Overview

Each topic presented includes:

Competencies

Why This Topic Is Important
An overview of the issues involved.

Concept Highlights
A quick review of the important points to be covered.

Concepts
Ideas, suggestions, and points that will be covered in the session about the topic.

Vision for 2010
Some ideas about how the world should work and what it should look like.

Partners has allowed me to dream again...to dream about my son the way all parents dream about their children. Partners has showed me how I can change and must be a part of change in our society as we build a system that includes all people.

- Parent from Illinois

This booklet provides an overview of the topic areas that are the foundation for the Partners in Policymaking leadership training program. Each Partners coordinator will provide a set of readings and handouts for each session. Concept highlights are intended to be used with Partners who have difficulty reading.

Successful completion of the program will give Partners graduates these competencies:

Describe the history of services for, and perceptions of, people with developmental disabilities.
Describe significant contributions of the parents' movement.
Describe the history of the self advocacy and independent living movements.
Describe the benefits and values supporting inclusion and quality education for students with and without disabilities.
Outline specific strategies to achieve inclusion and quality education.
Demonstrate knowledge of the service coordination system and what services may be available.
Describe the importance of futures planning and self determination for people with developmental disabilities.
Understand the principles of choice and control of resources in futures planning.
Understand the reasons for and the importance of proper positioning techniques for people with disabilities.
Describe examples of state-of-the-art technologies for people with severe disabilities.
Describe the importance of supported, competitive employment opportunities.
Understand that a flexible, responsive system of supports for the families of children with disabilities is the corner stone for a true system of community supports for people with developmental disabilities.
Understand the need for all individuals to experience changes in lifestyle across the life span.
Know/understand the importance of home ownership/control as one of the defining characteristics of adult life in our culture.
Understand the basic principles and strategies being used to support people with developmental disabilities in their own homes across the life span.
Create a vision for the year 2010 (and beyond) for people with disabilities.
Understand how a bill becomes a law at the state and federal levels.
Identify critical federal issues and the process by which they can personally address their concerns.
Demonstrate successful techniques for advocating for services to meet the needs of unserved and underserved individuals.
Draft and deliver testimony for legislative hearings.
Learn how to meet a public official and discuss issues.
Identify strategies for beginning and sustaining grassroots level organizing.
Understand the role of when and how to use the media to effectively promote their issues.
Demonstrate proper procedures for conducting a meeting.
Gain a basic understanding of parliamentary procedure and serving on boards