Advocacy Groups
Advocacy is a very broad category that includes organizations that support people with
disabilities and their families in a variety of different ways. Organizations such as
The Arc of Illinois provide advocacy at the national, state, and local level. Members
are well informed through the organization and participate in advocating for programs
and policies that support their needs. Working together as a group and collaborating
with other organizations in partnerships allows their efforts to have much greater
impact on policymakers.
The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, also a statewide organization, is
dedicated to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities through
advocacy, systemic change and capacity building. Though their services are indirect,
their investment in new programs that improve the delivery of services and supports to
individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have far reaching positive
impact on the residents of Illinois. The investments supported by the ICDD include the
Illinois Life Span Project.
There are also a large number of more local advocacy groups, such as NADS The National
Association for Down Syndrome. This group serves parents and others who love someone with
Down syndrome in the Chicago Suburban area.
Advocacy groups can help people with disabilities and their families share and acquire
information, understand policies and services, and impact the systems that serve them.
These organizations are as diverse as the population of our state. There are many advocacy
organizations listed on the Illinois Life Span website under Search for
Advocacy/Service Providers and/or in our
Related Web Site Links section, which you will find at the top of your screen.
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