You’ve Got the Power: An Advocate’s Guide to Shaping Public Policy
In October 2024, DignityMA leaders, Paul Lanzikos and Dick Moore gave a presentation on Advocacy at the Mass Councils on Aging Conference. Their presentation slides are below.
You’ve Got the Power: An Advocate’s Guide to Shaping Public Policy (pdf) created from a Powerpoint
Joining Public Boards and Commissions
There are many opportunities for older adults and people with disabilities to influence public policy in a wide variety of areas through service on one of the Boards and Commissions. Attached is a guide to how to become a member of a board or commission, and a list of State Boards and Commissions that are aligned with DignityMA. Local boards, committees and commissions should also be considered.
- Guide for Members of Public Boards and Commissions (pdf)
- DignityMA aligned Boards and Commissions (pdf)
Inclusive Language
A common message in all of the Inclusive Language resources is that Words Matter!
- apa.org – American Psychological Association – Inclusive Language Guidelines
- cdc.gov – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Preferred Terms for Select Population Groups and Communities
- NASAA-Arts.org – Inclusive Language Guide from the National Assembly of States Arts Agencie
- GBH Inclusive Language Guidelines (2020) – (in the process of being updated, the new version will be released soon)
Inclusive Language regarding Aging
- NewOldAge.blogs.nytimes.com
- agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com – When It Comes to Older Adults, Language Matters: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society Adopts Modified American Medical Association Style
- ohchr.org – United Nations Principles for Older Persons from the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner
Inclusive Language regarding Disabilities
- disability.Stanford.edu – Disability Language Guide from Stanford University
- UNGeneva.org – Disability-Inclusive Language Guidelines from the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy
- ADAta.org – Guidelines for Writing About People With Disabilities from the ADA National Network
- ds.GMU.edu – Inclusive Language from the George Mason University Disability Services
- media.specialolympics.org – Disability Language Guidelines for Intellectual Disabilities from the Special Olympics
- UN.org – Disability-Inclusive Communications Guidelines from the United Nations
- StyleManual.gov.AU – People with disability from the Australian Government Style Manual
Accessible Media Guide
- MA Office on Disability – Foundational principles to help make electronic documents accessible
- Boston Children’s Museum Social Media Accessibility Guide
Inspiration Porn
Inspiration Porn is where disabled people’s lives are flattened into saccharine narratives about overcoming adversity, usually designed to make nondisabled people feel uplifted and grateful. Two New York Times articles that explain Inspiration Porn are Helen Keller And the Problem of “Inspiration Porn Helen” and “Inspiration Porn”: Paralympic Know It When They See It. The following video offers additional insights: The North Face presents: ASCEND, Reframing Disability in the Outdoors.