by Kathleen Durkin, LBC ’11, President & CEO, The Arc Baltimore
The 90-day legislative session wrapped at midnight in Annapolis on April 13th. Sine die (Latin for “without day”) refers to the final adjournment of the legislative body, marking the official end of a session.
Legislative advocacy is a key component of community leadership. It creates the opportunity for meaningful, lasting change. Whether focusing on the local, state or federal level, advocacy helps ensure government accountability to the communities it serves.
Advocacy turns individual concern into collective action. Everyone’s voice matters, and it’s up to each of us to not only make ours heard, but to help lift the voices of others. It amplifies marginalized voices, drives systemic policy change, and can transform public opinion while influencing decision-makers to respond to the concerns and priorities of their constituents. Advocacy can take many different forms.
Showing up is vital
Our elected officials are chosen by their constituents to represent their best interests, but they can only do that effectively if they understand their constituents’ priorities. Rallies, individual meetings, and community gatherings make a difference.
This year, people with developmental disabilities, their families, and the staff who support them gathered for several rallies on Lawyers’ Mall in Annapolis with only days’ notice. In rain and snow, people using wheelchairs, communication devices, walkers, and other supports stood together as a visible reminder that they matter and that they vote! Their presence delivered a powerful message that disability rights are human rights.
Storytelling is powerful
Elected officials need and want to hear directly from the people they serve. They can only make informed decisions when they understand the real-life impact of the policies before them. Putting a name and a face to legislative decisions makes those impacts tangible.
In my experience as a professional, my voice is secondary to that of a person with a disability, their family member, or a direct support professional. Those are stories I can share, but their impact is far greater when they can tell their own stories. This year, our team at The Arc Baltimore (people we support, families, staff, and board members) sent over 300+ emails/letters to our representatives.
Oral and written testimony matter
When a bill is heard in Annapolis, panels of advocates present testimony that can be in support, in support with amendment, or in opposition. For many people, this can feel intimidating, but legislators rely on this input to understand how their positions on bills will impact people and communities.
Phone calls and emails count
Quite literally, calls and emails are counted. When a controversial issue is being debated, legislators often look to the volume of constituent outreach to gauge its importance. Legislative staff members track calls, emails, and letters to help inform decision-making. Drafting your own message is always most effective, but during time-sensitive moments, a coordinated, uniform communication can also be impactful.
Use the media
Letters to the editor, opinion pieces, and interviews with local media outlets can expand awareness, build public support, and encourage broader community engagement.
Advocacy never stops
Although the state legislative session has ended for this year, advocacy continues year-round. The time between sessions is an important opportunity to build relationships with elected officials, share experiences, and deepen their understanding of the issues that matter most to our communities.