PARTNERS SCHEDULE FOR 2008

ONLINE APPLICATION FORM FOR PARTNERS 2009

At AADD, we believe that people with disabilities deserve the dignity of vital relationships and real choices about their own lives. We believe people with disabilities must be able to enjoy the benefits of the productivity of work, homes of their choice, and mobility and access to community life.

An underlying tenet of that philosophy is empowerment: providing the education and resources to enable individuals with developmental disabilities to establish a voice of their own and to use it. AADD's Partners in Policymaking program was established with exactly that vision in mind. It's a comprehensive educational program that provides self-advocates and parents the tools to become better advocates for their families and for all individuals with disabilities in Georgia.
For the past 13 years, Partners in Policymaking has produced hundreds of graduates across the state who have strengthened the voices of individuals living with developmental disabilities. The nine-month program is specially designed for both self-advocates, parents and relatives of those with developmental disabilities.

The goal is simple: to establish and maintain productive partnerships between people needing and using services and those who make public policy and laws. To accomplish that objective, the program works to educate its participants about current issues and best practices and familiarize them with policymaking and the legislative processes at the local, state and federal levels. Participants also learn what they can do to act as a catalyst for change. Upon graduation, participants use their new skills to work to obtain state-of-the-art services for themselves and others.

Partners in Policymaking was created in 1987 by two experts in developmental disability issues: Colleen Wieck, Ph.D., Director of the Minnesota Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Ed Skarnulis, Ph.D., of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Drs. Wieck and Skarnulius designed the program's model to be flexible and responsive to paradigm shifts in the disability field. In addition, the program provides state-of-the-art training from leaders in the field, enabling Partners learn to histories, philosophies, and concrete strategies for creating systemic change in disability areas.

For application information, contact:
Rita Young at 404-881-9777 ext 220
rita@aadd.org

On-Line Application Form
for Partners in Policymaking 2007-2008

Action Alerts
There are times when your help is needed to help make a difference: with a phone call, an email or participation at a meeting or a forum. Action Alerts are periodic updates regarding meetings, forums, developing legislation and a variety of other issues and topics that affect individuals and families with developmental disabilities. Through these alerts, we will let you know how you can make a difference.
Sign up for Action Alerts here, and see how your participation can make a positive impact on those with developmental disabilities.

click here to visit the official partners in policymaking web site