Advocacy

Advocacy Programs

UCP offers a variety of support options and programs which are described here.

UCP Consumer Trainer

The Consumer Trainer is responsible for:

1. Assisting in the organization and ongoing activities of existing advocacy groups; i.e. Barrier Busters of Eau Claire County, Stepping Stones of St. Croix County, St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition, People Can’t Wait Committee for Dunn, Pepin, Chippewa and Eau Claire Counties sponsored by the Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities.
2. Representing United Cerebral Palsy on appropriate committees; i.e. Area Consortia on Transportation, Advocacy Committee, and St. Croix Human Resources Council
3. Legislative Activity Contacting local, state and national legislators regarding issues of concern to people with disabilities. Organizing and participating in Wisconsin Disability Day Rallies in Madison at the Capitol.

B.R.I.C.

Project B.R.I.C. is a grassroots project made up of individuals, families and community members that are passionate about enhancing inclusion in Eau Claire and the surrounding area.

• To improve employment opportunities for all people with and without disabilities, with a special focus on teens and young adults.

• To increase societal and cultural acceptance of differing abilities throughout West Central Wisconsin.

The ultimate goal for all people belonging to any community is full inclusion in all aspects of that community.

• It’s about living full lives – about learning to live together.

• It makes the world our classroom for a full life.

• It treasures diversity and builds community.

• It’s about our ‘abilities’ – our gifts and how to share them.

• Inclusion is about us. NOT just a ‘disability’ issue.

Barrier Busters, Inc.

A group in Eau Claire County whose mission is the identification of the needs of people with disabilities (differently-abled) and addressing those needs by advocating for:

• Accessible transportation for all. Public transportation which allows for more flexibility in shopping, meetings, movies, visiting with friends and family, attending church, and other activities so that people who are differently-abled can do more socializing which enhances their lifestyles.
• Accessibility of buildings in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Areas such as entrances to buildings, lack of pedestrian/wheelchair

ramps at street corners, level of public phones and water fountains, restroom toilet stalls, narrow width of and clutter in shopping aisles, unusually high counters in checkout areas and available enforced handicapped parking stalls.

Employment opportunities in area businesses and industries are generally lacking because of long-held societal beliefs and misconceptions. Within this area, greater acceptance by employers and employees, better wages or salaries, and more openings in the area job market are targeted.

Attitudes of the general public towards disabled individuals. Preconceived notions and fear constitute the major problem. Greater efforts need to be made towards educating the public about disability-related limitations which may or may not be present, with an emphasis on the abilities of differently-abled people.

Past efforts include:

• Appointments to city, county and state boards and committees
• Testifying at public hearings held locally and statewide on disability related issues
• Coordinating major events aimed at improving the lives of people who are differently-abled
• Accessibility study of the Eau Claire area
• Developing Voter Registration packets of information directed toward people who are differently-abled and/or elderly
• Participating in a transportation needs study of Eau Claire County areas
• Membership in the St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition which provides resource data and information
• Individual and systems advocacy as appropriate

Meetings are held for the entire group every 6 weeks. Every 3 weeks a business meeting is held. Entire group meetings are held at Lake Street Methodist Church, 337 Lake Street, Eau Claire from 6:00 to 8:00 P. M in the Fellowship Hall. The Hall is accessible and the public is invited. Current President is Dan Odell. For more information and a schedule of meetings, call Donna at United Cerebral Palsy, 715-832-1782.

Stepping Stones of St. Croix County

Stepping Stones conducts an active bi-weekly bowling program in New Richmond at the New Richmond Bowl, Knowles Avenue. Bowling begins on September 14, and is every other week. Cost is $1.50 for two games. At the end of the season there is a bowling party, or participation in a two-county bowling tournament. For more information call Traci Bauer at United Cerebral Palsy, 715-832-1782, or the St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition, 1-877-595-7283 for more information.

St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition

Funded through the United Way of St. Croix County, the mission of the St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition is to help communities become more aware of the needs of people of all ages who are differently-abled in St. Croix, Pierce and Polk counties. In existence since 1986, the Coalition works to increase awareness of disability-related issues including:

• Accessibility
• Education
• Community Employment
• Improved transportation
• Socialization/recreation
• Community integration
• Individual advocacy

Members of the St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition include, United Cerebral Palsy of West Central Wisconsin, Barrier Busters, Inc., Stepping Stones, and the Center for Independent Living Western Wisconsin. Individuals also are members.

Members attend the Wisconsin Disability Awareness Day at the state capitol in Madison every two years. The trip is co-sponsored by the Coalition and United Cerebral Palsy of West Central Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities and grants. Prior to the trip appointments are made with state legislators to discuss issues of concern to people with disabilities. Letters which are written prior to the trip are then delivered. At noon a rally is held in the capitol rotunda, at which last year, Governor Jim Doyle spoke.

PACER Puppet Program

The Hugh J. Andersen Foundation has funded the PACER Puppet program through the Coalition. Six puppets with disabilities and their scripts are rehearsed and presented to the lower grades by middle school students with and without special education needs. This program is the third in an arts for students with disabilities program and is available throughout the three county area to educators.

Adaptive Technology

Since the distance between active members of the Board of directors is quite far, a grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation has provided computer networking equipment which has enabled members to operate more efficiently, and has improved their ability to respond to requests and other business more quickly.

Volunteer Driver Program

The Coalition operates a volunteer driver program for people with disabilities funded by the St. Croix County Office on Aging, the Center for Independent Living Western Wisconsin and the United Way of St. Croix County. Grants from Xcel Energy, and the Baldwin Foundation have supplemented the program. In the past six months volunteer drivers who are paid mileage have driven over ll,000 miles transporting 159 persons with disabilities to doctors, employment, social and recreational activities and shopping. This program fills a huge gap in rural transportation services which are sadly lacking in the three county area. The St. Croix County Office on Aging provides volunteer drivers for elderly as well.

Other Services:

Provision of resource materials on disabilities on the local, state and national levels; Americans with Disabilities Act; support groups and many other services

Workshops and presentations

Accessibility surveys

Individual and systems advocacy

Advocacy training

Provision of information to legislators

Special education mediation through CESA #11 Parent Liaisons

Maintenance of website

Recreational programs including;

Bowling/Bowling Tournaments

Dinner Dance

Summer Weekend camping

Website and Resource Data Bank

A home-based web design business was begun by a Coalition member, who also designed and maintains the Coalition’s website at:

St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition

A data bank listing resources for families with individuals who have disabilities is maintained also. Resources from this data bank can be requested through the e-mail address:

St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition E-mail

The Need for Advocacy

Read what the National Association on Disabilities found on the disadvantages the disabled face and the need for Advocacy:

NOD Disability Survey

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