SARTAC Zoom Meetings
Many valuable resources have been shared during SARTAC's weekly online Zoom meetings. Below you will find links to the presentations, videos, guides and more.
March 23, 2023 - Medical Advocacy
SANYS is the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State. Their New York City team created a medical advisory presentation. How speaking up can make a difference in the healthcare we get.
Click here for slides used for this session
February 23, 2023 - The Power of Language
A session about Person First vs Identity First language.
What is the difference?
Presenters Mike Rogers and Sophia Roberts from SANYS will share
ways to think about how you want to be defined.
Click here for slides used for this session
February 9, 2023 - Dating Like a Pro
How To Date Like A Pro - Handout
January 19, 2022 - How States Can Get Help to Do Plain Language Projects
SARTAC is picking 4 state teams with self-advocates
to work with on Plain Language Projects.
You can get free training and technical assistance.
Click here for slides used for this session
Click here to review a recording of this session
January 12, 2023 - What is Leadership?
Leadership is about what we do.
It's not about the role we are in.
For example, our groups have presidents and chairs. Leadership is not about your title but really about what actions you take when you are in that job to create change.
Click here for slides used for this session
December 15, 2022 - Scams
What are the Top Scams to watch out for?
What is "catfishing?"
What can you do if someone is scamming you on the Internet?
Don't let them ruin your life
Click here for slides and links to videos used for this session
December 1, 2022 - Fellowship Opportunities
A SARTAC Fellowship is like an internship. It is for 1 year. You find an organization to work with. You pick a project to do that will improve your leadership skills. You work on your project for about 6 hours each week. SARTAC pays you $5,000 to complete your project.
Click here for a recording of this session
Click here for more information on how to apply for a fellowship
October 6, 2022 - Setting Boundaries
You are in charge of what you do. You decide what is okay and not okay for you. This is called personal boundaries. It is different for each person. For example, some people don’t like hugging and some people are big huggers. It is up to you. You get to decide what works for you. This is called setting your boundaries.
August 25, 2022 - The Current State of COVID-19
Learn about the BA.5 Omicron type of COVID-19.
It is different from the types of Coronavirus people got in 2020 and 2021.
Click here to get the slides
August 18, 2022 - Supported Decision Making
Courtney Hineman, a self-advocate from Ohio described how she uses Supported Decision Making in her life. Courtney is a Community Outreach Advocate working for the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities. She works with Josh Young from The Ohio Network for Innovation. They present to families and people with disabilities about Supported Decision Making.
July 28, 2022 - The HCBS Settings Rule and You
The rules agencies need to follow are called the HCBS Settings Rules. The deadline for states to comply with these federal rules is March 2023. Hear ways to teach self-advocates about the rules.
July 21, 2022 - New Vaccine Resource Made by Self-Advocates
This video was created by the Virgin Islands Developmental Disabilities Council (VIDDC). This video is narrated by Edita Carty, the Chair of the VIDDC and Claire Petersen, the video producer. The video provides the importance of taking the COVID-19 vaccinations, the history of vaccinations and how vaccinations save and continue to save lives.
July 14, 2022 - Disability Pride Month
What is Disability Pride Month? Disability is just another way for someone’s mind and/or body to be.
How are self-advocates across the United States celebrating Disability Pride?
July 5, 2022 - Earn Money By Doing Plain Language Projects
A Webinar for Self-Advocacy Groups
Learn how your group can make money with your knowledge of Easy Read and plain language formats! This webinar will talk about how to make money through focus groups, translation, and writing.
Click here for an audio recording of the training. Click here for the slides.
June 30, 2022 - New Vaccine Resources Made by Self-Advocates
Three states shared videos and other resources they made to encourage people to get the shot.
How Covid-19 Affected My Life by Self Advocacy Solutions and Southwest Institute for Families and Children
Vaccinated and Free videos by Florida Self-Advocates Network’D
Why It Was Important to Me videos by People First of Georgia
June 23, 2022 - Running for Office
Have you ever considered running for public office? Do you have a good reason to run for your town council or school board, even the state legislature? Join us to hear from several self-advocates who are or have run for public office.
June 21, 2022 - Laying Out Easy Read Materials
A Webinar for Self-Advocacy Groups
Learn how to use computer programs like InDesign or Illustrator
to format plain language and Easy Read documents.
June 16, 2022 - Pride Month
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network just released a new guide called Rights and Respect. We celebrated LGBTQ+ Pride month by providing an overview of this new resource that is written in plain language. Together we identified ways this resource can be used with local and state self-advocacy groups.
