Building The Next Generation of Leaders
Partners in Policymaking is a national leadership training program for people with developmental disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities. It provides the most current knowledge about disability issues and develops the competencies necessary for effective advocacy to influence public policy at all levels of government.
Productive Partnerships
The goal of Partners in Policymaking is to achieve productive partnerships between people needing and using services and those who make public policy. It is designed to provide knowledge and skills building so that participants may work to obtain state of the art services for themselves and others.
Partners in Policymaking also educates participants about current issues and best practices and familiarizes them with policymaking and the legislative processes at the local, state and federal levels. Individual sessions are devoted to specific topics presented by nationally known experts in their fields.
6 Training sessions that could change your life!
For people with developmental disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities. Partners offers six weekend sessions over a six-month period for leadership development.
Visit the National Partners in Policymaking Site
2023 Partners in Policymaking Dates & Topics:
The Council will start recruiting for the 2023 class soon. The deadline to apply will be September 30, 2022. The dates for the 2023 class are as follows:
Session 1: January 12-14, 2023
Session 2: February 10-11, 2023
Session 3: March 3-4, 2023
Session 4: March 31-April 1, 2023
Session 5: May 5-6, 2023
Session 6: June 2-3, 2023
Some of the topics include: History, Philosophy & Values, Assistive Technology, Inclusive Education, The Legislative Process, Supported Employment, Supported Living, Community Building, Community Organizing, and Systems Change Advocacy.
What Our Graduates Say
“Partners gave me the knowledge necessary to bring about systems change. Partners also gave me the confidence to be active in advocacy.”
“Partners has taught me to use my voice and follow through with advocating for others and myself.”
“It gave me a chance to gain networking skills and resources.”
“I think it will help accomplish the goals I have for my daughter and others.”
“I feel empowered.”
“I feel I am now able to advocate for myself and others with disabilities.”
“Giving me the self-confidence I needed to be a better, stronger voice for not only my son but others in the disability community.”
“I know how to speak for my child as an advocate so that she will know how to when she is old enough.”
“I have come to understand that systems change is actually possible and I can make a difference.”
“It will help me deal with issues with my son through education and later on in his life.”
“It has far exceeded anything I ever expected!”
“The sessions were great! They helped me to become an advocate for others and had a profound effect on me as a person.”
“Valuable, practical information presented.”
“Partners has shown me how to be more active, more effective and more involved.”
“Loads of information and support are greatly appreciated.”
“Gives parents and people with disabilities a chance to meet others in different situations, to interact together for a common goal.”