A panel of advocates will share examples of how they influenced change at the local, state, and national levels and within their physical therapy practice settings. This facilitated discussion will highlight the ups and downs of the advocacy journey and how persistence, dedication, and keeping the end goal in mind can ultimately lead to positive change.

This webinar takes the basics of advocacy to the next level so that attendees can begin to lead local, regional, and national advocacy efforts. The presenters will share tips and resources to help empower others, including patients/clients and their families to become self-advocates. Attendees will learn how to educate stakeholders to advocate for themselves and to build powerful grassroots networks in their geographic region.  By the end of this webinar, attendees will learn how to craft their own advocacy message related to their area of practice.

Session learning objectives

The learner will be able to:
1. Illustrate the legislative process to the general public/patient or caregiver
2. Detect minority health groups that would benefit from assistance with advocating for themselves
3. Demonstrate to a patient/caregiver who, where and how to contact the appropriate channels to address their needs 
4. Express their own message to advocate in their own geographical region

Understanding and navigating the world of legislation and advocacy can be complex. In this webinar, the presenters will provide an introduction to advocacy and tools that physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students can use immediately to influence change. The presenters will describe the difference between legislation and regulations at the state and federal levels and how citizens can advocate at each of these levels. By the end of this webinar, attendees will learn how to create a grassroots advocacy network and craft their own advocacy message that can be used in their own geographical region.

Session learning objectives The learner will be able to:

• Recognize the difference in state and federal legislation
• Recognize the difference in legislation and regulatory policies
• Identify how organizational policies, bylaws, and position statements are made 
• Identify grass roots advocacy opportunities and ways they can become engaged in any area that interests them
• Express their own message to advocate in their own geographical region