Click here for slides used during this session
Click here to get Proud and Supported resources created by ASAN
June 13, 2022 - Easy Read Icons
A Webinar for Self-Advocacy Groups
June 9, 2022 - Roe v. Wade
What is Roe v. Wade? What does it mean if the US Supreme Court overturns this decision? How will this change the way we get healthcare? The goal of this session is to present the facts in plain language. This is NOT a session for a political debate. We are committed to self-advocates understanding what is going on in our country.
June 7, 2022 - Writing Easy Read Content
A Webinar for Government and Non-Profits Agencies
Writing in Easy Read is different than writing in plain language.
Learn what makes Easy Read unique and important.
Learn how to write in Easy Read -- in this webinar!
June 2, 2022 - Grief
Dealing with a loss is hard. People with disabilities can be left out of the picture. Often people think we can't handle the deep emotions when someone dies. Here is an important opportunity to come up with ways our self-advocacy groups can help us all deal with loss.
May 26, 2022 - Leadership Training
State and local self-advocacy groups spend many hours teaching how to advocate and be a leader. Maine and Illinois described how they create opportunities for leaders to become stronger.
May 24, 2022 - Writing Easy Read Content
A Webinar for Self-Advocacy GroupsWriting in Easy Read is different than writing in plain language.
Learn what makes Easy Read unique and important.
Learn how to write in Easy Read.
May 12, 2022 - Intersectionality What Does That Mean?
It is about all the different ways a person experiences discrimination. So, for Tiffany, she might face discrimination because she has a disability, is Black, is gay and a woman.
May 10, 2022 - Plain Language
A Webinar for Government and Non-Profits AgenciesPlain language writing makes your work better -- and it's more accessible for people with disabilities and English language learners. Learn the ins and outs of plain language in this webinar.
May 5, 2022 - Covid-19: Where Are We At?
Join us to share your concerns. We will share information about getting a second booster shot? We will discuss what to think about when deciding about wearing a mask.
April 28, 2022 - What is Toastmasters?
Eric Treat from Arkansas received a Distinguished Speaker Award from Toastmasters. This group teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Eric will explain how they help him and others become more confident speakers.
April 25, 2022 - Overview of Accessible Formats
A Webinar for Government and Non-Profits AgenciesWhy write in accessible formats? What's the difference between plain language and Easy Read? What principles should everyone follow when writing in an accessible way? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this brief introductory webinar, with time for questions and answers
April 21, 2022 - What is Mental Health?
Max Barrows and Hasan Ko met with more than 40 self-advocates from at least 17 states to talk about mental health. We discussed - What helps? What does not work? For sure, something that works for 1 person may not work for others. We thank self-advocates for talking about this tough topic.
April 20, 2022 - Plain Language for Self-Advocates
April 14, 2022 - How Self-Advocates Help Their Peers Make Supported Decision-Making Agreements
Chester Finn
April 7, 2022 - Dealing with an Active Shooter Event
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is creating a new resource about dealing with an active shooter event. During this SARTAC Zoom session, peer leaders shared their questions and concerns.
March 31, 2022 - Covid-19 Town Hall
March 24, 2022 - Self-Advocacy & Self-Determination
March 10, 2022 - Peer 2 Peer Support in Connecticut
March 3, 2022 - How To Use An At-Home Covid-19 Test
February 24, 2022 - Getting a New Job
February 17, 2022 - Is Your Love Life in Jeopardy?
February 3, 2022 - Taking Charge in Hard Times: Self-Determination During Covid
January 27, 2022 - Right 2 Ride by The Self-Advocacy Association of New York State
January 20, 2022 - Covid-19 Question and Answer Session with the Vermont Health Department
Eve Dolkart - VT Health Departmen Health Equity and Community Engagement Team. And Susan Kamp - VT Health Department Director of Physical Activity, Nutrition & Women’s Health
There is a lot to know about Omicron and how to stay safe. Self-advocates requested this session to get answers to burning questions regarding Covid-19. Click here to get the January 2022 Plain Language Update on Covid-19.
