take your legislator to work (nacdd 2013)

What is Take Your Legislator to Work?A campaign to raise awareness that every adult with a disability can participate in gainful employment and have a meaningful job in the community.

Why conduct the campaign?Reason #1: Educate legislators

Why conduct the campaign?Reason #2: Show employability of people with disabilities

Why conduct the campaign?Reason #3: Raise awareness about the importance of community-integrated jobs

Why conduct the campaign?Reason #4: Strengthen disability advocacy

Where does the campaign happen?33 Senate districts + 99 Assembly districts = 132 possible visits*

*133 if you count the Governor

When does the campaign happen?October, in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

Who is involved?• Participants• Facilitators• Employers and business community• Legislators

Before the visit, participants:1. Get approval from their employer2. Complete the Participant Information

Form3. Get approval from BPDD4. Invite their legislator to visit5. Plan the visit

During to the visit, participants:1. Give their legislator a tour2. Show them what they do3. Introduce them to co-workers and

employer4. Sit down with their legislator and

share their story

Andrew GerbitzBPDD Board Member

Down Syndrome Association of WI Board Member

Andrew’s Visit

Andrew’s Visit – Video (TMJ4)

http://www.todaystmj4.com/multimedia/videos/?bctid=1352689824001

Before the Campaign (Aug/Sep)• Recruit/find participants• Notify legislators• Reach out to employers and

chambers of commerce

What a visit looks like for BPDD:1. Campaign toolkit to participant2. Provide guidance as needed3. Media alert before visit4. Press release after visit5. Highlight visit on social media

2012 Highlights

Branding with T-Shirts

Jobs First! of Manitowoc County

DHS Sec. Smith

Patrick Young & Gov. Walker

Patrick Young & Gov. Walker

http://fox6now.com/2012/11/27/gov-walker-highlights-national-disability-employment-month/

For more information…Go to www.wi-bpdd.org, or contact Joshua Ryf at (608) 261-7829 or joshua.ryf@wisconsin.gov.