Advocacy Groups
Conducting a computer search for advocacy groups is a good starting point for finding a group in your area. You can also get information by searching the website of national organizations. Advocates from these organizations are active in several ways.
Advocates and Schools
An advocate might attend a school meeting with parents. The advocate may suggest ideas for things that will address the child's needs, ask questions in addition to those asked by the family, or simply listen and take notes for the parents to review later.
Parents who have attended IEP or 504 meetings will vouch for the difficulty of remembering everything discussed. Even with copies of the forms and reports, it is hard to remember the helpful and important details of discussions.
Essential
Try to inform the other professionals attending the meeting that you will be bringing an advocate. It is only common courtesy, and will dispel the idea that you are trying to spring a surprise on them. If possible, tell them about the advocate at the time the meeting is set up.
Advocates as Presenters
Sometimes advocates will speak about a particular disability or condition to a school or community group. It might be made to parents or siblings of children with the condition. Some advocates distribute literature from a booth at a fair or festival.
