Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy groups provide a forum for clients to meet, become informed, and voice their opinions on the latest policies affecting the Lanterman community as well as personal issues. The groups also provide a positive social experience in which clients plan events together, sell t-shirts representing their groups and other activities.

The self-advocacy groups are a subset of the now defunct Community Advisory Councils for Lanterman Regional Center.

At least once a year, members from Self-Advocacy groups form focus groups that respond to specific issues the Regional Center would like input on. The following is a listing of the current active groups, however, if none of these are in your area, talk to your family, your residential care provider, or someone at the Regional Center about starting a group in your area.

Mid-Wilshire Self-Advocacy Group
Please note: This group is not currently meeting.

Lanterman Regional Center
3303 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700; Los Angeles
Monthly - First Monday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact: Armen Frundzhyan, 323.462.7300 or afrundzhyan75@netzero.net

The Achievers
1200 East Colorado Street; Glendale
Monthly - Third Monday, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact: Kevin Smith, 818.243.5485 or ksmith241@charter.net

Women's Advocacy Group
This is a group created by women, for women. It is open to all adult women with developmental disabilities who receive services from Lanterman Regional Center and offers advocacy and support, as well as socialization opportunities. The meeting format has changed and the group will be meeting at a different community program each month.  The meetings will be held at the following one-time meeting locations:

Contact: Mary Flynn, peer advocacte, 213.383.1300, x. 4974 or mflynn@lanterman.org

If you would like more information on Lanterman's self-advocacy groups, please contact the Koch-Young Resource Center at 213.383.1300, x. 5600, 800.546.3676, or kyrc@lanterman.org.

Consumer Advisory Committee
The Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) is a committee of the board of directors made up of no more than 10 and no less than five clients. There are currently nine members on the CAC. The committee also has a staff advisor. The CAC chairperson is a member of the board of directors. The group's responsibilities include providing input, advice and counsel on policies, services and programs for clients and families offered by Lanterman Regional Center. Committee members also assist in the monitoring and reivew of the performance of the Center within the designated regions. The group meets on the second Monday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at Lanterman Regional Center in the sixth floor board room. For more information contact MJ Kienast at 213.383.1300, x. 4910 or mkienast@lanterman.org.

For more information about the Consumer Advisory Committee, visit the Departmet of Developmental Services Web site at www.dds.ca.gov and select the "Consumer Corner" options to access information that includes:

• Information about the Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC).
• Materials developed by DDS and CAC committee for clients, families and professionals.
• Advocacy resources to help clients ensure their rights are protected.
• Links to other resources available to individuals with developmental disabilities

Visit the "Consumer Corner" portion of the DDS Web site at: http://www.dds.ca.gov/Consumer/Consumer_Home.cfm

Self-Advocacy Web Sites
Browse the following self-advocacy Web sites for additional information about self-advocacy efforts throughout the country and the world.

Advocating Change Together (ACT)
ACT is a 24-year-old self-advocacy disability rights organization run by and for people with developmental and other disabilities.

Center on Human Policy - Self Advocacy Section
This is a section on the Center on Human Policy Web site that houses a variety of information on self-advocacy and related issues.

PeopleFirst
This site offers links to the PeopleFirst international self-advocacy groups as well as other groups and information about self-advocacy.

Updated June 26, 2007