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HOW TO WRITE

• Advocacy Books and Resources - www.jik.com/advbks.html
• Independence, Inc. Resources Page/Advocacy Web Links
• Guidelines for Reporting and Writing About People With Disabilities
• Excerpts (below) from "Action Letter Portfolio: Writing Advocacy Letters That Work! "  
  GO DIRECTLY TO: Sample Letters edited by Glen White and Richard Thomson, © 1995

ADVOCACY LETTER CHECKLIST  

 I.    TASK ANALYSIS: Answer the five questions.

1. What was the main problem?

2. How did the problem directly affect me?

3. Who or what caused the problem?

4. Does this problem occur regularly, or did unusual circumstances cause it to happen this time?

5. Is there a law or regulation I can use to effect a desired change?

 II.    COMPONENTS OF THE LETTER

1. Is your letter dated in a timely manner?

2. Did you place the inside address with correct name, title, and address?

3. Did you use the appropriate name and/or title of the individual that you wish to read this letter?

4. Did you introduce yourself, giving pertinent information, and briefly tell why you are writing?

5. Did you explain in detail exactly what the problem was, how it affected you, when it occurred, and all parties involved in any of the processes you may have completed already?

6. Did the body of the letter present a convincing argument that a problem exists, and did you present the reader with convincing evidence that something should be done?

7. Did you close the letter cordially with a quick review of the problem and the hope that they will address your concerns?  Did you sign the letter?  Did you remember to place your address under your signature if you did not use letterhead stationary?

8. Did you notify them of any other persons that would receive a copy of your letter?

9. Remember to proofread for errors, make your changes, and make a copy for your records before mailing the letter.

III.    CHECK LIST FOR ACTION LETTERS

Did the letter...

• Contain a heading and salutation

• Identify the person to whom the letter is written

• Use a pleasant tone of voice

• Identify the problem

• Describe in detail all of the relevant aspects of the problem

• Tell when the problem occurred

• Tell where the problem occurred

• Tell who was or was not helpful in the situation

• Tell what needs to be done/offer a solution

• Cite relevant laws (ADA, Fair Housing, etc.)

• Contain an appropriate closing 

GO TO: SAMPLE LETTERS

 ADVOCACY GOAL / ACTION CHART

SUPPORT, ENCOURAGE, INCREASE, MAINTAIN, FACILITATE, HONOR.

• #2      Personally compliment favorable action.

• #7      Provide public support.

• #8      Arrange a celebration.

• #14    Remind those responsible.

• #21    Offer public education.

• #23    Volunteer to help.

• #26    Conduct a petition drive.

• #27    Conduct a letter-writing campaign.

STUDY, DOCUMENT, INVESTIGATE, CLARIFY. 

• #3      Document evidence of a complaint.

• #5      Establish a formal communication mechanism.

• #6      Request justifications.

• #10    Gather more information.

• #12    Watchdog decision process.

• #19    Conduct a study.

• #20    Develop a proposal.

• #23    Volunteer to help others.

• #24    Build a coalition.

• #25    Develop a consensus between groups.

AVOID OR PREVENT NEGATIVE CONDITIONS.

• #1      Postpone action.

• #4      Personally criticize unfavorable action.

• #6      Request formal justification.

• #11    Request participation.

• #12    Watchdog decision process.

• #13    Provide corrective feedback.

• #14    Remind those responsible.

• #15    Make an informal complaint.

• #16    Seek a mediator/negotiator.

• #21    Offer public education.

• #22    Conduct *service audits.

• #24    Build a coalition.

• #25    Develop a consensus between groups.

• #28    Seek enforcement of existing laws, policies, regulations, and ordinances.

CREATE OR DEVELOP NEW OPTIONS, PROGRAMS OR SERVICES; IMPROVE.

•  #2     Compliment favorable action.

• #3      Document evidence of a complaint.

• #5      Establish formal communication mechanism.

• #11    Request participation in planning.

• #12    Watchdog decision process.

• #16    Seek a mediator/negotiator.

• #19    Conduct a study.

• #20    Develop a proposition

• #21    Offer public education.

• #23    Volunteer to help.

• #24    Build a coalition.

• #25    Develop consensus between groups.

• #26    Conduct a petition drive.

• #27    Conduct a letter writing campaign.

• #28    Seek enforcement of existing laws, policies, or regulations.

• #29    Seek enactment of new laws, policies, or regulations.

• #31    Establish an alternative system.

 OPPOSE, STOP, DECREASE, ELIMINATE, REVERSE.

• #4      Personally criticize an unfavorable action.

• #6      Request formal justification.

• #9      Express opposition publicly.

• #13    Provide corrective feedback

• #15    Make an informal complaint.

• #16    Seek a mediator/negotiator.

• #17    File a formal complaint.

• #18    Initiate legal action.

• #22    Conduct service audits.

• #24    Build a coalition.

• #26    Conduct a petition drive.

• #27    Conduct a letter-writing campaign.

• #28    Seek enforcement of existing laws and policies.

• #30    Flood the system.

• #32    Organize passive *resistance.

• #33    Organize public demonstration.

• #34    Media expose'.

• #35    Organize a boycott.