What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is the act of promoting a cause or policy aimed at supporting the needs and interests of an individual or a group of people with common interests. It is often employed to draw attention to or educate a policymaker on a specific topic, such as primary immunodeficiency (PI). By advocating to elected officials and regulators, you can engage in the creation and implementation of laws that are important to PI community. It is not necessary to be a professional lobbyist to influence how policy and legislation are created. Advocacy often entails building relationships with policymakers and, if successful, will alter existing policy and inspire the creation of new policies and programs as well.
Why Advocate?
The importance of individuals from the PI community engaging in advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels cannot be overstated. When people like you get involved in the legislative or regulatory process through advocacy, you not only personalize an issue but also make lawmakers and regulators aware of the unique needs of individuals with PI. Utilizing personal experiences and factual information surrounding a certain issue can help influence key decision-makers and aid them in better serving constituents across the country. IDF can provide guidance, resources, information and advice for successful advocating to legislatures and agencies, but really, it all starts with you.
Grassroots and Grasstops Advocacy
Learn the difference between grassroots and grasstops advocacy, and why it is important to have a balance of both when advocating for the PI community.
Ways to Advocate
Now that you are aware of how vital it is for members of the PI community to advocate, it’s time to discuss the avenues that individuals like you can utilize to make a difference. Click the link below for ways that members of the PI community can participate in both legislative and agency advocacy.
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