Policy Change Through Parent and Consumer Leadership Education

Abstract

This study examines the impact of intensive training in leadership and advocacy skills on the level of knowledge about services and supports, advocacy activity, and the clarity of vision for the future of 123 individuals with disabilities and family members who participated in an annual New Hampshire Leadership Series over 7 years. There was a significant increase in knowledge about services and supports following training in every year, and consistently significant increases in advocacy activity and clarity of vision in Years 4 through 7, with particularly striking improvement associated with the addition of a stronger emphasis on person-centered planning within the curriculum. The implications of a sustained effort to develop a statewide grassroots leadership capacity on policies and practices are discussed.