This past weekend the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities hosted it's a third session of the first inaugural class for Kentucky Partners in Policymaking (KPIP) with 22 engaging participants. This past session, our focus was on assistive technology and smart homes for people with disabilities. On the second day, information was geared toward Person-Centered Planning. 

Partners in Policymaking is a national leadership training program teaching individuals with developmental disabilities and parents the skills to become community leaders and catalysts for systems change. Participants learn how to advocate for the best available services for themselves and others. This program identifies the current trends about disability issues and develops in participant’s leadership skills necessary to impact public policy at all levels of government.

The goal of Kentucky Partners in Policymaking (KPIP) is to accomplish productive partnerships between the people needing and utilizing services and those who form public policy. KPIP was founded on the belief that the most significant and lasting public policy decisions came from the efforts of those most affected by them, working together with public officials and policy experts. KPIP educates participants about present issues and best practices and teaches them about local, state and federal levels of legislative processes of policymaking. The program sessions cover and are dedicated to specific topics presented by nationally known experts in their fields. Topics include History of Disabilities & Services, Inclusive Education, Kentucky’s Legislative-Process, Social Engagement, Community Organizing, and Systems Change Advocacy.

Check out our Facebook to see highlights and photos from our first inaugural class!