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Developing Ready, Willing, and Able Partners
Emily ShryockThe University of Texas at Austin
Creating a disABILITY Advocate Program
1What is a disABILITY Advocate Program?Outreach program for students, faculty, and staff
Use of placards for program completionVisual reminder of Advocate pledgeIncrease recognition of programServe as a referral system
Three versions of training designed to meet different needs across campus
Emphasizes action and advocacy2disABILITY Advocate CurriculumLearning OutcomesHave knowledge of the prevalence of disability and disability categories (invisible disabilities)
Be aware of appropriate language use about disabilities
Understand the minority/cultural perspective of disability
Recognize stereotypes and challenge assumptions about people with disabilities
Identify barriers to people with disabilities and work to reduce these barriers on campus
3Why Do You Need a disABILITY Advocate Program?Involve campus offices and departments in efforts to enhance disability inclusion and accessibility
Improve campus culture for people with disabilities
Increase campus inclusion and accessibility
Reduce misunderstandings and frustrations for faculty, staff, and people with disabilities4Program Response I like the cards (placards). A coworker has the card posted in his office.
Since we have included a statement about accommodations on our flyers, we have seen an increase in accommodation requests which can only mean that persons with disabilities feel more accepted and therefore more inclined to attend our programs.
Our advisors are more empathetic and consider the invisible challenges our students might have.
The training taught me awareness. One week after the training I realized that our trash cans were blocking the accessible door entries. Now our facilities are more inviting to all!
Disability is a category of diversity and the advocate program shows our registered students that we are building advocates across campus and not just coordinating accommodations.
We have seen a decrease in calls from professors and have started to build rapport with professors when we started presenting the advocate program to academic departments.56Phase 1Create Branding/ Logo/PresenceDevelop recognition of programCreate meaning You are a disABILITY advocate Display with item of value (placard)
7Phase 1, contd.Curriculum DevelopmentIdentify Learning Outcomes
3 Versions: Foundation, 101, and Faculty
Include basic/general information on disabilities
Provide specific examples of how to apply knowledge to work interactions/role
Incorporate opportunity for interaction and discussion through case studies
Create evaluation form and follow-up survey to measure learning outcomes and gather feedback
8Phase 1, contd.Implementation
Marketing strategyStart with key partners on campus
Recruit participants from various departments and officesInfiltrate offices with Advocate placards to increase referrals
Implement Foundation as primary programdisABILITY 101 to create interest for Foundation Program
Offer open trainings for individuals and in-service trainings for offices/departments
Keep database of Advocates on campus
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Phase 2Implement faculty programTargeted marketing for facultyTrain facilitatorsReduces burden on staff and allows for more trainingsRefine/update programAs needed: review feedback/evaluation results, increase handouts and resources Develop student group Involve students in advocacy work: disABILITY Advocate Student Coalition Create website, email address, listserv
10Phase 3Create opportunity for academic credit2 semester commitment: 1 semester of learning material for program and 1 semester of facilitating trainings/presentations *Based on the Gender and Sexuality Centers Peers for Pride Program
Hire interns/GA to assist with disABILITY Advocate growth and development
11Are You Ready, Willing, and Able?Take some time to review the three phases of the disABILITY Advocate Program and consider how you could start establishing a similar program on your campus.12Questions or Comments?We hope you now feel ready, willing, and able to implement a disABILITY Advocate Program on your campus!
Contact:Emily [email protected] Services for Students with DisabilitiesThe University of Texas at Austin13
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