Welcome to our Advocacy Training and Resources Center, your go-to destination for building advocacy skills and taking action. Whether you're new to advocacy or a seasoned champion, we offer tools, guides, and training to help you make an impact. Explore resources tailored to empower self-advocates, families, and professionals working for disability rights and inclusion.
NDSC Advocacy Resources
Basic Government Processes
Self-Advocate (SA) One-Pagers
- SA One-Pager Template
- SA One-Pager Examples
Additional Advocacy Resource Documents
- Creating an Elevator Speech Template
- NDSC Advocacy Resource List
- State Advocacy Engagement Plan
- Ten Tips for Giving Effective Testimony
- NDSC Policy & Advocacy Toolkit for Self-Advocates
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.
8th Annual Advocacy Training Boot Camp
Friday, July 25
8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Cortez, Hilton Anatole, Dallas
Free to all Convention registrants.
Registration is preferred but not required.
Presentations will be uploaded in August 2025.
7th Annual Advocacy Training Boot Camp
Policy Subject Areas
Education - K-12
- Why Protecting IDEA and the U.S. Department of Education is Essential for Students with Disabilities
- Policy Brief #1: What You Need to Know About State Alternate Assessment
- Policy Brief #2: Top 5 Things to Know About the Every Student Succeeds Act for IEP Meetings
- Policy Brief #3: ESSA FAQs & IEP Tips
- Policy Brief #4: Potential Impact of Proposed Vouchers
- TIES Brief #1
- TIES Brief #2
- TIES Brief #3
- All TIES Briefs
Education - Postsecondary
- Addressing the Policy Tangle Brief
- National Down Syndrome Congress Commends New U.S. Department of Education Transition Guidance
Employment
Coming soon!
Financial Security
Coming soon!
Guardianship & Supported Decision-Making
Housing & Transportation
Coming Soon!
Medicaid/Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS)
- Medicaid FAQ
- NDSC Medicaid Brief: What the Reconciliation Bill Means for People with Down Syndrome
- DS Groups Sign-On Letter on Reconciliation Bill
- Unintended Consequences: How the Budget Reconciliation Bill Risks Harming People with Down Syndrome
Social Security
Coming Soon!
Voting and Elections
Coming soon!
