Research Summary 

Title: The phenomenon of legislative advocacy among parents of children with disabilities 

Purpose: Historically, parents of children with disabilities have spearheaded legislation for individuals with disabilities. However, little is known about the phenomenon of legislative advocacy among parents of children with disabilities. In this study, we examined legislative advocacy experiences as well as facilitators and barriers among parents of children with disabilities.  

Method: In this study, we conducted focus groups with 49 parents of children with disabilities in urban, suburban, and rural areas of one state. Focus groups were conducted in English and in Spanish.  

Findings:  

• Participants reported mixed experiences with legislative advocacy:  

• Positive: Some participants reported positive experiences with legislative advocacy which either yielded in help for their own individual advocacy need or in a bill which became a law.  
• Negative: Some participants reported the legislators refused to listen to their concerns.  
• No experience: Some participants reported no experience with legislative advocacy.  

• Participants reported a variety of strategies to conduct legislative advocacy including: building relationships; educating legislators about disability issues; engaging in collective advocacy; and including fathers in legislative advocacy.  
• Participants also reported barriers to legislative advocacy: disempowerment, lack of knowledge about special education and/or the legislative process, and feelings of being overwhelmed.  

For more information, see:  

Burke, M.M., Sandman, L., Perez, B., & O’Leary, M. (2018). The phenomenon of  

legislative advocacy among parents of children with disabilities. Journal of Research in  

Special Educational Needs, 18, 50-58. doi: 10.1111/1471-3802.12392