Working towards a better future...
Through education, gathering resources, planning and community activism, we believe we can make Virginia a better state for deaf, hard of hearing and late-deafened people to live in, work in and to educate our deaf children in.
There are three types of advocacy to work in order for real change to happen:
Self Advocacy
Grassroots Advocacy
Legislative Advocacy
These three approaches all be used synergistically for real success. You must learn to advocate for yourself - requesting and obtaining interpreters and communication access diplomatically and following up if you are denied communication access during the course of civic engagement. Grassroots advocacy empassions the community towards working together and showing lawmakers and the general public the real and immediate need for change in this state. Without legislative advocacy - working towards creating and passing laws to protect our rights - the fight will continue.
Get involved! Gandhi told us to be the change you wish to see in the world - come join us and learn!