Every Center for Independent Living offers five core services, and one of them is advocacy. The Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) provides advocacy in two ways:
Individual Advocacy: This type of advocacy is for people with disabilities and older adults who have issues that are unique to them. It involves the department associated with the particular issue providing support. For example, if a person needs a mobility aid and their health insurance denies coverage for it, our Assistive Technology department can help advocate for the device to be covered.
As Orange County’s only Independent Living Center DMC and is a peer-based organization, we’re fortunate that every DMC staff member is an advocate. If someone needs support with an issue that specifically affects them as an individual, DMC is able to assist in supporting and advocating for a variety of individual issues one may face.
Systems Advocacy: DMC’s primary focus will be identifying ongoing and emerging issues that affect the disability community, older adults, and Veterans, and then developing strategies to promote meaningful change. This form of advocacy focuses on the larger disability and aging community of Orange County. It aims to identify patterns of inaccessibility and inequity and works directly with systems to address these issues or find long-term solutions. For instance, our Systems Change Advocate may work on improving legal accountability for cases where airlines lose or damage mobility devices.
The work DMC does is directed toward legislators, public officials, County and State departments, and other key decision-makers. She is also part of a statewide network of Systems Change Advocates and will be engaging in advocacy efforts at the local, state, and national levels.
DMC’s Systems Change Advocate, BreeAnna Adner wearing black suit smiling as she does ASL with her hands signing ‘advocacy’ in support of her work at DMC.
- Consumer Question: How can I get involved with systems change advocacy?
DMC Program Answer: DMC prioritizes community voices to be heard in our advocacy efforts. If there is any kind of systemic issue you would like to work with DMC on, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we can work with you. We can do legislative visits to our Assemblymembers, CA Senators, and U.S. Congressmen on disability rights and so if this seems like something you’d like to get to know more about, please reach out!
- Consumer Question: Do you provide legal aid?
DMC Program Answer: No, DMC does not provide legal aid, but we do have legal resources, some of which are free and low-cost for you to check out. Our “no wrong door” policy explains that even if we ourselves cannot directly support you, we can find another organization that will meet your needs.
- Consumer Question: I recently have faced discrimination and need an advocate to help support me. Does DMC offer that?
DMC Program Answer: DMC provides guidance and information on self-advocacy and can help support you in figuring out a strategy plan. Though we cannot be a personal advocate and intervene ourselves, DMC can promote independent living skills and help guide you through what steps to take.
- Consumer Question: What does DMC advocate for?
DMC Program Answer: DMC advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion of people with disabilities, older adults, and Veterans at the local, state, and federal level. Equal opportunities for community members in different systems is crucial to achieving equity in our society. Our Systems Change Advocate is connected to many organizations and works with them to strategize on how to spotlight and uplift marginalized voices in different systems of power.
Additional notes/resources
Bet Tzedek Bet Tzedek Main Page
Find Your Representative – Federal
California Foundation For Independent Living Centers
National Council on Independent Living
American Association of People with Disabilities
Long Term Support Services 4 All Grassroots Coalition
Explore Our DMC Advocacy Pages
At the Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC), we offer both individual advocacy skill building to empower our consumers in reaching their goals and addressing barriers along the way. We also offer Systems Change Advocacy to help advocate for our community of people with disabilities and older adults have access and independence to live the lives they choose. Our diverse offerings help individuals understand resources, their options and to have a voice in creating quality of life.
To learn more about these different types of advocacy, please visit the Individual and Systems Change Advocacy pages.
