Develop Leadership & Advocacy Skills
Council meetings and committees
The Council meets every other month, as does most of the Council’s committees. Council members develop the Council’s Five Year Plan, policy statements and guidance on public policy issues. More than 60% of the Council’s membership is advocates with developmental disabilities and family representatives. As a general rule, the Chair and/or Vice Chair leadership positions are filled by family members and self advocates.
Self Advocates as Leaders (SAAL)
The Council, along with Seniors & People with Disabilities, provides financial support and training dollars to Self Advocates as Leaders through a contract with the Regional Research Institute at Portland State University. SAAL is a statewide organization dedicated to leadership development and systems change through self-advocate involvement in public policy. SAAL provides technical assistance to local self-advocacy organizations and conducts numerous trainings throughout Oregon on topics such as self-determination and consumer empowerment. SAAL members participate on numerous coalitions and committees dealing with all areas of disability policy, as well as on governing boards of many disability organizations.
Want to know more about SAAL or get involved?
Write to SAAL at 3886 Beverly Ave NE, Salem, OR 97301.
Call SAAL at 503-589-1664 (Salem) or 866-835-0659 (Portland) or 888-589-1664 (toll free).
Visit the SAAL webpage at http://www.asksaal.org.
Partners In Policymaking
The Council works through a contractor to conduct an intensive training course for advocates with developmental disabilities and their families every two years. Family members and self-advocates participate in eight monthly two-day trainings in Salem. Partners gain information and skills so they can become more effective advocates and change-agents in their own communities and statewide.
Want an application for future PIP classes?
Consumer Involvement Fund (CIF)
The Council’s Consumer Involvement Fund provides stipends for self-advocates and family members to attend in-state and out-of-state conferences and trainings. The Council’s CIF Committee manages the fund. Besides individuals, conference organizers can also apply and receive funds so they can offer stipends to their events.
Want to apply for funding?
Read the requirements and download an application
The Oregon Network and the GO! Project
The Council maintains a strong and growing grassroots network of thousands of people with disabilities, family members, advocates, service providers and other interested Oregonians. Network members receive Council publications and become members of the GO! Project (Grassroots Oregon) of the Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition. The GO! Project allows advocates to easily respond to GO! alerts and communicate their concerns to policy makers at the state and national levels. The coalition website includes GO! Project fact sheets and other information for advocates. The GO! Bulletin provides timely information about current issues and resources. The GO! Project also organizes advocacy trainings in Salem and around the state.
Want to join The Oregon Network, receive GO! Bulletins and get involved?
Log on to http://www.oregonnetwork.org or call the Council for a copy of The Oregon Network sign-up form. Visit the Oregon DD Coalition at http://www.oregonddcoalition.org
