8.2: More Than a Celebratory Day, Week, or Month
- Page ID
- 228286
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Image Source. lftarn. World Down Syndrome Day Badge. OpenClipArt.
Fig. 8.2. Clipart. World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, Badge.
Awareness Celebrations
We often hear about advocacy efforts during certain times of the year such as Autism Awareness Month in April, Disability Awareness Month in March and specifically, World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st, but promoting advocacy for important issues also means taking taking action all year round.
Advocacy Defined
- Advocacy is acting with or on behalf of an individual or group to resolve an issue, obtain a needed support or service, or promote a change in the practices, policies, or behaviors of government agencies, businesses, and others. Advocacy is essential for promoting and protecting the civil and human rights. - The ARC
Caregiver advocacy is described as a set of behaviors
- obtaining support or services for the child,
- being a voice for a child,
- creating opportunities,
- facilitating change and
- educating the community about the child's needs.
Active engagement in advocacy, including for service development, is valued by caregivers as a constructive way to respond to the difficulties they face on a daily basis.
Changes to laws over the last half century were the results of individuals and their families lobbying politicians to ensure legal equitable treatment of people with all forms of disabilities. Prior to the mid-20th century children with disabilities were often placed in institutions, but it was the advocacy of families who wanted their children to lead fulfilling lives in the community that began the efforts by families, local volunteer groups, national professional organizations and their state and local chapters that led to increased research and the passage of state and federal legislation on behalf of people with disabilities
As a result of the dedicated efforts by families and caregivers, professional organizations and local groups, educators, researchers, and health workers the network of support for families of children with disabilities as expanded.
Learn about the federal and state laws that have been passed as a result of dedicated advocacy. Check local government and the departments of health and/or education in each state to learn more about their resources and services for children with disabilities.
- United States Government (ChiidCare.gov)
- Services for Children with Disabilities evolved because of the IDEA Act
- State of Wisconsin:
Sources
- Szlamka, Zsofia, et al. The role of advocacy and empowerment in shaping service development for families raising children with developmental disabilities. National Library of Medicine. May 29, 2022.
- The ARC. "History." Copyright © 2023 by The Arc, a 501(c)(3) organization.