Session 7: April 17-18, 2026
Oregon Partners in Policymaking Leadership Series
2025-2026
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
Schedule for this Session
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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
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Breakfast on your own
8:30 am Expectations for the Day9:00 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-up4:00 pm Adjourn
Homework
Action Groups
Finalize Action Group projects to be presented Friday, April 17th 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
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)
