| Project Leadership, a three-year Project of National Significance funded
by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, is a collaboration among
Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE); the National Parent Network on
Disabilities (NPND); the Center on Innovations (COI) of Community Options,
Inc., and the Center on Self Determination. The project brings key self advocates
and parent/family leaders to Washington D.C. to gain knowledge and skills
that they can use to advance the goals of self-determination through policymaking
at the federal level and to create a nationwide Leadership Network.
The Network’s goal is to shape and guide the implementation of federal
and state policies, practices, and approaches that enhance self-determination.
Each year, equal numbers of self-advocates and parent leaders will be brought
to Washington, DC for two week-long training sessions. During these training
sessions, they will move through a curriculum based on “insiders”
information about how to be effective and influence passage, regulations,
funding, implementation, and monitoring of legislation vital to people with
disabilities. Participants also talk with Senators and Representatives,
legislative staff, directors of key Federal agencies (e.g., ADD, DOL, DHHS/OSERS;
HCFA, SSA and the President’s Task Force) and other nationally recognized
leaders to learn what actually influenced their decisions on specific issues.
In addition, Project Leadership participants observe and, if possible,
participate in hearings, forums and other public deliberations that shape
public policy.
Upon returning home, participants are linked with each other through electronic
bulletin boards and listservs. In addition, they will participate in regional
networking workshops and conferences to share what they have learned about
influencing federal policy in support of self determination with other self
advocates and parents and family members in their geographic areas.
The project design requires that one self advocate and one
parent/family leader be selected from each of the 50 states, the District
of Columbia, and the Territories to participate in the training over the
three year period. In Year One, the Project Leadership Class of 2000 consisted
of 38 individuals from 21 states. Eight states-Arkansas, California, Florida,
Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, and Oregon-were represented by both a
self advocate and a parent/family leader. Individuals living in these
eight states are not eligible for Project Leadership’s Class of
2001. Eight states were represented by a self advocate leader-Alabama,
Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington, and Wyoming.
Self Advocates from these eight states are not eligible for Project
Leadership’s Class of 2001. Five states were represented by
a parent/family leader-District of Columbia, Kentucky, New York, Texas, and
Virginia. Parent/Family Leaders from these five states are not eligible
for Project Leadership’s Class of 2001.
There is no charge for participating in the Project Leadership Training.
However, project funds are not available to cover the costs of
participants’ travel, hotel and per diem expenses. The project is currently
surveying state agencies that receive funding from the Administration on
Developmental Disabilities (Developmental Disability Councils, University
Affiliated Programs, and state Protection and Advocacy Agencies) to see if
they might be able to cover these costs for participants selected from their
state. In the event that funding from these agencies is not available in
a particular state, persons selected from that state will be advised to seek
funding from other organizations, such as disability organizations or
disability-related state agencies (Departments of Mental Health, Mental
Retardation, or Developmental Disabilities).
Individuals interested in applying for participation in Project
Leadership’s Class of 2001 are asked to read the Selection Criteria
carefully to ensure that they are eligible. Applications must be received
by December 15, 2000 in order to be considered for the Class of 2001.
Completed applications may be sent by mail to: Project Leadership, c/o Community
Options, Suite 430, 1130 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; faxed to
202-721-0124; or submitted electronically to
Sally.Weiss@comop.org.
Thank you.
Selection Criteria
for Project Leadership Class of 2001
Participants for Project Leadership will be selected on the basis of the
criteria described below.
1. Developmental Disability
Participants in this project must be either
a) a person with a developmental disability, or
b) a parent or family member of a person with a developmental
disability.
Developmental Disability is defined as a severe, chronic disability
of an individual that
(i) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or
combination of mental and physical impairments;
(ii) is manifested before the individual attains age 22;
(iii) is likely to continue indefinitely;
(iv) results in substantial functional limitations in 3 or more of
the following areas of major life activity-Self-care; Receptive
and expressive language; Learning; Mobility; Self-direction; Capacity for
independent living; and Economic self-sufficiency-and
(v) reflects the individual's need for a combination and sequence of
special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized supports,
or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and
are individually planned and coordinated.
INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN- An individual from birth to age 9, inclusive,
who has a substantial developmental delay or specific congenital
or acquired condition, may be considered to have a developmental
disability without meeting 3 or more of the criteria described in clauses
(i) through (v) of subparagraph (A) if the individual, without services
and supports, has a high probability of meeting those criteria later in life.
2. Leadership Experience
Self Advocate and Parent/Family Leaders will be evaluated in terms of their
commitment to self-determination as demonstrated through specific activities
and accomplishments; advocacy success at a local, state, or national level;
distinguished leadership experience at local or state level; their leadership
goals for the future; and completion of a local or state leadership training
program.
3. Racial and Ethnic Diversity
The project is actively seeking participation from individuals from minority
backgrounds: African American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American/Alaska Native,
and Pacific Islander.
4. Geographic Representation
The project design requires that one self advocate and one parent/family
leader be selected from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia,
and the Territories.
In Year One, the Project Leadership Class of 2000 consisted of 38 individuals
from 21states. Eight states-Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Maryland,
Missouri, Ohio, and Oregon-were represented by both a self advocate and a
parent/family leader. Individuals living in these eight states are not eligible
for Project Leadership’s Class of 2001. Eight states were represented
by a self advocate leader-Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois,
Massachusetts, Washington, and Wyoming. Self Advocates from these eight states
are not eligible for Project Leadership’s Class of 2001. Five states
were represented by a parent/family leader-District of Columbia, Kentucky,
New York, Texas, and Virginia. Parent/Family Leaders from these five states
are not eligible for Project Leadership’s Class of 2001.
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