Independent Living Research

Information Reviewed:	Advocacy: Living Well in the Community
Author(s):	C. Ravesloot, Q.R. Young, K. Norris, A. Szalda-Petree, T. Seekins, G. White, C. Lopez, and K. Golden
Source:	Living Well With a Disability: A Workbook for Promoting Health and Wellness. Lawrence, KS: The University of Kansas, The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Independent Living
Date:	1996
Type:	Chapter
Overview:	Personal change is one way to approach a problem. However, often the problem is larger than one person and is a systems problem. Systems advocacy can address systems problems, such as accessible transportation or buildings. System advocacy has power in numbers. People working together have more immediate credibility and can get information out quicker. Also, more than one person benefits when a systems problem is solved. Problem identification, solution generation, decision making, putting into place a plan, and evaluation can be used to solve systems problems. When looking at your community, think about its strengths. Some of these strengths may need to be protected. What about problems in the community that are obstacles to managing one's health and independence? Pick one issue and gather information on the problem. What seems to be the problem? Whom is affected by the problem? How are they affected? What would happen if things were left as they are? What would happen if someone solved the problem? If the group has enough information about the topic and feels the topic is important enough to continue working on, identify what has been done in the past and currently about the problem and those involved. Next, determine the problem causes and discuss possible solutions. Each solution has good points and drawbacks. When it comes time to pick a solution, the final solution may be a compromise or a new solution. Once the best solution is chosen, check with the group for agreement. If everyone agrees, then the advocacy can begin in earnest. If no one can agree on a solution, repeat these steps. For more information, contact the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Independent Living, University of Kansas, 4089 Dole, Lawrence, KS 66045, (785) 864-4095, RTC Web site This research was supported by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research in the U. S. Department of Education. #202 Ravesloot, C., Young, Q.-R., Norris, K., Szalda-Petree, A., Seekins, T., White, G., Lopez, C., & Golden, K. (1996). Advocacy: Living well in the community. In Living well with a disability: A workbook for promoting health and wellness. Lawrence, KS: The University of Kansas, The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Independent Living. Keyword: Advocacy Copyright. The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Independent Living.
Reviewer:	Cindy Higgins