| Self Advocacy | Political Advocacy |

SELF ADVOCACY

VT Self Advocacy Organizations

The Center on Disability & Community Inclusion: Located at The University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont, is part of a national network of developmental disabilities programs established to support individuals with disabilities and their families.
Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council: The Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council is a consumer directed planning and advocacy organization working on systems change issues. The Council is primarily concerned with the community based service system that provides supports to people with developmental disabilities and their families. With the exception of information and referral services, the Council does not provide direct services to individuals.
Vermont Center for Independent Living
Vermont's Department of Aging and Disabilities Advocacy Links

Legal Assistance for NH & VT

New Hampshire

Civil Practice Clinic: Landlord/Tenant, Consumer, Family Problems Concord, NH (603) 225-3350
New Hampshire Pro Bono Free Legal Services to Low-Income Persons (603) 224-6934 or 1-800-639-5290
Legal Advice & Referral Center 1-800-639-5290 or (603) 224-3333
New Hampshire Legal Assistance Branch Offices:

• Berlin (603) 752-1102 or 1-800-548-1886
• Claremont (603) 542-8795 or -800-562-3994
• Littleton, (603) 444-8000 or 1-800-548-1886
• Manchester,(603) 668-2900 or1-800-562-3174
• Portsmouth,(603) 431-7411 or 1-800-334-3135

Senior Citizens Law Project Senior Advice Line: Free Civil Legal Services for Clients over 65. (603) 624-6000 or 1-888-353-9944.

Vermont

Client Assistance Program: An independent advocacy program, offering free and confidential services. You are eligible if you are applying for or receiving services from the following agencies: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR); Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI); Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL); Vermont Association of Business, Industry, & Rehabilitation (VABIR); Supported Employment; or.Transition Programs. Call CAP if you need help, have questions or need information, have been turned down by any of these agencies, think things are taking too long, have trouble communicating with your counselor, or are not getting the services you need. 1-800-769-6728 (TTY/Voice) or (802) 748-8721 (TTY/Voice)

Disability Law Project: provides legal assistance, without charge, to people with disabilities whose legal problems arise from their disability. Provide assistance in matters such as abuse and neglect, special education, guardianship, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, accessibility, discrimination (employment, housing, government services, private business) and access to assistive technology. 1-800-769-9164.

Senior Citizen Law Project: Part of Legal Aid. Has a list of attorneys who will do wills and durable power of attorney for reduced fees. Call 1-800-747-5022.

South Royalton Legal Clinic (part of the Vermont Law School (802) 763-7118.

Vermont Volunteer Lawyers Project is free legal services for low-income families provided by private attorneys 1-800-639-8857

Vermont Legal Aid helps low income Vermonters who have legal problems, including those with disabilities and health care issues including Medicaid for adults and children, Medicare, nursing home care, home health services, and mental health. Does not handle criminal cases. There is no charge for services. Call 1-800-747-5022 for Legal Aid Office closest to you.

POLITICAL ADVOCACY

LOBBYING TECHNIQUES - In order to be effective, it's important to understand the basics of how to present your issue(s) to national and state representatives. Listed below are a variety of sites which will provide you with the tools to be an empowered advocate.

Effective Lobbying Techniques and Resources

Lobbying Tips for Women

Summary prepared by Mary Ann Barton, Executive Director, New Hampshire Women's Lobby.

NATIONAL

Thomas

In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, this is a service of the U.S. Congress through its library. Thomas covers all of the action on the Hill-from a bill draft to the signing by the President.

US House of Representatives

Write Your Representative

US Senate

Write Your Senator

Write Your Congress Member

STATE

New Hampshire

NH Legislative Home Page

Using this site, you will be able to: determine who your state representatives are, which committee they serve on, and how to contact them; e-mail representatives; and obtain up to date information on the status of bills.

Legal and Financial Planning
New Hampshire Legal Assistance. Provides free legal advice to low income and elderly people. Branch offices are as follows:

• Berlin 752-1102 or 1-800-698-8969
• Concord 224-3333 or 1-800-634-8989
• Claremont 542-8795 or 1-800-562-3994
• Manchester 668-2900 or 1-800-562-3174
• Portsmouth 431-7411 or 1-800-334-3135

Vermont

VT Legislative Home Page

Using this site, you will be able to: determine who your state representatives are, which committee they serve on, and how to contact them; e-mail representatives; and obtain up to date information on the status of bills.

Legal Assistance

Legal and Financial Planning
Vermont Volunteer Lawyers Project (Law Line of Vermont) 1-800-639-8857
Vermont Ethics Network (802) 828-2909
Vermont Legal Aid, State Wide 1-800-889-2947
Vermont Legal Aid, Burlington 1-800-747-5022
Vermont Legal Aid, Montpelier 1-800-789-4195
Vermont Legal Aid, Rutland 1-800-769-7459
Vermont Legal Aid, Springfield 1-800-769-9164
Vermont Legal Aid, St. Johnsbury 1-800-769-6728
Vermont Legal Aid, Waterbury (mental health only) 1-800-265-0660
Health Care Ombudsman (For questions about Health Care HMO's) 1-800-917-7787 or (802) 862-2316
Health Care Insurance Consumer Services 1-800-631-7788 or (802) 828-2900