Advocacy Resources
Click here to download the PDF – NDSC Advocacy Toolkit for Self-Advocates
Questions for Candidates on Education and Employment
Prior to 1971, public schools had no obligation to educate children with disabilities and many did not. The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (later renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act — IDEA) guarantees all children the right to a free and appropriate public education in the school they would otherwise attend if they did not have disabilities. The goal of education for all individuals is to prepare them for a meaningful career, economic self-sufficiency and a meaningful life in the community. Despite the fact that this law was passed more than 30 years ago, the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities remains at about 90 percent.
Questions for candidates
- Should schools provide the same opportunities (academic and non-academic) for students with disabilities as they do for non-disabled students?
- When parents disagree with schools and need to utilize due process procedures, do you think the burden of proof should be on the parents or the schools?
- Should parents be required to pay expert witness fees when they use an expert witness in a due process hearing?
- Do you think transition services (for ages 18-21) to prepare students with disabilities for jobs and other post-secondary opportunities should be real jobs in the community with people who are not disabled?
- Do you think the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act should be fully funded at the federal level as was promised when initially passed?
- Do you think that all people with disabilities should have the opportunity to work at a real job with competitive wages?
- What would you do to increase work opportunities for people with disabilities?
Questions for Candidates on Community Living Services
The federal/state Medicaid program funds most adult services such as housing, transportation and support staff who provide assistance to individuals with disabilities with the activities of daily living. It also provides services to some children with disabilities. It is a funding stream that is biased towards costlier institutional care and under siege at the federal and state levels.
If you want those safety net services to be in place when your child grows up — or to remain in place if your family member with Down syndrome now uses them — then you need to know where candidates stand on funding adult services.
Question for Candidates
- What would you do to ensure that federal and state budget shortfalls do not harm programs and support services for individuals with disabilities to live in their community?
- What do you see as the role of the federal government in disability policy?
- What do you think of the trend to limit the role of the federal government in disability policy?
- What do you see as the role of disability advocates as states move to managed care systems to deliver Medicaid (community-based support services) to adults with disabilities?
- What would you do to ensure that federal and state budget shortfalls do not harm programs for individuals with disabilities?
This list is not exhaustive – feel free to develop your own questions. You can always ask a follow-up question.
First Circuit FAPE Amicus Brief
NDSC Comments – Public Charge Rule
NDSC-Response-to-SSA-RFI-02-01-2018
Questions for Nominee for OESE Assistant Secretary
Amendment Support Ltr 12 11 17 FINAL
Assistant Secretary Confirmation questions
NDSC Comments on Secretarys Proposed Priorities Final
State-defined.Alternate.Diploma.Tips.for.Advocates
TX_ESSA_Comments_final_06112017
RM Former Officials et al amicus brief – as filed 10 30 17
Summary of OSERS stakeholder call 10-24-17
2017-10-05 Endrew – Amicus (as filed)
NDSC testimony for Graham-Cassidy FINAL 9.24.17
LRP NY off grade testing 9_17 article and LRP Advocate respond NY off grade request article 9_17
NDSC comments on NY ESSA waiver request 9-5-17
Statement for House ESSA Hearing
ESSA State Plan Review Guide & Advocacy Tips – June 2017 (by NDSC and The Advocacy Institute)
Part B SPP-APR Comments Statement
Analysis of Draft ESSA State Plans (by NDSC and The Advocacy Institute)
Click here to get the most updated plans for each state
U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION CONFIRMATION HEARING: Suggested Questions Submitted To Senate Committee
NDSC Response to Innovative Assessment Regulations
ESSA State Plan Advocacy Guide
Sample Comments on State ESSA Plan
NDSC Response to Academic Assessment Proposed Regs
ESSA General Public Comment Talking Points – Updated 8-18-16
Summary of NDSC comments on Proposed Accountability Regulations
NDSC Comments on Proposed Accountability Regulations
Topics for Non-Regulatory ESSA Guidance 5-17-16
Negotiated Rulemaking Summary 5-16-16
A General Public Comment Talking Points
Four Advocacy Tips For ESSA Implementation 2.11.16
Top 5 Things to Know about ESSA for IEP Meetings
NDSC Comments on ESSA Regulations
Elementary and Secondary Education Act Summary 2001-2014
Chairman Alexander’s ESEA Discussion Draft- Summary of NDSC Recommendations
NDSC comments on Chairman Alexander’s Discussion Draft
ESEA Letter to Chairman Kline on Student Success Act 2-10-15
Early Childhood Inclusion Policy Statement-NDSC comments
Family-Engagement-Comments-12.31.15
Post-Election Analysis (Jan 24, 2017)
Slides – NDSC Post Election Analysis
Recording – click here to sign in
ESSA 3-Part Series ~ What You Can Do to Impact Implementation
Presented by NDSC, NDSS & DSAIA
Jan 12, Part I – recording
Jan 19, Part II – recording
Jan 26, Part III – recording
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
What YOU Can Do to Impact ESSA Implementation
Presented by Ricki Sabia, NDSC Senior Education Policy Advisor and Heather Sachs, NDSS Vice President of Advocacy & Public Policy on October 25, 2016
Slides – joint-ndsc-ndss-essa-overview-webinar-final
Webinar video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8C5f93A9_Y&feature=youtu.be
Strategies for Successful Public Policy Advocacy
Powerpoint – NDSC policy webinar 2015