Become an Advocate

Advocacy at the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition takes several different forms.  You can volunteer to be an Individual Advocate or a Systems Advocate – both offer the opportunity for you to make a direct impact in people’s lives.

Individual advocacy involves assisting potential clients and problem-solving through answering questions about public benefits like Medicaid, filing appeals, and representing people in administrative court hearings as a non-attorney advocate. In most cases, in order to be an individual advocate, you must take the 10-week Basic Advocacy Training Class. Please be aware we do not accept volunteers or interns for our legal department.

Systems advocates work to make a change by getting involved with the legislative and rulemaking bodies, attending committees and meetings which establish rules, regulations, and policies which affect all people with disabilities. By changing the system as a whole, you can alter the outcome for the individual. In most cases, in order to represent and/or speak on behalf of CCDC at policy meetings, you must take the 10-week Basic Advocacy Class. Please be aware we do not take volunteers or interns for our legal department.

Whether your interest lies with Individual or Systemic Advocacy, you start by enrolling in the CCDCs Basic Advocacy Certification Training class. We offer this course multiple times a year.  Currently, the 10-week class meets one day a week for four hours on the beautiful DU campus. Taught by professionals working in the disability community, these subject matter experts are eager to share their knowledge and experience. You can take the class in-person or online as a virtual student – both offer the best introductory advocacy class around.

You can register for the next session (starting on February 4th) one of two ways:
1. Link to the online Basic Advocacy Training class application (Online Registration). Complete the application and submit. It’s that easy.

2. Call Angela Nevin or Dawn Howard at 303-839-1775, and one of them can assist you with registration.

3. Email your questions to Angela at anevin@ccdconline.org, or Dawn at dhoward@ccdconline.org.

Individual Advocacy Program

Systems Advocacy Program