From 2019-2025, Think College National Coordinating Center and the Association for University Centers on Disability (AUCD) partnered to offer Think College Policy Advocates (TCPA) Training – an opportunity for teams comprised of college students with intellectual disability and a college program staff to learn together about disability policy and advocacy.
The grant that supported this program is ending and therefore TCPA Training is currently suspended.
We are actively seeking alternative funding sources for this valuable training and if funding is secured, we look forward to offering this opportunity again.
What is Think College Policy Advocates Training?
- Think College Policy Advocates Training offers over a dozen hours of training and coaching both virtually and in-person in Washington DC. In-person components are often provided during the annual Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) Annual Conference or another event scheduled by AUCD and Think College.
- The curriculum was developed and is taught by AUCD staffers Denise Rozell, Director of Policy Innovation, Liz Weintraub, Senior Advocacy Specialist, and Caroline Jurisich, Policy Specialist.
- Training covers the basics of advocacy, information about the US Congress and the federal government structure, and discussions on current federal issues of importance to people with disabilities, including inclusive postsecondary education opportunities. The training also teaches skills and strategies to use to make the most of meetings with representatives in Congress.
- The training culminates in visits to Capitol Hill where each participant meets with Congressional members and their staff about issues that matter to them.
