Advocacy

Advocacy Opportunities:

SPARC

SPARC (Self-Promotion Advocacy Resource Community) is a group of over sixty active members whose mission it is to promote independence, choice and civic engagement of adults with intellectual disabilities. There are currently three SPARC chapters at SPIN. All groups meet at the end of each month. Each group has its unique interests: advocating for employment opportunities, learning about their rights or becoming involved in the legislative process.

• SPARC Day - Meets every last Wednesday of the month form 12 pm - 1 pm at NCC
• SPARC Evening - Meets every last Wednesday of the month from 6 pm - 7 pm
• SPARC West - Meets every last Monday fo the month from 6 pm - 7:30 pm at 820 Vernon Road

If you are interested in becoming a SPARC member or mentor, contact Katie Clancy .

PAR

The Pennsylvania Association of Resources mission is to build the capacity of the private sector to fully support Pennsylvanians with autism and intellectual disabilities according to their needs.

Use PAR's website, www.par.net, to find out what is currently happening in Harrisburg. Click on the "Advocacy" tab to find your legislator and to find out how you can get involved!

ANCOR

The American Network of Community Options and Resources is a nonprofit trade association representing and advocating on behalf of the more than 800 private providers of services and supports for nearly 500,000 Americans with disabilities that employ over 400,000 direct support staff in 49 states and Washington, D.C. ANCOR's efforts in the area of public policy, federal legislative and regulatory initiatives, judicial results, state-level initiatives and the culling of leading practices have uniquely positioned it as the national presence for private providers. Congress and federal agencies turn to ANCOR as the authority in our profession. ANCOR has always been and will continue to be your eyes, ears, and voice in Washington, DC.

www.ancor.org

The National Association of Direct Support Professionals

NADSP - The National Association of Direct Support Professionals mission is to promote the development of a highly competent human services workforce which supports individuals in achieving their life goals.

www.nadsp.org

The Philadelphia Alliance

The Philadelphia Alliance, a professional society of fifty specialized agencies, working cooperatively, is committed to improving the quality of services for people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and challenges from addictions to drugs and/or alcohol through leadership and support of the human services system.

www.philalliance.org

News and Events:

• In October of 2010 SPIN hosted a Legislative Forum. This forum was an opportunity for self advocates and SPIN employees to ask state legislators questions and to voice concerns. Such questions pertained to jobs, the "R" word, wheelchair accessibility and funding.
  
  Watch the video of State Representative Brendan Boyle as he talks about how his experience at SPIN influenced him to take action.
• On April 13, 2011, eleven self advocates and 7 SPIN staff participated in a rally in Harrisburg. This rally, which was organized by the Pennsylvania Association of Resources (PAR), was held to urge our lawmakers to maintain funding in the state budget for services to people with intellectual disabilities and autism. Jerry, SPARC member, had the opportunity to share his feelings about the budget at the podium in the Capitol Rotunda. Following the rally, those from SPIN were able to talk about the budget in detail with State Representative Dennis O'Brien.