NDSC Advocacy Training Boot Camp

The NDSC Advocacy Training Boot Camp (ATBC), held at the annual NDSC Convention, helps parents, professionals, and self-advocates at all levels build their advocacy skills and confidence. Learn how advocacy works, hear real stories from experienced advocates, and pick up practical tips to engage with legislators effectively.

9th Annual Advocacy Training Boot Camp

The NDSC Advocacy Training Boot Camp (ATBC), held at the annual NDSC Convention, helps parents, professionals, and self-advocates at all levels build their advocacy skills and confidence. Learn how advocacy works, hear real stories from experienced advocates, and pick up practical tips to engage with legislators effectively.

Advocacy Training Boot Camp is designed especially for beginning advocates and is free with your NDSC Convention registration. It is open to advocates of all abilities, including self-advocates, and offers a welcoming space to learn, grow, and get involved.

• First Steps: How to Get Started in Your Advocacy Journey

  • Jawanda Mast, NDSC Grassroots Advocacy Manager

• How to Include Self-Advocates' Voices and Make an Impactful One-Pager

  • Adrian Forsythe, NDSC Policy & Advocacy Assistant

• How to Tell Your Story So It Leads to Action

  • Dr. Stephanie Meredith

• How to Engage, Empower, and Partner with Diverse Communities for Policy Change

  • Dr. Taryn Fletcher

• Understanding State Advocacy: Follow the Money

  • Roxane Romanick and Elizabeth Romanick

• You've Got the Tools. Now What?

  • Heather Sachs, NDSC Policy & Advocacy Co-Director

8th Annual Advocacy Training Boot Camp

• Engaging Policy Makers with Your Story
  • Jawanda Mast, NDSC Grassroots Advocacy Manager - Kansas
  • Hannah LaCour, NDSC Board Member, Self-Advocate, & NDAC Member - Louisiana
• Empowering Advocacy: Harnessing AI for Impact
  • Julie Gerhart Rothholz, Parent Advocate & NDAC member - Pennsylvania
  • Evan Rothholz, Self-Advocate & NDAC Member - Pennsylvania
• Enabling Connections: How you can build and sustain relationships with elected officials
  • Tanya Chavez, Program Director, Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee
• Five Ways to Engage Diverse Populations
  • Magaly Diaz, NDSC Multicultural Coordinator - Texas
  • Crystal Lotterberry, Co-Founder/Vice President at Black Down Syndrome Association, Parent & NDAC Member - Texas
• Using Social Media to Advocate for People with Disabilities
  • Jillian Benfield, Author, Parent, & NDAC Member - Florida
• Next Steps: Q&A
  • Heather Sachs, NDSC Policy & Advocacy Co-Director - Maryland

7th Annual Advocacy Training Boot Camp

• Engaging Policy Makers with Your Story
  • Jawanda Mast
  • Jessie Smart
• The Nuts and Bolts of State Advocacy
  • Adrian Forsythe
  • Liz Zogby
• Engaging People of Color in Policy Advocacy
  • Brandicus Coleman
  • Steve Freeman
• Pivot: Seizing the Opportunity
  • Cindy Liu
  • Kelly Kulzer Reyes
• State Advocacy Case Study
  • Jon Meyers
• Next Steps: Q&A
  • Heather Sachs