Advocacy

At times, those we support and/or their family members require individualized, specific support, which falls outside the realm of standard services.

Lamplighters

Lamplighters is the name chosen by those we support to identify their self-advocacy effort. Since its formation in 1999, the Lamplighters have established four individual Lamplighter groups, each with its own unique approach, based on level of independence, age, ability and program involvement. The primary purpose is one of informing and educating people with disabilities about their rights and responsibilities, active community participation, civil liberties and self-determination.

In addition to advocating on behalf of themselves and others supported by The Fogarty Center, some Lamplighter members actively participate in statewide trainings, committees and missions in order to effect change, which is in the best interest of their community at large.

During the course of time, the Lamplighters have become financially self-sufficient by means of fund raising efforts. Resources are used to facilitate attendance and participation in statewide, as well as occasional national, conferences.

Family and Sibling Advocacy Groups

During these challenging times, it is imperative for family members to actively and collectively advocate for their family member and themselves are caregivers. During 2008, the The Fogarty Center Family Advocacy Group formed as part of a statewide effort to bring together family members throughout Rhode Island, and has since, formed a Sibling Advocacy Group, which is designed to meet the very unique issues, which are common to this extended group of family members.