One of the four core services provided by Options is Advocacy.  We assist with both personal advocacy and systemic advocacy.

For personal advocacy, we work with persons with disabilities so that they learn how to advocate for themselves.  We provide eduction on laws so that they can effectively and confidently promote themselves.  We also work with persons with disabilities if their efforts are not successful.

For systemic advocacy, we stay informed about those pieces of legislation that are introduced, pending and passed.  We contact our legislators so that they know if our feelings are positive or negative about the legislation.  We encourage all persons with disabilities to become registered voters, to exercise their right to vote and to contact their legislators to share their feelings on legislation as well.

Personal Advocacy

As a person with a disability, you have the right to enjoy the same rights and privileges as a person without a disability. Being knowledgeable about your rights and privileges will allow you to claim those rights in an effective way.  Self-advocacy means that you can ‘stick up for yourself’.

Having the confidence of knowledge assists you with self-advocacy.  Take the time to become familiar with what the Americans with Disabilities Act states and the laws of the State of Illinois that pertain to persons with disabilities.  Options’ website has many helpful links to sites that will give you valuable information in our “Links” section. 

Another way to acquire this knowledge is to join our Advocacy Club.  This club’s mission is to teach the rights of persons with disabilities so that self advocacy or advocating for others is done in an informed way.  The club meetings can be found on our calendar on the Home page of Options’ website.  They are usually held the first Thursday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to Noon at the Options’ Bourbonnais office.  Please call ahead if you plan to attend so that there are enough materials prepared.

Options is happy to partner with you in your goal of self advocacy.  Feel free to call us.

Systemic Advocacy

It is very difficult to be an independent person if access to stores, restaurants,doctor’s offices or housing is blocked. The term ‘systemic advocacy’ refers to changing the general apathy,awareness, understanding and cooperation of the public at large about an issue. 

For example, there are many laws that were put into place to assure that a person with disabilities is able to  access public places. These laws pertain to parking, building accessibility, fair housing, etc.  However, oftentimes builders, architects,code enforcement and landlords are not aware of the laws or they choose to ignore them.

Options does NOT want to close the doors of places, we want to open them to all.  To do that, we prefer to partner with those who are designing, building, buying or remodeling so that the laws are satisfied, that persons with disabilities have access to them and that money is not spent unnecessarily.

We perform free site surveys and offer a written report on what needs to be done to bring parking lots and buildings into compliance.  As a non-profit, we are mindful of funding,so offer suggestions for solutions that are budget friendly.

Our “Links” page also has helpful links to sites that give the correct information about accessibility.  Please call us so we can work with you in making your business compliant with the law.

Systemic advocacy also refers to changing laws so that the rights of persons with disabilities is less restrictive than those for persons without disabilities.  Watch our legislative section for the latest issues.  Join Options when we attend rallies to show our support for or opposition to an issue.  Attend gatherings at which your legislators will be present so they will hear your concerns.

 Together, we can make a difference!

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