Welcome to Partners in Policymaking

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Welcome to Partners!

Twenty years ago, the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities created a ground-breaking, innovative training program called Partners in Policymaking® to teach parents and self-advocates the power of advocacy to change the way people with disabilities are supported, viewed, taught, live and work. During the past two decades, important issues have been confronted and dramatic changes have been made.

20th Anniversary, 1987-2007, Partners in Policymaking

As Partners in Policymaking celebrates 20 years, it’s important to remember that the work is not finished and, in fact, never will be. At the first Partners class, Ed Roberts, a well-known disability rights activist, urged participants to take up the fight for the rights of people with disabilities. His words have stood the test of time and are as relevant today as two decades ago. Click here to view Ed Robert’s stirring call to action.

Since 1987, Partners programs have been implemented nationally and internationally. More than 15,000 Partners graduates are part of a growing national and international network of community leaders serving on policy making committees, commissions, and boards at all levels of government. We are also reaching thousands of people monthly through the online courses.

NEW! Ideas for Integrating Online Learning in Classroom Settings

Blending online learning with a classroom training program, homework assignments and skill-building activities helps create richer, more effective learning experiences. Many Partners Coordinators have asked for help integrating elements of the existing online courses into their sessions. We have identified a number of ways to use the online curriculum to enhance your classroom experience. You’ll find them in the These ideas are intended to be a starting point...once you delve into the courses—if you haven’t explored them already—you’ll find countless other ways to integrate online learning into the Partners program!

New Partners In Policymaking® E-Learning Courses

"Partners in Living" is a seven-hour self-directed e-learning course created to help people with developmental disabilities, their parents, family members and friends, educators and service providers understand the important concepts of self-determination, family support, community living and assistive technology. Go to www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/living to review the course. We would appreciate any comments and feedback. Please take a few minutes to fill out the feedback form within the course.

"Partners in Time" is an eight-hour self-directed e-learning course created to help people with developmental disabilities, their parents, family members and friends, educators and service providers understand the history of society's treatment of people with disabilities from ancient times through the present. Go to www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/history to review the course. We would appreciate any comments and feedback.

"Partners in Education" is a six-hour self-directed e-learning course to help parents with children with developmental disabilities better understand and maximize the benefits of special education services and inclusion for their children. Go to www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/education to review the course and give us your comments and feedback. The course has been updated to reflect IDEA 2004.

"Making Your Case" is a three-hour self-directed course on how to communicate with public officials by effectively telling your personal story, writing a letter, providing testimony, and communicating in positive ways. Go to www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/makingyourcase to review the course. Please take a moment to complete the evaluation. We welcome your comments and feedback. Click here to download a course outline for Making Your Case.

"Partners in Employment" is a six-hour self-directed course on how to find a job, write a resume, participate in an interview, and plan for your career. Go to www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/employment to take the course and give us your comments and feedback. Click here to download a course outline for Partners in Employment.

These e-learning courses are available to everyone!

PLEASE NOTE: There are NO registration fees for the "Partners in Living," "Partners in Time," "Partners in Education," "Making Your Case" or "Partners in Employment" e-learning courses.

GCDD is committed to your privacy when taking this e-learning course. Click here to review our Privacy Policy.

Partners Highlights

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