Session 7: April 17-18, 2026

Oregon Partners in Policymaking Leadership Series

2025-2026

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Legislative advocacy

Where: Holiday Inn Salem, 3301 Market Street NE, Salem, OR 97301

Day 1: Friday, April 17, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Day 2: Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

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Schedule for this Session

• Day 1: Friday, April 17

  1:00 pm Welcome       

  1:15 pm   Connecting Research, Policy, & Practice

  2:00 pm   Federal Policy 101: From DC to Salem

  2:45p   Break 

  3:00 pm   Advocacy in the AI & Digital Era

  4:00 pm   Break, Room Check-in

  4:15 pm   Advocating for Implementation

  5:15 pm   Upcoming Advocacy Opportunities & Council Membership

  5:30 pm   Prep for Legislators

  6:00 pm   Dinner with Legislative Advocacy Teams courtesy Creating Opportunities

  7:00 pm   Advocacy with Lived Experience

  7:45 pm  Wrap up, Questions

  8:00 pm Adjourn

• Day 2: Saturday, April 18

  Breakfast on your own
  
  8:30 am   Expectations for the Day

  9:00 am  Final prep with Legislative Advocacy Teams

  10:15 am   Break

  10:30 am   Meetings with Legislators & Elected Officials

  11:30 am   Panel Discussion with Legislators & Elected Officials

  12:00 pm   Lunch

  1:00 pm      Post-meetings Debrief and How to Follow up

  1:30 pm   Federal Advocacy Horizon

  2:00 pm   Break

  2:15 pm   Charting the LifeCourse: Putting It All Together

  3:15 pm  May Graduation Event Prep
  
  3:45 pm   Evaluations, Homework, & Wrap-up

  4:00 pm   Adjourn      

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Homework

Action Groups

• Finalize Action Group projects to be presented Friday, May 7th to your instructors and peers.

  • Each group gets 30 minutes to present.

  • Refer to the Action Group Expectations document for guidance or contact Coleen.

Individuals

• Prepare your 3-minute graduation speech to be presented to your classmates, families and invited guests. Be prepared to speak to: 

  • Name and where you are from

  • What is my WHY? (Why did you join PIP?)

  • What is/are your key takeaway(s)? How did it change your life (if it did)?

  • What will you DO with what you learned at PIP?

  • Any appreciations?

• Finalize your LifeCourse plan to turn in on Friday, May 17th. Include the following documents

  • One-page profile (FACT examples)

  • Reciprocal Roles worksheet

  • Life Trajectory worksheet

  • Exploring Life Possibilities worksheet

  • Integrated Supports Star worksheet

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Resources

General advocacy

• "How the Disability Community Can Fight Back in 2025” (Center for American Progress, March 10, 2025)

• “2026 Disability Advocacy: What We’re Watching and How to Help” (The Arc, March 12, 2026)

End the abuse

• “New Guidance Helps Schools Support Students with Disabilities and Avoid Discriminatory Use of Discipline” (US Department of Education, July 19, 2022)

• “Ed Department Cracking Down On Restraint, Seclusion In Schools” (Michelle Diament, January 18, 2019)

Higher Education for Everybody

• A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities (US Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (Revised August 2020)

• Transition Services and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act: What it means for Schools, Families and Youth with Disabilities (Revised July 2020)

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