WEEKLY SEMINAR SERIES
THIS WEEK IN CT LEND
Seminar 8 - System Change: Advocacy
March 13, 2026
Trainees will explore the role of advocacy in systems change, including how civil rights laws, policy analysis, and direct engagement with legislators can advance equity and improve outcomes for individuals with developmental and other disabilities.
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Legislative Session
Trainees participate in an advocacy project that culminates in a visit to Connecticut legislators. Trainees work in groups to identify a systemic need affecting individuals with disabilities. Each group prepares a presentation for a legislator that outlines the problem and presents a research-based, realistic solution. As part of the training, legislators are invited to serve as “faculty” for the morning.
In this role, legislators participate in mock meetings with small groups of graduate students who present a disability-related issue and a research-based, realistic solution. We have held this training at the Capitol for the past several years and have consistently received very positive feedback from legislators who assist us.
The goal is to help trainees learn how to communicate effectively with policymakers and become stronger advocates in their respective fields. Legislators serving as faculty provide feedback on the presentations, share insights about what works well in legislative communication, and discuss what is most helpful when advocates bring issues forward.
Program Objectives
Advance the knowledge and skills of all child health professionals to improve health care delivery systems for children with developmental disabilities
Provide high-quality interdisciplinary education that emphasizes the integration of services from state and local agencies and organizations, private providers, and communities
Provide health professionals with skills that foster community-based partnerships
Promote innovative practices to enhance cultural competency, family-centered care, and interdisciplinary partnerships
The Connecticut Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (CT LEND) is one of 60 LEND programs across the country that focuses on the training of future leaders from a wide variety of professional disciplines in order to improve the health care delivery system for children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. The CT LEND provides training to graduate students from audiology, nursing, psychology, public health, school psychology, social work, special education, speech language and hearing science. Self-advocates, family members and community members also participate in one year of course work, community practicum assignments, advocacy and research. The training program requires the completion of coursework (9 credit hours), research studies, advocacy projects and community practicum assignments with infants, children and youth and adults with developmental disabilities, including autism, and their families, for over 700 hours a year.