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Partners in Policymaking™

Group photo of the 2012 Partners in Policymaking class outside the Capitol

Partners in Policymaking is a free leadership and advocacy training program for adults with disabilities and family members of persons with disabilities.

 

Selected Partners will learn about:

  • - the State and Federal legislative processes
  • - inclusive communities and classrooms
  • - proven practices in housing and employment
  • - assistive technology
  • - strategies for advocates and self-advocates

 

For an application, click here to download. For more information, contact Ned Andrew Solomon at: ned.solomon@tn.gov or by phone at 615.532.6556.

 

WHAT IS PARTNERS?

 

The Partners in Policymaking Leadership Institute is a leadership, advocacy and self-advocacy training program for adults with disabilities and family members of persons with disabilities from across the state, sponsored by the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities.

 

3 women from 2012 Partners in Policymaking class sitting at tablesWHAT WILL THE SELECTED PARTNERS PARTICIPANTS DO?

 

Attend information sessions by local and national experts in the disability field on a variety of disability-related topics, including employment, building inclusive communities and classrooms, the state and federal legislative processes, supported and independent living, assistive technology, strategies for advocates and conducting effective meetings.

Partners will also:

  • complete and report on homework assignments
  • compose and present testimony for or against a legislative bill   
  • tour the State Capitol, and meet with a legislator
  • have numerous opportunities to network with other individuals with disabilities and family members
  • attend the Partners Annual Reunion Conference with representatives from 18 years of Partners in Policymaking in Tennessee

WHEN WILL THE 2013-14 PARTNERS TRAINING TAKE PLACE?

 

September, October and November, 2013, and January, February, March and April, 2014. Most Partners training weekends begin at 12 pm on Friday, and continue until 3 pm on Saturday. Accepted Partners must agree to attend all seven sessions.

 

WHERE WILL IT TAKE PLACE?

 

At a hotel in Middle Tennessee.

 

2 members, John and Pam, Partners in Policymaking 2012WHAT DOES IT COST?

 

There is no cost for the training, sleeping rooms or meals on-site during the Partners weekend sessions. Partners will be reimbursed for mileage to and from the Partners session approximately two weeks after each weekend training.

 

WHO CAN ATTEND?

 

Adults with disabilities and family members of persons with disabilities.  Although each case is reviewed individually, it is not typical for a family member of a person with a disability to participate in the same Partners training year as the family member who has the disability.

 

HOW MANY PARTNERS PARTICIPANTS WILL BE SELECTED?

 

Thirty. An effort will be made to select a diverse group, based on type of disability, ethnicity, gender, age of person with a disability or family member, and geographical location of the applicants.

 

HOW DOES ONE APPLY?

 

By completing a two-page application, which can be accessed by clicking here to download a form, or by contacting Partners Director Ned Andrew Solomon at 615.532.6556, or by e-mail at ned.solomon@tn.gov .

 

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING?

 

All applications must be postmarked by April 30, 2013.

For any other information about Partners, please contact Ned Andrew Solomon at 615.532.6556, or by e-mail at ned.solomon@tn.gov.

Youth Leadership Forum and other Youth Activities

ylfgirls2011

The Tennessee Youth Leadership Forum is a free leadership training program for high school students with disabilities.

 

For more information about YLF and other self-advocacy training opportunities for youth, contact Ned Andrew Solomon at: ned.solomon@tn.gov or by phone at 615.532.6556.