Core Services

Advocacy

Advocacy promotes the civil rights and equality of people with disabilities by influencing legislation and policy at all levels.

How We Advocate for You

Advocacy means working on, supporting or recommending a particular cause or policy. Our employees are very active in state, local, and national policies to make more places accessible. We have worked on adding truncated domes to sidewalks in Kansas City. These are the raised dots before a crosswalk that is used for blind/low-vision individuals to know when to stop prior to an intersection.

We worked with legislators in Missouri on the LEAD-K Bill, which ensures deaf and hard of hearing children in Missouri learn ASL and English in primary school.

The Whole Person has attended the Disability Rights Legislative Day at the Missouri State Capitol. We are always finding opportunities to speak with legislators about what matters most to YOU.

Types of Advocacy

Personal Advocacy

Individuals gain skills to address their own issues (self-advocacy).

Peer Advocacy

Individuals with shared goals support each other to achieve advocacy objectives.

Systems Advocacy

Communities collaborate to educate officials and influence legislation and policies.

Legal Advocacy

The Whole Person helps people understand their rights and connects them to the support they need.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990

The ADA, signed into law on July 26, 1990, ensures freedom and equality for people with disabilities. Join us every year in July to celebrate the ADA anniversary!

As the first comprehensive declaration of disability rights, it protects access to employment, public services (like transportation), and private establishments (e.g., restaurants, stores, and hotels).

Advocacy

Latest Advocacy News and Updates

The Whole Person advocation for the CAS Bill in Jefferson City
Missouri Takes an Important Step Forward for Communication Access
Missouri House Bill 1840 expands Communication Access Services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Missourians. Learn what the new law means.
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American Flag with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) across it.
Disability Pride Month: Celebrating Progress, Advocacy, and Independence
Celebrate Disability Pride Month with The Whole Person and join the ADA 36th Anniversary Celebration on July 24 as we honor progress, advocacy, and independent living.
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