Amanda Woodson – Government Relations Specialist
The Amputee Coalition Government Relations Team thanks all those who joined the 2022 Advocacy Forum. We hope you enjoyed our three hour- long programs that featured our staff and wonderful guest speakers. Even though Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLLDAM) and Advocacy Forum are over, advocacy is a year-round activity. This blog post will provide you with a few key takeaways that will help you continue your advocacy journey with the Amputee Coalition!
- Become a Lead Advocate! Lead Advocates are volunteers that have received specific training about issues facing the limb loss and limb difference community, our policy priorities, and skills to become effective advocates! Our online lead advocate training includes our volunteer advocacy toolkit and eight short videos to train you for this position. Once you complete the training, you will receive a certificate noting you are a Lead Advocate and will receive an invitation to join our monthly virtual calls with other Lead Advocates and the Amputee Coalition Government Relations Team! To start the training, please visit the following link: http://www.amputee-coalition.org/LeadAdvocateTraining.
- Apply to be a Regional Ambassador! During our first public event of Advocacy Forum entitled “Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month Advocacy Call”, our Government Relations Director Zachary Hearn unveiled our brand-new grassroots advocacy structure. Our new regional ambassador program is designed to create leadership positions for senior level volunteers and long-time lead advocates. Our Regional Ambassador Application is now open, and you can apply by visiting the following link: www.amputee-coalition.org/advocacy.
- Take Action with Us! The Amputee Coalition Government Relations Team provides opportunities for advocates to advocate on behalf of the limb loss and limb difference community. Taking action is as easy as 1—2—3 if you have the right tools in your arsenal. Our latest action alert is for you to share your story with Congress regarding the importance of the National Limb Loss Resource Center (NLLRC). This action alert is designed to allow you to share your stories with your Members of Congress to show why funding for the NLLRC is so important to our community. The Amputee Coalition operates the National Limb Loss Resource Center through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living at the Department of Health and Human Services. Take action with us by visiting the following link: https://www.votervoice.net/Amputee/campaigns/93803/respond.
As we close out LLLDAM and 2022 Advocacy Forum, we also thank the governors of Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin for issuing state proclamations for April 2022 as Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month. We would like to recognize the California and Rhode Island legislatures for issuing resolutions to honor the month of April as well. Additionally, we would like to thank Sen. Blackburn, Sen. Duckworth, Rep. Butterfield, and Rep. Guthrie for their work to ensure that the Government Accountability Office begins the Triple A Study Act this summer. Finally, we would like to thank the Amputee Coalition Lead Advocates for their advocacy efforts during LLLDAM and Advocacy Forum. We would not have been successful without you!
The Amputee Coalition Government Relations Team is available for you whether you are new to advocacy or one of our seasoned advocates, if you have any questions. Please contact the team at advocacy@amputee-coalition.org!