take your legislator to work (nacdd 2013)
DESCRIPTION
This information was presented by Joshua Ryf at the 2013 NACDD Annual Conference. It was part of the session "Advancing Successful Partnerships with Business Leaders and Policymakers."TRANSCRIPT
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 [email protected].