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Public Policy

The goal of the Disability Policy Collaboration is to impact national public policy for people with developmental disabilities, including those with cerebral palsy and intellectual disability, and their friends, families and loved ones.

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Advocacy Tools: Legislative Advocacy

Guidelines for Meetings with Members of Congress

One of the most effective ways to influence the decisions of a legislator is with a face-to-face visit. Frequent contacts are necessary to associate your face and name with your cause. Whether you will meet one-on-one or with a group, plan the meeting and develop an agenda to cover all the points you wish to make. Pick just one or two issues to discuss. If it will be a first time meeting, select an issue about which he/she may be sympathetic—or at least open-minded.

Here are some simple steps to follow:

  • Make an appointment: If you drop by without an appointment, you may wait, or you may force him/her to postpone something else, thereby creating negative feelings before you begin. BE ON TIME.
  • Always introduce yourself, even at a second or third meeting. Don't put the legislator or their staff member in the awkward position of having to grope for your name.
  • Get down to business quickly. Begin on a positive note. State the Bill number, title and author, or state the issue, your position, and what you want him/her to do.
  • Thank him/her for previous support. Legislators like to know that you know of their record. If you don't know the record, thank him for taking the time to meet with you.
  • Be specific, be clear and be simple. Provide information about how this issue impacts his/her constituency and people throughout the state. Use fact sheets, charts, statistics, etc.
  • Use personal stories or anecdotes. Remember, your job is to persuade… and a personal story will leave an image that the legislator will remember when he/she votes on the issue.
  • Ask what you can do. Ask if you can provide further information, arrange a tour of local services, or contact others.
  • Leave brief written materials. Your legislator will file the materials and refer to them when questions come up later and/or when he/she votes on the issue.
  • Thank him/her again. Send a written thank you, recapping the meeting, as soon as you return home.

And remember: Even if you have a firm appointment, the demands on a legislator's time are unbelievable, and a last-minute change in schedule may be unavoidable. If that happens, you will be referred to an aide. Treat the person with the same respect and courtesy you would extend to the Congressperson, as he or she is in a position to advance your cause.