Coalition Building

Independent living centers build local partnerships and coalitions to improve community outreach and education. Centers have to work with others to accomplish goals that are personal, that exist at your jobs, or that have been developed by NYAIL and other groups.

SSAN Requirements – Number 1 is “local partnerships and coalitions established by the SSAN center each quarter, with a year-end requirement of 5 local partnerships or coalitions established.

Framework questions for developing coalitions:

1. What issues are important to you, your center, consumers, co-workers and the community?
2. How often do you read or work on the annual goals of your center as outlined in the Yearly ACCES-VR goals developed by your Executive Director?
3. As you work on short and long term goals, to whom do you turn regularly for help?  Who do you trust?
4. Think about your past coalitions and collaborations that were successful.  Which ones come to mind?  (For me – Southern Tier Special Education Task Force, Broome County Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee, Para-transit Appeals Committee, Transportation Advocacy Group, among others.)  Are you still working with these groups or individuals?  How often do you communicate?
5. Who in your community or region would you like to meet? Who generates good press coverage?
6. Who invites you to their meetings and why?  What role do you fill when you attend?  Who are your natural partners?  (For example, the local League of Women Voters cares about disability voting rights and accessible polling places.)

Community Organizing Activities and Strategies

Organizing communities and stakeholders is a key ingredient in advocating, recruiting volunteers and building strong coalitions for effective community outreach and education.  Click on the PowerPoint presentation for best practices for developing an advocacy strategy, identifying successful recruiting methods and how to broaden collaboration with your community.