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ASHA's Take Action Web site gives you all the tools you need to be a 5 minute advocate. Information is summarized in a few short, concise sentences to inform you about current legislation that can affect your job and the people you serve. Included is a standardized letter on all of ASHA's legislative issues. The letter can be sent as is, modified, or completely rewritten. Letters which contain some personal information on how the legislation specifically affects you or the students or patients that you serve have a greater impact. Any reference to your particular place of employment, such as the name of the school, hospital or clinic in which you work is helpful. You can send a letter to your Representative and Senators on the one issue that is most important to you or you can send a letter on every issue.
As the anthropologist Margaret Mead said, "Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has." ASHA's 127,000 members have the potential to be a strong force in the creation and amending of our nation's laws. Together we can be a strong coalition of advocates who achieve increased IDEA funding, enact legislation that allows SLPs in private practice to get paid for treating Medicare patients, and pass into law a tax credit for the cost of hearing aids. All it could take is 5 minutes from every ASHA member.
For more information on grassroots advocacy, please contact Deborah Darcy, Director of Grassroots Advocacy, via e-mail at ddarcy@asha.org or by phone at 800-498-2071, ext. 4427.
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