Advocacy in Action
A Toolkit for the Rolling Revolution
United Spinal Association wants to make it easy for you to get involved and use your voice for change. Every advocate plays an important role in communicating what members of the spinal cord injury and paralysis community need to be successful. Across the country, people are sharing their stories and working to educate their lawmakers about the issues that affect them most. Your life experience and a passion for change can make a difference.
This guide will give you tips and tools to help you understand what advocacy is and how to become an effective advocate in your community. Being an advocate is an important step to ensuring that you and those around you have equal access and opportunity. Downloads are available for each section separately under Table of Contents below or you can download the guide in its entirety:
opens in a new windowADVOCACY IN ACTION TOOLKITopens PDF file
Table of Contents
1. About Us: United Spinal Association
- Our Mission
- Who is United Spinal?
- VetsFirst
- Roll on Capitol Hill
opens in a new windowDownload About Us Sectionopens PDF file
3. Know Your Rights: Key Legislation
- Americans With Disabilities Act
- Affordable Care Act
- Air Carrier Access Act
- Advocates in Action: Sky-High Standards
- Fair Housing Act and Fair Housing Amendments Act
- The Rehabilitation Act
- Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act
- Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
5. Political Engagement
- Communicating With Elected Officials
- In-person Visits
- Telephone Calls
- E-mailing Congress
- Town Hall Meetings
- Speaking Up At Town Hall Meetings
7. Effective Personal Storytelling
- Sharing Your Story
- Story Development Questions
- Messages That Inspire Action
- Advocates in Action: Reforming Rehabilitation
Download Effective Personal Storytelling Sectionopens PDF file
9. Assembling Coalition
- Utilizing Coalitions
- Organizing a Coalition
- Advocates in Action: Community Rollers
11. Additional Resources
- Resources and Contact Information
2. Defining Advocacy
- What is Advocacy?
- Grassroots Advocacy vs. Lobbying
- District Mobilization
- Advocates in Action: Growing Grassroots
opens in a new windowDownload Defining Advocacy Sectionopens PDF file
4. The Legislative Process
- Legislation vs. Regulation
- Local, State, & Federal Offices
- How the U.S. Congress Works
- How a Bill Becomes a Law
- Why Federal Politics Matter
- How State Legislatures Work
- Why State Politics Matter
- Finding Your Place In Politics
- Advocates in Action: Getting Political
opens in a new windowDownload The Legislative Process Sectionopens PDF file
6. The Virtual World
- Social Media
- Social Media Dos and Don’ts
- Social Media Best Practices
- Develop a Game Plan
- Avenues of the Virtual World
- Virtual Advocacy
- Advocates in Action: Rallying Online
opens in a new windowDownload The Virtual World Sectionopens PDF file
8. Initiative Creation
- What Is an Initiative?
- Strategizing an Initiative
- Initiative SMART Objectives
- Initiative Development Steps
- Crafting an Issue Summary
- Advocates in Action: Ride Across America
opens in a new windowDownload Initiative Creation Sectionopens PDF file
10. Planning Advocacy Events
- “Roll” Event Planning Basics
opens in a new windowDownload Planning Advocacy Events Sectionopens PDF file