Advocacy
RTFCIL provides individual and group advocacy training and outreach. Individualized advocacy for those living with disabilities who are struggling with an issue that may benefit by working with staff educated in disability regulations. Our services are also tailored to meet the needs of a business, government, and individuals at local, regional, and national levels.
Mid-Atlantic ADA Network: provides information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
ADA topics: reasonable accommodation & fair housing.
Individual Advocacy is done by teaching an individual living with a disability self-advocating skills. This begins with identifying or assessing a person’s self-awareness, knowledge of personal rights, and communication abilities. Staff will work with others to gain self-advocacy skills by learning how to communicate and negotiate with other service providers, employers, or others in order to obtain needed services, benefits, or accommodations.
Group Advocacy is done by encouraging a group of people with similar interests and concerns to advocate for a common cause to elicit change. This could be to change something within their community or to work together to create awareness of a barrier so that barriers can be removed.
Systems Advocacy is done when both staff and consumers advocate together to promote positive changes on the local, state, and federal levels. Systems advocacy focuses on making or changing public policies that will help individuals living with disabilities and to ensure their full inclusion within their communities.
I am free now to go where I want, when I want, and to worship as I feel. All of my needs have been met; are continuing to be met and I finally have the freedom and independence to live by my own morals and ethics”