Developing Ready, Willing, and Able Partners Emily Shryock The University of Texas at Austin Creating a disABILITY Advocate Program

What is a disABILITY Advocate Program? Outreach program for students, faculty, and staff Use of placards for program completion Visual reminder of Advocate pledge Increase recognition of program Serve as a referral system Three versions of training designed to meet different needs across campus Emphasizes action and advocacy

disABILITY Advocate Curriculum Learning Outcomes Have 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

Why 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 disabilities

Program 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.”

disABILITY Advocate Ready. Willing. ABLE. Phase 1 Branding/Logo /Presence Curriculum Development Implementation Phase 2 Implement Faculty Program Train Facilitators Refine/Update Program Create website, address, listserv Start student group Phase 3 Add academic component to train student facilitators Hire intern/GA

Phase 1 Create Branding/ Logo/Presence Develop recognition of program Create meaning “You are a disABILITY advocate” Display with item of value (placard)

Phase 1, cont’d. Curriculum Development Identify 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

Phase 1, cont’d. Implementation Marketing strategy Start with key partners on campus Recruit participants from various departments and offices “Infiltrate” offices with Advocate placards to increase referrals Implement Foundation as primary program disABILITY 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

Phase 2 Implement faculty program Targeted marketing for faculty Train facilitators Reduces burden on staff and allows for more trainings Refine/update program As needed: review feedback/evaluation results, increase handouts and resources Develop student group Involve students in advocacy work: disABILITY Advocate Student Coalition Create website, address, listserv

Phase 3 Create opportunity for academic credit 2 semester commitment: 1 semester of learning material for program and 1 semester of facilitating trainings/presentations * Based on the Gender and Sexuality Center’s Peers for Pride Program Hire interns/GA to assist with disABILITY Advocate growth and development

Are 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.

Questions or Comments? We hope you now feel ready, willing, and able to implement a disABILITY Advocate Program on your campus! Contact: Emily Shryock Services for Students with Disabilities The University of Texas at Austin