2007 DAWN Grassroots Advocacy Grants

The goal of DAWN grassroots advocacy grants is to increase the number of people with disabilities and/or their family members in doing advocacy activities in their community: Activities that will make a difference in the quality of community life for people with disabilities. It provides an opportunity for people with disabilities and/or family members to be leaders in the disability advocacy movement and to start local advocacy groups

• Memo [In PDF]
• Background Information [In PDF]
• Proposal Instructions and Application [In PDF] or [In Word]
• Sample Grant [In PDF] or [In Word]

As a result of the grants, the WCDD anticipates some of the following changes:

1. Increase the number of people with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities and/or other family members who take leadership roles in organizing their peers to work on local, state, and county issues.
2. Increase the membership and/or number of advocacy activities of a consumer-led group/organization that works toward improving policies, programs and funding for people with disabilities.
3. Increase the number of people with disabilities and their families who develop a relationship with their legislators and other policy-makers about issues of personal importance.
4. Increase the number of people with disabilities and/or their families who effectively tell their stories in the media or get media coverage of current disability issues.
5. Increase the number of people with disabilities who register and vote.
6. Improve the policies, practices and funding at the state, county and school district level for people with disabilities and their families.
7. Increase the number of people with disabilities and their families who utilize computers and other technology in order to advocate more effectively.

Grants of between $500 and $5,000 will be available for activities starting January 15, 2007 and ending December 31, 2007. People with disabilities and/or their family members are eligible for the grants. Priority will be given to people with developmental disabilities and their families as defined in federal law. Individuals, agencies and organizations are invited to work with consumers in developing and implementing a DAWN grant. Proposals are due on December 14, 2006 by 4:30 PM.

Proposals are due to WCDD offices no later than December 14, 2006 by 4:30 p.m.

Grant applications are available from:
WCDD
200 West Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-7826 (voice)
(608) 266-6660 (TDD/TTY)
(608) 267-3906 (fax).

Contact for more information about grants:

John Shaw
Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities
(608) 266-7707
(608) 266-6660 (TDD/TTY)
E-mail: shawj2@dhfs.state.wi.us