January 13, 2022 - Support LGBTQ+
Click here to get the PowerPoint Slides
Click here to review the Recording of this Session
January 6, 2022 - Omicron Update with Slides in Plain Language
Testing For Covid (slides 4 - 8)
What To Do If You Are Positive (slides 9 -12)
What Is A Variant Or Mutation? (slides 13 - 16)
Omicron Is A Type of Covid (slides 7 - 21)
Vaccine and Booster Shots - Why Should I Get It (slides 22 -27)
Click here to get the PowerPoint Slides
December 23, 2021 - Ken Capone Equal Employment Act
Ken Capone, Public Policy Coordinator and self-advocate for People on the Go of Maryland had a bill named after him. The bill ends subminimum wage in the state. Ken joined this meeting to tell us about how he made this happen.
Click here to review a recording of this session
December 16, 2021 - TechKnowledgeMe: Connecting through Video Conferencing
5 New Videos by Self-Advocacy Association of New York State
- # 1 What is video conferencing? Why do we do it? Overview
- # 2 How to Join a Video Conference
- # 3 Etiquette/Participation
- # 4 How to get or manage your links
- # 5 Virtual self-advocacy
Click here for a recording of this session Click here to get the 5 videos
December 2, 2021 - Where to get the facts about Omicron. Staying calm as we wait for answers.
There is a new kind of Covid-19 called Omicron.
What Is A Variant Or Mutation?
Click here for slides explaining mutations and variants.
Click here for a recording of this session
November 18, 2021 - Supported Decision Making: How is it the same or different than Alternatives to Guardianship?
Why Guardianship Should Be The Last Resort.
Supported Decision Making
Alternatives To Guardianship.
Click here to get the PowerPoint
November 4, 2021 - Connecting Youth to Self-Advocacy Groups
Tips from leaders of state self-advocacy organizations on ways to welcome youth into the self-advocacy movement.
Click here to get the PowerPoint
October 28, 2021 - Self-Advocacy Skill-Share: GMSA will share their favorite activities!
SARTAC shared activities, such as the Dating Game & Rocks Activity, that participants can take and do within their states with their self-advocacy organizations.
Click here to get the PowerPoint
Click here to the Dating Game Script and Instructions
October 21, 2021 - How To Be A Self-Advocate Consultant
Get advice on how to work as a professional advocate.
How much should you charge to speak?
How do you figure out the time you need to prepare?
How will it impact my benefits?
Click here to get the PowerPoint
October 14, 2021 - How To Advocate for Yourself When Around People Who Are NOT Vaccinated
It can be hard to stand up for yourself when around someone who has not gotten or will not get their COVID-19 shot.
Here are some tips on ways to advocate for your safety or find ways to stay safe around those who are not vaccinated
Click here to get a handout on How To Advocate During COVID-19
Click here to review a recording of this webinar
September 23, 2021 - Preparing for Emergencies
Signing up for Emergency Alerts in your state
Making a list of contact information to use during an emergency
Talking to people in your life & planning where you can go if you have to leave your home
We facilitated small group discussions on what should be in your To Go Bag and what you need if you were stuck at home without power for 3 days
Click here to review the slides used for this session.
September 16, 2021 - Legislative Update from the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
Congress is working on another big spending bill to help the country recover from the pandemic.
Get the facts from Julia Bascom, executive director, Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) autisticadvocacy.org
Click here to review the slides used for this session.
September 9, 2021 - Peer Mentoring
Peer Mentors are professionals with an intellectual or developmental disability trained to provide services to their peers. This short video describes a peer mentoring program in Detroit Michigan.
SARTAC facilitated small group discussions on the importance of and ways to promote peer mentoring.
Click here to review a short video on peer mentoring.
September 2, 2021 - Delta Variant and Boosters Update
It is important to know about COVID-19 variants. Some kinds of COVID-19 are easier to get.
Some kinds of COVID can make people sicker than others.
Learn about COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.
Click here to get the PowerPoint
August 26, 2021 - Working with your Support Staff
People with disabilities have problems finding and keeping support staff. SARTAC members will talk about natural and paid supports and how they play a role in their lives.
Click here to get the PowerPoint
August 23, 2021 - How Self-Advocates Define “Who’s in Control” of Community Services
Who’s in control of our services? How can we keep support workers from taking over our lives? What does self-determination look like? These important questions can be hard to answer. ASAN and self-advocates came up with questions to find out who’s in control. Get a sneak peek at this new resource!
Click here to get the PowerPoint
August 16, 2021 - What Can You Do as a Citizen to Educate Legislators?
Chester Finn
Emily Rogers
Learn the different levels of involvement
How do you get involved in public policy as an advocate?
