Partners in Policymaking: Empowering People

Abstract

Advocacy for people with disabilities and their families has evolved from the provision of public protective services to private and independent advocacy service groups, and finally to self-advocacy. This article describes one empowerment and self-advocacy training program for parents of young children and individuals with disabilities. An overview of the Partners in Policymaking program and the participants is provided along with Year 1 outcomes. The benefits of self-advocacy and the need for additional training programs are stressed.