Think College Policy Advocates
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Since 2019, Think College National Coordinating Center and the Association for University Centers on Disability (AUCD) have partnered to offer Think College Policy Advocates Training – an opportunity for teams comprised of college students with intellectual disability and a college program staff to learn together about disability policy and advocacy.
The application to apply to become a TCPA trainee opens in February/March each year. Up to ten teams from across the US are accepted. Teams will receive in-person and virtual training, coaching support from skilled advocacy professionals, and a stipend to support their travel expenses to Washington, DC.
What is Think College Policy Advocates Training?
- Think College Policy Advocates Training offers over a dozen hours of training and coaching both virtually and in-person in Washington DC each fall. In-person components are provided during the annual Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) Annual Conference.
- The curriculum was developed and is taught by AUCD staffers Denise Rozell, Director of Policy Innovation, Liz Weintraub, Senior Advocacy Specialist, and Caroline Jurisich, Policy Specialist.
- Training covers the basics of advocacy, information about the US Congress and the federal government structure, and discussions on current federal issues of importance to people with disabilities, including inclusive postsecondary education opportunities. The training also teaches skills and strategies to use to make the most of meetings with representatives in Congress.
- The training culminates in visits to Capitol Hill where each participant meets with Congressional members and their staff about issues that matter to them.