From Wisconsin to Florida:

TAKE YOUR LEGISLATOR TO WORK!

Presentation by

Fil Clissa, Andrew Gerbitz & Joshua Ryf

FL SANDDecember 8, 2012

Question:Who has contacted their legislator?

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

The campaign is conducted by the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD).

Why conduct the campaign?Reason #1: Educate legislators

Why? Educate LegislatorsLegislators create laws and allocate funding that affects people with disabilities.We want legislators to know that individualized, community-integrated employment is a high priority and good for Wisconsin.

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

Why? Show EmployabilityGive individuals with disabilities the opportunity to show their skills and talents to their elected officials.

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

Why? Raise AwarenessWhen people with disabilities have community-integrated jobs, everyone benefits:• Stronger workforce• More inclusive community• People pay taxes and rely less on

programs and services

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

Why? Strengthen Disability AdvocacyPeople who participate in the campaign will have the confidence to voice their opinions to their legislators.Building relationships between legislators and people with disabilities can be beneficial to both parties.

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

*133 if you count the Governor

Where COULD the campaign happen?40 Senate districts + 120 Assembly districts = 160 possible visits*

*161 if you count the Governor

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

Who can be involved?People with disabilities who want to participate and show their legislator how everyone benefits when people with disabilities have community-integrated employment at a competitive wage.(Participants)

Who can be involved?People who know a person with a disability who might be a good candidate to participate.(Facilitators)

Who can be involved?Facilitators can include:• Family/friends of a participant• MCO staff• IRIS consultants• Employers• Job coach

Who can be involved?Employers of people with disabilities who provide community-integrated jobs at competitive wages.(Employers)

Did we miss anyone?

Legislators!

How does it work?For individuals with disabilities who are interested in participating, there are things to do both prior to and during the visit.

How? Prior to the VisitIndividuals with disabilities who are interested in participating…1. Get approval from their employer2. Complete the Participant Information

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

How? During to the VisitCampaign participants1. 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

2011 Campaign• 40 people with disabilities

participated• 28 legislators and the Governor

made visits

2012 Campaign• 50 people with disabilities have

participated or are scheduled to participate

• 40 legislators, the Governor, and DHS Sec. Smith have made visits or are scheduled to make visits

• Visits are still being scheduled

One of the 2011 participants was…

Andrew Gerbitz!

Andrew’s Visit

Andrew’s Visit – Video (TMJ4)

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

Questions for Andrew?

2012: High-Profile Visits

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/

How do YOU get involved?Anyone can take their legislator to work – you don’t even need a campaign.If you want to show your legislator the value of community-integrated employment, take YOUR legislator to work!

Steps to take to get involvedStep 1: Get help (if you need it)If you think you might need help to take your legislator to work, don’t be afraid to ask someone you know and trust to help you!

Steps to take to get involvedStep 2: Get approval from your employerTalk to your employer about inviting your legislator to visit you at work and make sure everybody – including your co-workers – are comfortable having a visit where you work.

Steps to take to get involvedStep 3: Invite your legislator to visit you• Figure out which one of your legislators

you want to invite to visit you. • Invite the legislator right away!

Legislators are busy and their schedules fill up quickly, so schedule the visit as soon as possible.

Steps to take to get involvedStep 4: Inform everybody of the visitLet your employer and co-workers know the details about the visit. Tell them the date and time of the visit, and also what you plan to show your legislator during the visit.

Steps to take to get involvedStep 5: During the visitWhile your legislator visits you at work, show them what you do, introduce them to your employer and co-workers, and talk about why working in the community is important to you.

Steps to take to get involvedStep 6: After the visit• After your visit, follow-up with your

legislator. You can thank them for visiting you and you can also remind them why working in the community is important for people with disabilities.

• Thank everyone who was involved!

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

Thank you for attending!