ASAN: How to help get Stop the Shock included in 2022 Omnibus Bill | Hill Visit Training

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:

https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/shock-therapy-massachussetts-school/story?id=11047334

https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2013/03/08/autism-shock-therapy-is-torture-says-un-official/?sh=b9b7f2628bcf

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/decades-long-fight-over-electric-shock-treatment-led-fda-ban-n1265546

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cchr-supports-uns-and-rights-groups-demand-for-urgent-fda-ban-on-skin-electric-shock-devices-300770689.html

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

https://ontheissues.org/default.htm

https://www.govtrack.us/

https://www.census.gov/mycd/

https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/statistics/scc.php

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

JRC-2022-Leave-Behind-Letter.pdf

Download PDF • 106KB

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

https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm

https://www.house.gov/representatives

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:

https://autisticadvocacy.org/stoptheshock

https://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/JRC-Talking-Points-2022.pdf

JRC-Talking-Points-2022 (1).pdf

Download PDF • 53KB

Scenario Types

Attentive, interested staffer

Bored, distracted staffer

Inquisitive staffer