Advocacy Committee
The Advocacy Committee’s mission is to work on regional, national, and international stages to address the three-fold goals of social justice, disability advocacy and inclusion, and professional advocacy for rehabilitation psychologists in their various roles (clinical, research, educators, and others).
Our current activities include:
Addressing advocacy issues for persons with chronic illness/disability and rehabilitation psychology
Hosting webinars related to advocacy skill building and policy for rehabilitation providers
Partnering with disability organizations
How to Join:
Division 22 members are welcome on this committee. Please send an email indicating your interest to the Advocacy Committee chairperson, Dr. Meade.
CHAIR
Samantha Stern, PhD
Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center
Past CHAIR
Michelle A. Meade, PhD
University of Michigan Collaboratory for Disability Health
EC Liaison
Catherine Wilson, PsyD
Members
Ted Allaire, MS
Anna Derbaly
Caitlyn Arutiunov, PsyD
Jennifer Jutte, PhD
Nancy Merbitz, PhD
Aaron Parker, PsyD
Mayra Sánchez González
Advocacy resources and organizations for persons with chronic illness/disability and caregivers
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD): https://www.aapd.com/
Advocacy organization for Americans with disabilities that has a number of advocacy initiatives.
National Organization on Disability: https://www.nod.org/
The mission of the National Organization on Disability (NOD) is to increase employment opportunities for Americans with disabilities and they have a number of helpful resources.
Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities: http://www.c-c-d.org/
The CCD is the largest coalition of national organizations to advocate for federal public policy for children and adults with disabilities.
National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC): https://naric.com/?q=en/node/51
Toll Free: 800-346-2742
The NARIC has a page of multiple legal and advocacy resources for individuals with disabilities.
The National Respite Coalition: https://archrespite.org/national-respite-coalition
The National Respite Coalition is the policy division of the ARCH National Respite Network with the goal to assist and promote quality respite and crisis care programs in the US.
The National Alliance for Caregiving: https://www.caregiving.org/advocacy/
The NAC is an advocacy organization geared towards helping family caregivers.
Americans with Disabilities Act National Network: https://adata.org/national-network#map
Toll Free: 800-949-4232
The ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on how to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Disability Rights Advocates: https://dralegal.org/
The DRA is a non-profit corporation focused on disability rights in a legal context.
American Bar Association – Commission on Disability Rights: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/disabilityrights/
Phone number: 202-662-1000
The Commission works to promote the ABA’s commitment to justice and the rule of law for people with mental, physical, and sensory disabilities, and to promote their full and equal participation in the legal profession.
Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/index.html
Toll Free: 800-368-1019
The HHS Office of Civil Rights has helpful information for individuals and providers, as well as how to file civil rights complaints.
National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): https://www.ndrn.org/
The NDRN advocates for laws protecting the civil and human rights of people with disabilities.
The Arc (advocacy organization for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities: https://thearc.org/get-involved/self-advocacy/
National Center on Disability and Journalism (NCDJ): https://ncdj.org/resources/organizations/
The NCDJ has an extensive list of helpful advocacy resources for persons with disabilities.
Advocacy Resources for Psychologists and Mental Health Professionals
Tips for being an advocate for psychology: https://www.apa.org/advocacy/guide
This content provides helpful didactic information for psychologists on how to be a good advocate.
American Psychological Association (APA) Advocacy Toolkit: http://advocacy.apascience.org/how-to-advocate
The advocacy toolkit contains helpful resources on how to be an advocate.
Legislative issues and advocacy training tools for students are available through the American Psychological Association (APA) at: https://www.apa.org/apags/resources/advocacy/toolkit
This toolkit provides information about current advocacy initiatives and legislative issues and training tools for psychologists.
A list of general advocacy resources is available through the American Psychological Association (APA) at: https://www.apa.org/pi/about/publications/caregivers/advocacy/resources
This links to a list of helpful advocacy resources for patients and providers.
Relevant APA Offices
American Psychological Association (APA) office on aging: https://www.apa.org/pi/aging
American Psychological Association (APA) office on disability issues in psychology: https://www.apa.org/pi/disability
American Psychological Association (APA) office on health disparities: https://www.apa.org/pi/health-disparities
American Psychological Association (APA) office on sexual orientation and gender diversity: https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt
American Psychological Association (APA) office of ethnic minority affairs: https://www.apa.org/pi/oema