Advocate development in the field of developmental disabilities: a data-based conceptual model.
We proposed a taxonomy of advocate development in the field of developmental disabilities derived from the systematic evaluation of a Partners in Policymaking program. Three developmental stages evolved: beginner, involved, and activist. Self-reports of advocacy actions and outcomes were collected from 3 participants with disabilities and 21 parents before and during training. A follow-up, semi-structured telephone interview was conducted 5 months after training ended. Results indicate significant improvements in the number of actions and outcomes reported by all participants. The activist group had the largest gains in actions and outcomes; they reported twice as many outcomes as did the other participants. The implications of the proposed taxonomy for participants' recruitment in advocacy training programs were discussed.
Balcazar
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Research Unit (M/C 626), University of Illinois at Chicago 60608-6904, USA.
Keys
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Bertram
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Rizzo
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D010344:Patient Advocacy