Partners in Policymaking
Note: The start date of the next Partners in Policymaking class has not been determined and therefore applications are not currently being accepted.
Every other year the Partners in Policymaking Academy offers eight weekends of intensive training to a new class of 35 people with disabilities and family members. Partners is designed to educate participants to be active partners with those who make policy. Partners curriculum utilizes national and state presenters and promotes the values of integration/ inclusion. Partners believe that all people with disabilities should be respected and contributing members of their communities.
Class begins in October of even numbered years and runs for eight months ending with graduation in May. The next Partners class will be held in 2012.
Do you want to make a difference?
- Are you a parent of a child with a disability or a person with a disability?
- Would you like to see a barrier-free society where everyone is a valued member of their community?
- Are you interested in promoting change within your community? Within the state?
If you answered yes to these questions, you might be interested in becoming one of a growing number of more than 500 Hoosiers who are graduates of Indiana’s Partners in Policymaking Academy
The Partners in Policymaking Academy is a leadership training program for adults with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities. The program teaches leadership skills and techniques to develop positive partnerships with elected officials, school personnel and other individuals who make policy decisions about services that you and/or your family use.
In monthly sessions, you will have the opportunity to practice new skills in a comfortable and safe environment, build a network of people from diverse cultural backgrounds and life experiences, and learn from national experts.
Partners in Policymaking is about systems change –creating, working toward and achieving a vision of shared values about people with disabilities. This program is based on the belief that the most effective and enduring public policy decisions are made by the people who need and use services in partnership with policymakers.
It’s about becoming confident in yourself, competent in the knowledge and information you’ll receive, and comfortable in sharing the life experiences and expertise you bring to the program.
The Academy is presented every other year by the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities.
What will I learn?
In general, session topics may include:
- History: independent living, parent movement, people first/self-advocates movement
- Education: IDEA, understanding special education, best practices in inclusive education
- State and local policy: services and legislative issues, preparing and giving testimony
- Best practices: supported living, person-centered planning, family supports, employment and assistive technology
- Federal policy and legislative issues: Americans with Disabilities Act, federal disability laws, effective communication with policymakers
- Community organizing: working with community groups, media relations, negotiating, creating change to impact society
Program Outline
Partners in Policymaking is a commitment to:
- Attend eight monthly sessions in the Indianapolis area. Generally, sessions run every other year from October through May with each one taking place Friday from noon until 8:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
- Sign an agreement to attend all sessions and complete homework assignments, including a personal community project.
Partners in Policymaking is based on a program developed by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. Partners are widely recognized throughout the United States and overseas. The program is open to a limited number of people. Every other year, 35 Hoosiers with disabilities and family members are selected to participate in this Academy. If selected, hotel, travel, childcare and other related expenses are covered by the program.
Academy graduates agree that the commitment is well worth the life changes that result from the training program. If you are someone who can make this level of commitment, we invite you to apply to be a member of the next class by contacting the Council’s office for an application form:
Application and Additional Information
Click on the links below for more details about the program or to apply:
Partners Application: PDF | MS Word | Online Form
This application is an Adobe interactive PDF, an electronic form that allows you to complete the form and submit the data via email.
Partners Brochure: PDF
Partner Fact Sheet: MS Word
National Partner's In Policymaking website
Partners Flyer: MS Word
Partners Flyer with Contact Info: MS Word
If you need more information, an article for a newsletter, a fact sheet or brochure to distribute, call Partners in Policymaking at 317-232-7770 or e-mail PIP@gpcpd.org
