Striving for Change

Writing to Your Elected Officials

Write only to your elected officials. They are the ones that you have the power to re-elect or defeat
Include in the letter your return address and phone number so the reader can easily recognize you as a constituent
Be brief, concise and well informed
Use the NCSD as a resource in legislative issues
When taking part on a mass grass roots effort orchestrated by NCSD, please ensure you reflect the group's collective identity (strength in numbers)
Focus on one issue per letter so as not to dilute your message
Identify your subject. Clearly describe the legislation you are concerned about. Identify the bill number if possible.
Make a valid case; point out your background or experience regarding the particular issue, stress the public benefits or harm that will result from the legislation
Support your position with facts
Ask in very clear terms for support or opposition of the legislation

There are several other good ways to communicate with your elected officials and their staff

E-mail

Fax

Telephone calls

Face-to-face meetings

Letters to the Editor

Most newspapers include a "letter to the editor" section. This is an excellent way for citizens to speak out about issues of concern to them. Your letter to the editor can be a very effective tool that will give free media attention to your issue of concern. Be sure to be concise, accurate and easily understood by the lay person. In your words, highlight the points that you believe are the most crucial for your position to be understood.

Follow these guidelines to write a letter to the editor

Find out the newspaper's requirements for considering letters and comply with these rules

Make it personal. An individual's letter should be customized to reflect personal viewpoint

Keep the focus local

Write as a concerned, informed citizen and identify any special expertise you bring to the issue

Keep your letter relevant and timely

Add something new to an ongoing debate rather than what others have said

Know Your Legislator

To Find your Senators

To Find your Representative

Voting

If the fiasco of Election 2000 taught us nothing else, it's that every vote actually does count. For many people with disabilities, their vote carries even a greater weight, because they will be more directly affected by the policy goals of the future Administration than many other Americans. The first step to getting good legislation on the agenda is getting good men and women elected to public office, and this is not something that can happen without every citizen being given the chance to cast their vote.

VoteSmart Information

Open Secrets - Guide to Election Spending

AAPD's Presidential Election Resource

Survey on Voting for People with Disabilities