Avery and Zoe from ASAN hosted a webinar on How to talk with your legislator on including a ban of electric shock devices in the end of year omnibus bill
Background on JRC and Stop the Shock
Press Coverage:
Frequently Asked Questions
The only purpose of skin shock devices is to cause pain on the individual to modify behavior
There are people with the EXACT same disabilities in the US and around the world that are living without the use of these devices. It is only in use in this one facility in MA.
Visiting your legislator
Thinking like a staffer
Doing Your Research
Research the background of the legislator that you are meeting with
Understand what they have voted for and against to ensure you can find common ground and make a good impression
Research Tools: Values, Ideology and Beliefs
On your legislator's site:
Us the language they use on core issues to frame your discussion
Making your case
Making your Case: Building your meeting script
It's ok to bring notes - write them out as opposed to digital, so there is no confusion on what you are reading.
Create a handout to provide (analog or digital) or both! Depending on your meeting.
Hi, my name is [name] and I'm here with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. I'm a constituent of the [Senator/Congressperson] and I'm [from/going to college in] [town].
I really appreciate you taking the time to meet with me. I also wanted to thank the [Senator/Congressperson] for their support of [name of bill that we like]
I want to talk to you about the use of electric skin shock devices on people with disabilities like me, and why the [Senator/Congressperson]'s support in banning this device is crucial.
I'm here today because as an autistic person living in [district/state], I'm deeply concerned about the use of electric skin shock devices on people with disabilities, and I wanted to make sure the [Senator/Congressperson] is representing disabled people like me.
I'm asking the [Senator/Representative] to include a ban on electric skin shock devices in this year's end of year omnibus bill because right now, people at the ]RC are enduring inhumane treatment via this device. With the [Senator/Representative]'s support, we can end this violence against people with disabilities.
Leave Behind Letter: https://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/JRC-2022-Leave-Behind-Letter.pdf
Follow up after the meeting
Hello [Staffer/Legislator name]
This is [name], I'm calling/writing to thank you for meeting with me on [date] to discuss including a ban on electric shock devices in the end of year omnibus bill. I appreciate you taking my concerns seriously and I hope your office will support a ban on this inhumane device. If you have any questions you can reach me at insert phone/email].
Have a good day,
[your name].
Setting up your visit
Sample Script for scheduling your meeting
Hello
I am a constituent from (city, state). and [I/We] would like to meet with you to discuss including a ban on electric skin shock devices in the end of year omnibus bill.
I hope you will be able to meet with [me/us] on [date]. I would be happy to help coordinate a virtual meeting platform, so please let me know if you have a preference for video or teleconference. If [date] doesn't work for you, could you let me know some other times that might be more convenient? I look forward to hearing back from you.
Sincerely, Your name
Your home address [This shows you are their constituent.]
Your phone number Your email address
More Resources:
Scenario Types
Attentive, interested staffer
Bored, distracted staffer
Inquisitive staffer
![Neurodiversity and Leadership in the Hiring Process [draft]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0a19fd_a3299cad5f2041349ac65e30de6ead87~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_522,h_392,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/0a19fd_a3299cad5f2041349ac65e30de6ead87~mv2.png)
