Welcome to Partners in Making Your Case, a self-study course designed to help people advocate for positive changes in public policies that impact people with developmental disabilities and their families. It is designed for:

• Self-advocates
• Parents and family members of children and adults with developmental disabilities
• Direct care workers
• Service providers
• Professionals working in fields related to disability services.

Since 1987, graduates of Partners in Policymaking ® have used their newly-acquired advocacy skills to bring about major policy changes at all levels of government in the United States and around the world. These successes have improved the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

Partners in Making Your Case teaches the critical skills you need to be an effective advocate. After you have completed this course, you will:

• Understand how public policy is made and who makes it;
• Understand the advocacy process and apply it to your situation;
• Be able to tell your story in writing and in person;
• Know how to identify the policymakers who can help bring about the changes you need;
• Write effective letters and e-mails;
• Conduct meetings with policymakers;
• Give effective testimony and answer questions; and
• Organize with others to tackle community issues.

Ready to begin? Click TAKE THE COURSE and you'll be on your way to making your case!

"Telling Your Story" is a free iPad app. now available at the iTunes store. Learn how to compose your personal story and how to best present to your elected public officials. Record and practice delivering your story, and include a photo.

Now also available for iPad/iPhone and Amazon Kindle Fire HD.

Partners in Policymaking ® is an innovative, award-winning leadership training program for adults with developmental disabilities and the parents of young children with developmental disabilities throughout the world. Four critical outcomes guide our work:

• Independence - Through increased personal choice and control;
• Productivity - Through expanded positive employment and job advancement opportunities;
• Self-Determination - Through the freedom to choose how, where and with whom to live and work, the freedom to choose recreational activities, and the freedom to choose care providers;
• Integration and Inclusion - Through full, equal participation with all citizens in the community, at school and in the workplace.