Meeting with your legislators
Click here to get the PowerPoint
August 12, 2021 - How to make Easy Read resources
This presentation will help you write in Easy Read, an accessible format that uses pictures and easy-to-understand language. This presentation is based on a new guide made by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Creating resources in Easy Read helps make sure that all people with disabilities have the tools we need to understand and speak out about policy that affects our lives.
Click here to get the PowerPoint
Click here to get the Toolkit
August 9, 2021 - Sharing Your Story for a Political Purpose
Our stories are powerful political tools, and we can use them to make real change. Hearing a person talk about a policy problem gives policymakers a name and face to remember. Make sure they remember your story — and make the changes you want — with a toolkit made by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), “Sharing Your Story For a Political Purpose.”
Click here to get the PowerPoint
Click here to get the Toolkit
August 2, 2021 - Civil Rights Lawsuit about Housing
Mary has a disability. She is not able to open and close her apartment door. Learn how she worked with her local Fair Housing Office to get the accommodations she needs to go in and out of her apartment.
Click here to get the PowerPoint
July 29, 2021 - Moving To Another State
Many people with disabilities have a dream to move to another state. There are so many things to think about. Will I lose my benefits? How do I get services? Get advice from self-advocates who have made the big move.
Click here to get the PowerPoint
Click here to view this Zoom session
July 22, 2021 - ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act
SABE - Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered facilitates a discussion and celebration of 30 years of advocacy for the ADA, the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Click here to get the PowerPoint
Click here to view this Zoom session
July 15, 2021 - A Plain Language Guide About Ableism & Violence
SARTAC partners made a booklet about ableism and violence. We wrote it for people with disabilities to understand ableism. Ableism may be a new word to many people. Often we hear people use academic words to describe ableism. It is important for people with disabilities to be able to explain ableism. We need to understand how it is connected to violence.
Click here to get the PowerPoint
Click here for the booklet ( the booklet will be posted in August 2021)
July 1, 2021 - Let's Talk About Sex! For Self-Advocates and BY SELF-ADVOCATES
SARTAC hosted a conversation with and BY self-advocates about ongoing issues they face expressing their sexuality and having relationships.
Click here to get the PowerPoint
Click here to find other resources on sexuality
June 24, 2021 - Affordable and Accessible Housing
Click here to get the PowerPoint
Click here to view this Zoom session
June 21, 2021 - The OLMSTEAD Decision: Disability Civil Rights
Click here to get the PowerPoint
Click here to view this Zoom session
June 17, 2021 - LGBTQIA: The Rights Of People With Disabilities
SARTAC celebrates Gay Pride Month.
Self-Advocates who identify as LGBTQ+ led the discussion
Click here to get the PowerPoint
Click here to view this Zoom session
June 14, 2021 - TeleHealth
Click here to get the PowerPoint
Click here to view this Zoom session
June 10, 2021 - Poetry Fest and Share your Favorite Grilling Recipe
Okay - you asked for these topics! Bring your favorite poem to share. If it is one you wrote even better! AND if poetry is not your thing - bring your favorite summer grilling recipe
Click here to view this Zoom session
May 24, 2021 - Communication Devices
What is AAC or Augmentative & Alternative Communication? How do we talk with people who use AAC? By Donnie Denome and Cole Sorensen.
May 20, 2021 - Self-Advocacy & Healthcare
On a personal level, doctors need to know all about your life. They need to know your strengths to give you good advice about being healthy. As a group, self-advocates are learning about health disparities. We are speaking up so people with disabilities get the healthcare they need.
Click here to get the PowerPoint
Click here to view this zoom session
May 17, 2021 - How I Use Technology Today
Self-Advocates talked about how they use technology in their lives to be more independent.May 10, 2021 - How to Report Abuse
Click here for the PowerPoint
Click for Peer to Peer Guide about Abuse
Click for Learn How to Become a Peer Supporter of a Person who was Abused
April 29, 2021 - Parenting with a Disability
Meet TASP - The Association for Successful Parenting. They support families when parents have intellectual disabilities. TASP works to make sure everyone, regardless of age, income, race, sexual orientation, background, or learning difficulties has a chance to parent.
Click here to get the PowerPoint
Click here to get more information
April 26, 2021 - People First Wisconsin
Cindy Bentley is the executive director of People First of Wisconsin. They run the Self-Determination Youtube channel. Learn about this powerful state self-advocacy organization.
