Legislative Advocacy & the GO! Project
Be an Advocate
One of the best ways to help make Oregon a better and more inclusive place for people with developmental disabilities and their families is to connect with advocates who are working on policy changes at the state level. You can make a positive difference by getting to know the legislators from your Oregon district and communicating with them on a regular basis about issues that matter to people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Find your Oregon State Legislator
Attend DD Advocacy Days at the Capitol
Download the 2019 DD Advocacy Days flyer in English or Spanish
The Oregon Legislature convenes in Salem each year, starting in February. A DD Advocacy Day is scheduled regularly during this annual session. On these days, people with disabilities, family members, advocates and others travel to Salem to talk with lawmakers face-to-face about critical issues that affect their lives.
- Schedule visits with your legislators.
- Wear something yellow to show unity on advocacy.
- Stop by before and after your visits for important advocacy updates!
The Oregon DD Coalition GO! Project Advocacy Team will be available to provide you with information, training and support on Advocacy Days at the Capitol during legislative session.
2019 DD Advocacy Days, 10AM to 2PM
Tuesday, January 22: Oregon State Capitol (900 Court Street NE Salem), Room 167A
Tuesday, February 12: Oregon State Capitol (900 Court Street NE Salem), Room 167A
Tuesday, March 5: Oregon State Capitol (900 Court Street NE Salem), Room 167A
Tuesday, April 30: Oregon State Library (250 Winter Street NE Salem), Room 103
Tuesday, May 7: Oregon State Capitol (900 Court Street NE Salem), Room 167A
Tuesday, June 18: Oregon State Capitol (900 Court Street NE Salem), Room 167A
How OCDD Can Help
Our role is to ensure that people with disabilities and other advocates have the information and support that they need to effectively educate lawmakers. We provide:
- Information about key issues facing the DD community.
- Training in how to tell your story and have successful conversations with your elected representatives.
- Resources including talking points and fact sheets that you can take with you when you talk with lawmakers.
- Support before and after your appointments, to help you prepare and to hear about your experiences afterward. We often walk people to their appointments or sit in on meetings with them.
Other Support for Your Advocacy Efforts
The Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition
The Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition (DD Coalition) also looks out for the interests of people with disabilities but is a distinct organization from OCDD. Many DD advocates are active with both the DD Coalition and OCDD.
The DD Coalition’s mission is to promote quality services and supports that respectfully further the rights, equality, justice, and inclusion for all Oregonians with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families.
The DD Coalition can provide a legislative advocacy training session at a location in your community for you and a group of people. To learn more and request a training session, contact the DD Coalition at oregoniddcoalition@gmail.com.
GO! Project
The “go” in GO! Project stands for Grassroots Oregon, a collaboration between OCDD and the DD Coalition to connect regional advocates, identify concerns in communities across Oregon, and provide technical assistance about issues that affect people with developmental disabilities.
GO! Bulletin
By subscribing to the GO! Bulletin, a free email newsletter, you’ll stay informed on
a timely basis as DD policy issues and bills move through the legislative process at the state and federal level. GO! Bulletins are delivered weekly during the Oregon legislative session and include specific opportunities, such as the Adopt-a-Legislator program, for how to get involved.
Your Next Steps
Explore a GO! Bulletin from the most recent Oregon legislative session
Sign up for the GO! Bulletin
Learn about other legislative advocacy opportunities and materials from the DD Coalition
Like the DD Coalition on Facebook to follow the action