Disability Leadership Network to present advocacy training sessions

The Family to Family Network and the Texas Council for Development Disabilities will present a leadership and advocacy training program in Sugar Land and Clear Lake this fall for parents, adults with disabilities, and community members interested in learning more about disability issues.

The Disability Leadership Network of Houston training program aims to develop skills necessary to make personal contacts to advocate, from the individual level to the public policy level, for people with disabilities. After completion of this program, participants can advance to specialized or statewide leadership and advocacy training programs.

The Sugar Land trainings will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays, Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17 and Dec. 8.

Trainings in Clear Lake will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays, Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, and Dec. 9.

The first session will cover the history of the disability movement with presenter Laura Buckner, and Kathie Snow will present “Disability is Natural and People First Language.”

The second session will feature speaker Charlene Comstock-Galagan, who will present “The Importance of Belonging, and Why Inclusion Begins in Kindergarten.” A panel of youth will share their personal experiences about inclusive education.

Buckner will return for the third session, presenting “Self-Determination and Employment, Imagine Enterprises and Person-Centered Planning.” A panel of young adults will share their personal experiences about independent living and employment.

The final session will be about creating systems change by influencing public policy with speaker Jonas Schwartz from the Health and Human Services Commission.

Participants can register online by clicking here. Registration will not be complete until payment is received. Family members in need of financial assistance to participate should call 713-466-6304.

Registration is free for self-advocates (adults with disabilities), $30 for family members, and $100 for professional and community members researching continuing education units status for social workers.