Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
>> So my experience advocating has overall been positive,
there's definitely been some surprises, some setbacks
and some challenges that we definitely encountered
as our group went to the state capital
and sought out state regulation.
I think the positive pieces are
that legislators are very interested in talking with you
and understanding your issue and concern.
ASHA's support has been huge and tremendous,
our state association representative was a conduit
to other experts within ASHA and in the field,
being able to get us -- to help us develop position papers
and get information, I think one
of the biggest challenges was countering misconceptions
that were already there.
So when we first got to the state capital and meeting
with folks, we expected to be at ground zero and starting
to educate their legislators or various groups
about what we were seeking to find
that there were some misconceptions about our intents
or our aims and we really had to work hard
to counter those misconceptions and gain some trust.
In terms of our successes, first and foremost,
this past year we were able to pass statewide regulation
for speech-language pathology so we were thrilled with that.
But I think more importantly than that is we've been able
to develop some positive relationships at the capital
and as a group now, we are known
as being very reasonable to work with.
And that, to me, is a huge coup and something that we'll be able
to capitalize on in years to come.
So any ASHA member interested in getting started with advocacy,
I do think that you've got resources at ASHA
and at your state association
that you definitely need to tap into.
Also on the websites, both with your state association
and in ASHA in terms of downloadable materials
to go ahead and bring with you when you meet
with a state legislator, also if you have a very specific issue,
I think one of the other pieces is to do some homework,
understand the opposing views, not just know what they are
but try to get a sense of why do they oppose it,
what are their arguments so that you can come prepared
into that discussion and have a movement forward
and some common ground that you can start talking about
or knowledge base, maybe you can come up with a reasonable
and agreeable compromise.
Coming to that discussion with an understanding
of their position just helps to buy a little bit of trust
when you start working with others at the state capital.
So I think some homework with that.