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Developing Ready, Willing, and Able Partners

Emily ShryockThe University of Texas at Austin

Creating a disABILITY Advocate Program

1What is a disABILITY Advocate Program?Outreach program for students, faculty, and staff

Use of placards for program completionVisual reminder of Advocate pledgeIncrease recognition of programServe as a referral system

Three versions of training designed to meet different needs across campus

Emphasizes action and advocacy2disABILITY Advocate CurriculumLearning OutcomesHave knowledge of the prevalence of disability and disability categories (invisible disabilities)

Be aware of appropriate language use about disabilities

Understand the minority/cultural perspective of disability

Recognize stereotypes and challenge assumptions about people with disabilities

Identify barriers to people with disabilities and work to reduce these barriers on campus

3Why Do You Need a disABILITY Advocate Program?Involve campus offices and departments in efforts to enhance disability inclusion and accessibility

Improve campus culture for people with disabilities

Increase campus inclusion and accessibility

Reduce misunderstandings and frustrations for faculty, staff, and people with disabilities4Program Response I like the cards (placards). A coworker has the card posted in his office.

Since we have included a statement about accommodations on our flyers, we have seen an increase in accommodation requests which can only mean that persons with disabilities feel more accepted and therefore more inclined to attend our programs.

Our advisors are more empathetic and consider the invisible challenges our students might have.

The training taught me awareness. One week after the training I realized that our trash cans were blocking the accessible door entries. Now our facilities are more inviting to all!

Disability is a category of diversity and the advocate program shows our registered students that we are building advocates across campus and not just coordinating accommodations.

We have seen a decrease in calls from professors and have started to build rapport with professors when we started presenting the advocate program to academic departments.56Phase 1Create Branding/ Logo/PresenceDevelop recognition of programCreate meaning You are a disABILITY advocate Display with item of value (placard)

7Phase 1, contd.Curriculum DevelopmentIdentify Learning Outcomes

3 Versions: Foundation, 101, and Faculty

Include basic/general information on disabilities

Provide specific examples of how to apply knowledge to work interactions/role

Incorporate opportunity for interaction and discussion through case studies

Create evaluation form and follow-up survey to measure learning outcomes and gather feedback

8Phase 1, contd.Implementation

Marketing strategyStart with key partners on campus

Recruit participants from various departments and officesInfiltrate offices with Advocate placards to increase referrals

Implement Foundation as primary programdisABILITY 101 to create interest for Foundation Program

Offer open trainings for individuals and in-service trainings for offices/departments

Keep database of Advocates on campus

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Phase 2Implement faculty programTargeted marketing for facultyTrain facilitatorsReduces burden on staff and allows for more trainingsRefine/update programAs needed: review feedback/evaluation results, increase handouts and resources Develop student group Involve students in advocacy work: disABILITY Advocate Student Coalition Create website, email address, listserv

10Phase 3Create opportunity for academic credit2 semester commitment: 1 semester of learning material for program and 1 semester of facilitating trainings/presentations *Based on the Gender and Sexuality Centers Peers for Pride Program

Hire interns/GA to assist with disABILITY Advocate growth and development

11Are You Ready, Willing, and Able?Take some time to review the three phases of the disABILITY Advocate Program and consider how you could start establishing a similar program on your campus.12Questions or Comments?We hope you now feel ready, willing, and able to implement a disABILITY Advocate Program on your campus!

Contact:Emily ShryockEmily.s@austin.utexas.edu Services for Students with DisabilitiesThe University of Texas at Austin13