Coordinated Systems Change
Ohio’s Centers for Independent Living regularly engage in advocacy to address barriers affecting people with disabilities in their communities.
While many issues begin locally, barriers involving housing, transportation, healthcare, employment, and accessibility often extend across regions and require broader solutions.
To strengthen statewide collaboration, OSILC partnered with The Ability Center of Greater Toledo to develop a Coordinated Advocacy Plan for Ohio’s Independent Living Network.
The project builds upon earlier statewide advocacy planning and stakeholder input to create a more structured approach for identifying priorities, communicating across organizations, and working together toward systems change.
The project goal
Develop a practical framework for coordinated advocacy that aligns with the State Plan for Independent Living, strengthens participation throughout the network, and complements existing local and statewide advocacy efforts.
More coordination, not more duplication
Stakeholder feedback identified a need for clearer communication, better coordination around shared issues, and more opportunities to involve people across the Independent Living Network.
It also recognized that advocacy staff are already balancing significant responsibilities and that statewide collaboration should build on existing efforts rather than create unnecessary new committees or duplicate the work of established coalitions.
Better Communication
Share priorities, information, opportunities, and updates more consistently.
Broader Participation
Engage consumers, service staff, advocacy staff, board members, and emerging leaders.
Stronger Collaboration
Support existing advocacy partnerships and align efforts around common issues.
Focused Action
Concentrate collective efforts on achievable statewide priorities.
A collective voice rooted in IL
The value of statewide advocacy coordination will ultimately be determined by whether it helps the Independent Living Network respond more effectively to barriers affecting people with disabilities.
The goal is a sustainable approach that respects local independence, recognizes different organizational capacities, strengthens relationships, and creates opportunities for people with disabilities to help lead statewide change.
This project was funded with Title VII Part B funding to support activities to increase capacity to develop approaches or systems for providing IL services