CEC Special Education Advocacy Handbook.

This handbook, for individuals working with people who have disabilities, is designed to empower them to be a force for meeting the policy challenges in the communities in which they live and work. It is designed to help in channeling one's strength, commitment, and knowledge of the special education field into effective advocacy efforts. The handbook includes background and technical information to help in implementing positive special education policies. It describes the history and evolution of current concerns and explains successful advocacy efforts upon which to draw. It discusses the basic tools for advocacy, which include knowledge of the legislative or regulatory process, effective communication skills, and effective access to the media. It illuminates what motivates both elected and nonelected officials, what catches their attention, and what makes them respond. It demystifies policy making so the reader understands that influencing the outcome is within one's power. The handbook also offers advice on building coalitions, framing key issues and packaging important information, and understanding how to use the media as a tool to advance a cause. A glossary and several masters for overhead transparencies conclude the handbook. (Contains 13 references.) (JDD)