PARTNERS IN POLICY-MAKING - THE 1ST 5 YEARS

Many individuals with disabilities and their families are becoming empowered by learning effective self-advocacy strategies. In this article one empowerment and self-advocacy training program, Partners in Policymaking, for parents of young children and adults with disabilities was described. Initially developed in Minnesota, the Partners program has completed its fifth year, has 163 graduates, and is being replicated in several other states. Follow-up data, qualitative and quantitative, were collected from program graduates. Results indicated both satisfaction with the program and the presence of many active citizen-advocates in the community.