DAWN Advocacy Training Videos

Video 1: Doing Advocacy From the DAWN Website

June 17, 2007

Woman: Welcome to "Doing Advocacy: Contacting Your Legislators From the DAWN Website." In this video, we'll show you how easy it is to contact your Wisconsin legislators through email or on the phone.

The first thing you do is just go to the DAWN home page. You'll see a new addition on our page, a bright box that says "Take Action" in the red bar on top, and there you'll see listed the current bills that are of importance to people with disabilities. Just look for the ones that interest you and click on the blue. For example, Joint Assembly Bill 17 is about requiring photo IDs to vote.

When you select the bill that matters to you, the system automatically takes you to CapWiz. CapWiz is a new feature that will let you write email messages quickly and easily. There are three parts on this page. First, there is a brief explanation of the bill. Second, there is a place where you can compose your message. In this example there is an introduction that we have already written for you.

Then, to make it personal, you have space to send your own message. In this example, again, we have talking points on the side. If you want to use those, you simply cut and paste them below the introduction. If you don't want to use those, that's fine, you can write a personal message about why this bill matters to you.

The third thing, at the bottom--and it's very important--is to put in your sender information, your name, address, and zip code. With this, the system will know exactly which legislator should get the message, and when the legislators get it, they will know that you're a voter in their district.

If you would rather make a personal call to your legislator, you can choose the "Phone Call" option once you're in CapWiz, and it will take you to this page. This page will give you your legislator's direct line. It also gives some talking points to help you organize what you're going to say, and then there's a place at the end, if you would please let us know how the call went.

Now that you see how easy it is to contact your legislators, please give it a try. Let them know what matters to you. If you have questions about doing advocacy through the DAWN website, you can email us: DAWN@DawnInfo.org. You can call us: in the Madison area it's 266-7826, toll free, it's 888-332-1677, and if you use a telecommunications device, the number is 608-266-6660. Thanks.