Video: In the Spotlight | Black History Month | A conversation on race
Video: Cindy Bentley Shares Her Story | Self-Determination |
April 8, 2021 - Plain Language
Learn how your self-advocacy group can make plain language materials
Click here to get the PowerPoint
Click here for more information about Plain Language
April 1, 2021 - Everyday Artists
William C. Brewer III is an artist and long-time fighter for self-advocacy. He is a self-employed artist at Utility Works, an open art studio shared with artists with and without disabilities.Click here for William's Everyday Artist Handbook
Click here to get his PowerPoint
March 29, 2021 - Diversity
We have questions about diversity to use with your group. Answers to these questions can help you learn what you are doing well. They identify what you can do better to support people with disabilities from many cultural groups.
March 25, 2021 - VT LEND Program
VT LEND is a 1-year college program. It is a disability Leadership Training program at the University of Vermont. It is remote. You can participate from anywhere in the country.
Click here for a recording of the presentation
Click here for the PowerPoint
Click here to get a 1-page flyer & how to apply
March 18, 2021 - Working at the Capitol in DC
An Autistic Person’s Guide to Hillternships. Grace Hart created a guidebook for interning on Capitol Hill. Capitol Hill is where the laws that impact our lives are made. It is critical that we become a larger part of the legislative process.
Click here for a recording of the presentation
Click here for the PowerPoint
March 15, 2021 - The "I" in IEP
Ashley Mabry created videos and other resources to teach students to be self-advocates in their own Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.Click here to find all of Ashley's videos and resources
Click here to listen to her presentation
March 8, 2021 - ABLE Accounts
Chris Blake from Connecticut explains how to choose, set up, and use an ABLE account in your state. Chris believes having an ABLE account gives you more freedom and independence, and increases your ability to learn, grow and be your own person.Click here to get Chris' PowerPoint
Click here to listen to Chris' presentation
Click here to get all of Chris' materials about Able Accounts
March 4, 2021 - "Disabled I AM" Social Media Project
Timotheus “T.J.” Gordon, Jr. has a project Disabled I AM. People use photos and social media to talk about their disability identity. It creates a discussion on the connection between disability and other identities, like race, gender, and more.
March 4, 2021 – Click here to get a PowerPoint about his project
March 4, 2021 – Click here to view a recording of TJ presenting
February 25, 2021 - Legislative Action in Washington State
Self-Advocates are speaking up to eliminate sub-minimum wages for people with disabilities and to close institutions.
People First of Washington and SelfAdvocates in Leadership 2021 Legislative Agenda
Alliance in Advocacy Fact Sheet & Priorities
February 18, 2021 - New Law "The Sex Education Act For People With DD"
Illinois Self-Advocacy Alliance describes how they got this law passed. It supports the right to sex education and the right to be free from sexual exploitation and abuse.
Click here for the PowerPoint used for this presentation
February 11, 2021 - Making Your Own Vision Board
Shameka Andrews - SANYS Community Outreach Coordinator
A dream board or vision board is a collage of images, pictures, and words of one's dreams and desires, designed to serve as a source of inspiration and motivation. Vision Board Handout
February 15, 2021 - Marriage Penalty
The Marriage Penalty is a cut in SSI benefits for people who are married. Self-advocates from Maine explain a new federal bill that would eliminate the Marriage Penalty.
February 8, 2021 - Three Civil Rights Movements
We explored what the African American, LGBTQ, and Self-Advocacy Movements have in common.
Civil Rights Movements Powerpoint
Information from the booklet Our Common History: Fighting for the Rights of People.
1/28/21, 2/1/21, and 2/4/21 - How Civil Rights Groups Make Change Happen
Tactics are activities that groups use to get our country to change. Here are 3 handouts:
1. Using the courts to get things changed
2. Passing Laws to get our country to change
3. How Marches & Protests demand change
January 25, 2021 - Self-Advocacy Civil Rights Movement
This session describes the history of the Self-Advocacy Movement.
History of the Self-Advocacy Movement Handout
Information from the booklet Our Common History: Fighting for the Rights of People.
January 21, 2021 - LGBTQ Civil Rights Movement
Click here to get the PowerPoint used to discuss the history of the LGBTQ movement.
Information from the booklet Our Common History: Fighting for the Rights of People.
January 14, 2021 - Self-Advocacy
What Does It Mean To Be A Self-Advocate?
January 6 and 11, 2021
Self-Advocates Statement About the Transition of Power & DC Events
Self-Advocates Statement About the Transition of Power & DC EventsJanuary 4, 2021 - African American Civil Rights Movement
Click here to get the PowerPoint on the history of the African American Civil Rights movement.
Information from the booklet Our Common History: Fighting for the Rights of People.