Getting in Action and
Tips for Success
A Four-Part Webinar Series for TASH Members
Barb Trader, Ralph Edwards and Shirley
Rodriguez
Part 4, April 30th
Today’s Agenda
• Review content from the previous sessions
and apply it to the creation of a customized
strategy
• Consider delegating tasks for broader impact
• Learn how to prepare for each step in the
strategy
• Learn tips for advocacy that increase the
likelihood of success!
Quote of the Day!
• Change is inevitable – except from a vending
machine.
Robert Gallagher
TASH Vision
What’s Your Long-Term Goal?
Describe Your Principles About that
Change
Example:
• Long-term goal: All Schools in our State will Become Inclusive
• Principles:
– Every student’s individual strengths, preferences and abilities are
highly valued.
– Every student receives a rigorous and quality education in order to
become productive and contributing citizens.
– Every adult in the school takes shared ownership for the success of
every child.
– Schools actively engage family and community partners.
– Students are given meaningful opportunities to engage in their
education.
– Students are healthy: physically, socially and emotionally.
What Will You Do First?
• What can you accomplish toward that goal
now?
– Homework
• Gap analysis
• Power analysis
• Determine an issue for action – “low hanging fruit”, etc.
• Take action, debrief, recalibrate, then what?
• Then what?
• Then what?
Who Are Your Allies?
What Level of Advocacy Will You
Engage In?
– Personal
– System
– Public
Which of the three strategies of
advocacy will you use?
– Educate
– Legislate
– Litigate
Which legs of the advocacy stool will
you employ?
– Decision makers
– Grassroots
– Media – invite local papers to cover inclusive
schools and why they work!!
Revisit: What Will You Do First?
• What can you accomplish toward that goal
now?
– Homework
• Gap analysis
• Power analysis
• Determine an issue for action – “low hanging fruit”, etc.
• Take action, debrief, recalibrate, then what?
• Then what?
• Then what?
Tips for Your Journey
• Listen
• Respond to concerns respectfully
• Disability is not a partisan issue: always
remain non-partisan
More Tips (It’s a JOURNEY!)
• Make friends before you need them
• Keep your friends close and your enemies closer
– With decision-makers: quarterly meetings with
relevant state agency leaders
– With “opposition” – may someday be your ally
– Know what the opposition is doing, how they think,
what their self-interest is
– Partner – strength in numbers
– Keep allies informed; explain opposing views before
they become public
Still More Tips!
• Don’t burn bridges
– Question ideas, not motives
– Question ideas, not organizations
– Dialogue before you challenge in public
More Tips (LONG Journey!)
Do your homework
– Be prepared to introduce yourself, your self-interest
and TASH’s mission in 5 minutes or less
– Facts are powerful – it’s hard to win on moral outrage
alone
– Use facts/ values that appeal to self-interest of those
in power
– Involve whoever the change is for!! They are often
unknown to decision makers and the general public.
– Don’t become a “johnnie one-note” – personalize
your message
Final Tips!
• Be consistent – decision makers will respect
you
• Be fearless – there is no need to apologize for
your convictions
• Celebrate each success!!
Claim Your Power!!
• People Committed to the Same Vision!!
• Compelling Stories
• Empowering Action!
Tip of the Week
Stick to Principles: Flex with
STRATEGY
• Barb Trader, Executive Director
btrader@tash.org
• Become a Member
http://tash.org/join/
• Donations and Inquiries
2013 H Street NW, Suite 715
Washington, DC 20006
Main Info Line: 202-540-9020
info@tash.org
• Barb Trader, Executive Director
• btrader@tash.org
• Become a Member
• http://tash.org/join/
• Donations and Inquiries
• 1001 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 235
• Washington, DC 20036
• Main Info Line: 202-540-9020
• info@tash.org
• Follow TASH's discussions & activity
on Twitter and Facebook!
Check out the latest news on our blog: TASH
Blog.
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Carolina? Join us!