Policy & Advocacy Committee
Our Purpose
Provide guidance and recommendations regarding public policy issues to DCDT Board and Membership.
Our Committee:
- Communicates public policy and government issues and recommendations to the DCDT membership.
- Establishes relationships with elected officials and/or government officials.
- Develops an effective grassroots advocacy network knowledgeable in the issues and methods of advancing policy and about CEC's policy positions and current events.
- Advocates for CEC's policy positions and communicate these positions to policymakers.
- Encourages DCDT members to become politically active and understand public policy to facilitate grassroots activities.
- Develops relationships with elected officials.
- Rallies to the call to action using CEC's Legislative Action.
- Provides political action trainings at CEC's and DCDT's annual convention.
- Promotes grassroots action within DCDT and its conferences.
How Can I Get Involved?
The DCDT Policy and Advocacy Committee would love for you as a DCDT member to join us in our committee. To join our committee (and email list), email Josh Taylor (josh.taylor@wsu.edu).
There are many other ways to help support the goals of DCDT and the Policy and Advocacy Committee. Below are some of the ways to help advance policy affecting students with disabilities.
- Join DCDT's Policy and Advocacy Committee and become active in forming advancing public policy
- Check out CEC’s Legislative Action Center by visiting https://exceptionalchildren.org/takeaction
- Continue to monitor CEC's website for breaking news and information https://exceptionalchildren.org
DCDT Policy and Advocacy Committee Sessions 2025-26
Second Thursday of each month from 3-4pm ET except for October (to avoid conflict with DCDT Conference)
- September 11, 2025
- October 2, 2025
- November 13, 2025
- December 11, 2025
- January 8, 2026
- February 12, 2026
- March 12, 2026
- April 8, 2026
- May 7, 2026
Federal Legislation
To keep abreast of current legislation, where it is in the process, opportunities for public comment, and other information, visit the following links.
- http://www.regulations.gov/#!home
- https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s130#
- US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee actions http://www.help.senate.gov/committee-actions/legislation
- Hearings http://www.help.senate.gov/hearings
- Track the HELP Committee https://www.govtrack.us/congress/committees/SSHR
- Hearings http://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/list.aspx?EventTypeID=189
- Live Webcast of Hearings http://edworkforce.house.gov/webcast/
- Markups http://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/list.aspx?EventTypeID=190
- US House Committee on Education and the Workforce Legislation http://edworkforce.house.gov/legislation/legislation.htm