Legislative and Self-Advocacy Awareness
LOCATION
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Fingerprint/background clearance is required.Fingerprinting (Level One) and drug testing are required and cost will be covered by the non-profit agency. Processing for drug screens is typically completed with 48 hours of screen. Processing for fingerprinting typically takes 6-8 weeks and participants are able to volunteer while awaiting processing.
SCHEDULE OPTIONS
Semester availability
FallSpring
Service hours
MorningAfternoon
Available days/hours
Hours are flexible. TCH's Administration hours are Monday - Friday from 8am-4pm.
Some limited evening hours would be required for Family Leadership Council meetings once per month.
REQUIRED/DESIRED SKILLS
Knowledge of disability advocacy issues.
Familiarity with the legislative process.
Comfortable working with people with disabilities and their families.
Ability to assess with TCH management needs of people with disabilities and their families in communicating with legislators.
Task oriented.
Good communication skills.
CATEGORIES
AdultsDisabilities
Government
COMMUNITY PARTNER
The Centers for Habilitation (TCH)
ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP
Duties
Work with family members and self-advocates to facilitate relationships with congressional and legislative representatives.
Contact legislators to set up visits for families and self-advocates.
Attend visits with legislative and congressional representatives.
Assist in trainings for family members and self-advocates to improve their abilities to connect with legislators and tell a compelling story to advocate for the needs of people with disabilities.
Assist with Family Leadership Council and Self-Advocacy Council meetings.
Population served
The Centers for Habilitation serves adults with disabilities within the community whose diagnosis of disability include one or more of the following; Developmental Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities, MMR, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Down's Syndrome, Angelman's Syndrome, Turrets Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, etc.
Community need/impact
The Family Leadership and Self Advocacy Councils at TCH have recently become involved in advocacy efforts to transmit the need for greater financial support of TCH programs from the state and federal governments. These parents and people with disability require support in increasing these efforts.
Assisting with advocacy for people with disabilities and their families would increase their awareness of public issues, empower them to speak for themselves and educate legislators on the needs of people with disabilities in the community. These efforts to help people in the disability community find their voice also comprehensively work towards educating the general public and overcoming stigmas that have historically existed in our culture.
