Programs:

Self Advocacy Leadership

The Self Advocacy Network is a resource for people with disabilities to learn more about Self Determination and to make changes in their lives. SAN’s goals are:

• Increase the visibility of self-advocacy statewide
• Expand Wallbusters Peer Mentoring Project
• Outreach at state residential centers
• Self advocacy leadership training and training to community and staff of agencies
• Advocacy to achieve the goals of the Supreme Court Olmstead decision, for people to live in the most integrated setting that meets their needs and preferences.

People On the Go, a state-wide self advocacy group, encouraged the development of this project when they found that individuals with disabilities, who had gone through many workshops and trainings, were not able to make significant changes in their lives. They felt that having a peer assist them would help them learn how to speak out for themselves. Thus was born the idea of having Coordinators in four regions around the state that would help people make changes in their lives.

The Regional Contacts are:

Tracy Wright, 301-807-2408
Self-Advocacy Network Project Director

Barbara Moore, 410-828-5223
Self-Advocacy Network Central Regional Coordinator

Diana Stewart, 301-984-5777 ext 257
Self-Advocacy Network Southern Regional Coordinator

Joana Weaver, 410-742-4040
Self-Advocacy Network Eastern Regional Coordinator

Vineet Tewari
Self Advocacy Network Western Regional Coordinator

• Training provided by Self Advocacy Network staff to local self advocates, families and staff of agencies. At the present time, this is provided only in the Western Region.
• Partnerships with DDA regional training coordinators.
• Information and referral about self advocacy.
• Meet with local self advocacy groups, both community self-advocacy groups and groups in state residential centers, to learn about their efforts and offer support as needed.
• As a part of the Olmstead outreach, efforts are being made to connect individuals who live in the community with people who are living in an institution. This is called Community Connections. This is a more individualized outreach to make these connections.
• Develop and support Peer Mentors – called “Wallbusters” – and offer advocacy support to individuals.

Wallbusters
This project pairs a Peer Advocate with a Mentee who work on a goal in self advocacy for the Mentee. The goal is to teach the Mentee advocacy skills they can use in all aspects of their life. The Peer Advocates are paid for their work, as are all the Regional Coordinators.

The Self Advocacy Network is made possible by funding from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration and Service Coordination, Inc.

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