Community Access Center

SYSTEMS ADVOCACY

Systems Advocacy is the process of making positive changes in our society that improves the quality of life for people with disabilities.

A personal advocate is a person who advocates for the needs and rights of an individual.

A systems advocate is a person who advocates for the needs and rights of a group of people (people with a disability).
A system advocate would work or advocate to change laws to allow all very low income people to receive subsidize housing.
A system advocate needs to be aware of neighborhood, city, county, state, and federal processes where decisions are being made.
A system advocate should be in contact with many people in a group so the advocate can affect the decision-makers at all levels.
A system advocate should participate in public hearings, advisory committees, city council meetings, and any forum where public policy is being debated.
Writing letters to public officials supporting legislation that will effect the group as a whole is another form of systems advocacy.