Abstract
Background
When individuals with disabilities are trained in evidenced based practices and how to advocate for themselves and their families, they are best able to ensure that services and supports meet their needs and create and realize a positive vision for their future.
Participants and procedure
In New Hampshire in the United States a Leadership Series provided seven weekend training sessions to an annual cohort of about 25 family members and 10 adults with disabilities about better practices in service provision, defining a vision for the future, and community organizing and advocacy strategies, using informational sessions and participation in small work groups.
Results
A total of 100 participants completing the Series over a six-year period completed pre and post surveys consisting of both closed-ended and open-ended questions. Respondents reported highly significant increases in their knowledge about service provision and advocacy strategies, significant increases in their clarity of vision for six out of seven life domains, and significant increases in their membership in community organizations and frequency of advocacy activities.
Conclusions
The Leadership Series fostered increased efforts to create positive change in the lives of the participants and their family members with disabilities and in the services and supports provided to family members with disabilities.
Department
Institute on Disability
Publication Date
2-1-2015
Journal Title
Health Psychology Report
Publisher
Termedia Publishing House
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Schuh, M., Hagner, D., Dillon, A., & Dixon, B. (2015) The outcomes of family and consumer leadership education: Effective positive change in disability policy. Health Psychology Report, 3(2), 115-122. https://dx.doi.org/10.5114/hpr.2015.50173
Comments
This is an article published by Termedia Publishing House in Health Psychology Report in 2015, available online: https://dx.doi.org/10.5114/hpr.2015.50173