Put Your Best Foot Forward

Tips on contacting and building a relationship with your elected officials.

The following tips will go a long way in making your legislative advocacy efforts meet with success.

Understand the problem. It’s important to really understand what the problem is, not just what some of the symptoms are or what part of the problem is. Consider the problem from the viewpoint of all interested parties.

Think about possible solutions. Be as creative as possible. This is a good place to do brainstorming. Get a bunch of people together and have them throw out whatever ideas come to mind, regardless of how “impractical” they may seem at first.

Are there any precedents? Has someone in another community already achieved what you’re trying to accomplish in your community? Is there an applicable state law? For disability related issues, does the ADA address this, or Section 508 of the Disabilities Act, or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act?

Who should you speak to? The person you talk to is at least as important as what you say. Be sure the person you’re talking to has the authority to make the change you’re requesting, or at least knows who in the organization to talk to about it.

Be persistent, polite, and firm. Many people just give up when their initial request goes unanswered or is brushed off. In fact, that’s what most people do, and it just encourages organizations to ignore requests for change. Once you’ve made contact, don’t give up until you’ve achieved your goal!

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