (SAND), which provides advocacy
training and leadership development to people with disabilities across Arkansas;
-Community of
Champions, which educates high school and college students and faculty on the need for disability
advocacy and how to be active in advocacy activities; and
-Partners in Policymaking, which educates
participants on effective ways to develop relationships with elected officials in order to directly influence
public policy impacting people with disabilities.
The Alliance is funded through a grant from the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities.
To get involved, visit DisabilityRightsAR.org/AADA or call (501) 804-8258.
