Who We Are and Why We Did This

The Legislative Advocacy Toolbox is a project of the Oklahoma
Rehabilitation Council. This Toolbox was modeled after the Health
Advocacy Toolbox by the Connecticut Health Policy Project.

The Mission of the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council (ORC) is to
facilitate consumer education and empowerment, to assure services
are of high quality, and lead to employment of individuals with
disabilities in the State of Oklahoma. The ORC is a partner with the
Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services whose primary focus
is vocational rehabilitation.

There are many motivated, potential disability advocates who feel
confused about how to really make a difference - where to start. Many
feel disaffected and helpless to change policies that aren't really
working for people. Many feel that it takes a lot of money and/or time
to be effective. Too many believe that systems are extremely complex
and only professionals can have an impact. The truth is that average
citizens, with minimal time commitments, can be very effective and it
doesn't have to cost anything. Policymakers are invariably moved by
real stories from real people. All that is needed are the right tools.

This Toolbox is built to give people the skills they need to address the
problems they are facing. The Toolbox starts where people generally
begin - with a problem that they feel needs addressing.

The goal of the Toolbox is skill development that consumers will use to
benefit their own issues. You will not find an endorsement of any
position or candidate or party or anything else in the Toolbox.

It is our hope that the Toolbox provides a realistic framework of
information and resources for interested consumers to make your
voices heard with the strength that comes from knowledge - drawing
back the curtain on what too often appears to be a closed process.