Putting Social Advocacy Skills Into Action: Writing A Propos

Putting Social Advocacy Skills Into Actionwriting A Proposal That Func

Putting Social Advocacy Skills into Action Writing a proposal that functions as a focus of change is a significant part of being a social worker/policy advocate. This is your opportunity to use your advocacy skills to change and improve the lives of others. In this Assignment, you write a proposal for some form of social advocacy that will seek to change a social, organizational, or legislative policy. The proposal may also involve advocacy for the amelioration of a social problem. The purpose of this assignment is to thoughtfully and thoroughly plan how you will advocate changing a social problem or policy that is of interest to you.

The policy practice/advocacy can take whatever form you wish and can be on any level: agency, community, state, or federal. You will submit a prospectus (3–4 pages) that describes the problem that is being addressed and the expected advocacy activities. You are expected to carry out the activities planned in this proposal and will present on your actions and outcomes in the Week 10 Final Project assignment.

By Day 7, provide a brief synopsis of your social problem and identify a policy—specifically related to disabilities—that focus on for your advocacy project. Describe the social problem or policy you would like to change, and the specific action you plan to take to effect change. Be specific when describing the social problem or policy, and address the following: if you selected a policy, when was it enacted, by whom, and for what reason? How are you going to work to change the policy/problem (i.e., plan for social advocacy)? How will your efforts address the policy/social problem described? Is continued policy practice/advocacy needed to make a long-term impact? Why or why not?

The prospectus will need to be well researched and written using APA guidelines. Data should come from at least five sources. Make sure that your assertions are supported by appropriate research and reputable resources. References should include sources such as Jansson (2018) and Plummer et al. (2014), among others.

Paper For Above instruction

The social issue I have chosen to address is the inadequate policy support for individuals with disabilities, specifically focusing on the enforcement and expansion of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Enacted in 1990 by Congress and signed into law by President George H. W. Bush, the ADA was designed to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities and to promote equal opportunities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, and access to government services (United States Department of Justice, 2020). Despite its robust framework, gaps remain in implementation, especially at the local and state levels, resulting in persistent barriers for people with disabilities to fully participate in society.

The social problem I plan to address stems from these implementation gaps. Research indicates that many public facilities are not fully accessible, employment opportunities remain limited, and societal attitudes continue to hinder inclusion (Lindsay et al., 2019). These systemic barriers perpetuate inequality and marginalization, violating the principles of social justice central to social work practice. The policy’s original intent—to promote accessibility and non-discrimination—has not been fully realized in practice. The specific action I plan to undertake involves advocating for stricter enforcement mechanisms and additional funding to ensure compliance at the local level.

My advocacy strategy includes engaging with local government officials, disability rights organizations, and community stakeholders to raise awareness about enforcement issues. I will prepare policy briefs that detail empirical evidence and case examples illustrating the gaps in current ADA implementation. I intend to organize community forums to gather public support and foster dialogue among stakeholders. Additionally, I will campaign for legislative amendments that provide clearer penalties for non-compliance and allocate resources for enforcement agencies.

This advocacy effort aligns with social work principles of promoting social justice and human rights. It involves policy analysis, community organizing, and direct engagement with policymakers—core components outlined in Jansson (2018). By documenting the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities and advocating for targeted policy changes, I aim to contribute to systemic reforms that foster greater inclusion. Continued advocacy is necessary to sustain pressure on policymakers, monitor enforcement, and promote long-term social change. Without ongoing engagement, policy gaps may persist, perpetuating inequality.

In conclusion, addressing the enforcement gaps in the ADA requires a multifaceted advocacy approach engaging multiple stakeholders. Long-term success depends on persistent effort to hold policymakers accountable and secure adequate resources for enforcement. This project will serve as a foundation for future initiatives aimed at transforming policies to better serve individuals with disabilities, ensuring that principles of equity and justice are translated into tangible societal changes.

References

• Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice to social justice (8th ed.). Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.
• Lindsay, S., McDougall, C., & McKenzie, B. (2019). Accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities: A review of policy and practice. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 29(3), 123-132.
• Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (2014). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing.
• United States Department of Justice. (2020). Disability rights: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). https://www.ada.gov/