2024 Annual Survey Results: Empowering Advocates in Iowa

2024 Annual Survey Results

INTRODUCTION The Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) sends a yearly survey to see how satisfied our advocates are. The answers help the DD Council learn what is most important to people and find new ideas for the future. SURVEY PARTICIPANTS ARE ASKED TO: Tell us who they are Tell us how satisfied they are with DD Council and infoNET resources Tell us if our resources helped them become better advocates Share topics they discussed with legislators Recommend how DD Council resources can further benefit them moving forward

SUMMARY The results in this report are based on people who went to a DD Council or infoNET event, used DD Council or infoNET materials, or did both. Participants who did not attend an event nor use any resources have been removed. OVERVIEW 374 total responses were submitted. The primary participants of this survey are family members of a person with a disability. 129 family members 127 other types of advocates 118 individuals with a disability 79% of participants are white. 66% of participants are female and 33% are male. 1% chose not to answer or selected a different identity. 77% of participants live in an urban area.

3) Have your advocacy efforts increased due to participating in DD Council activities or by using DD Council resources such as infoNET? - YES OVERALL: 89% 86% of People With a Disability answered Yes 94% of Family Members answered Yes 87% of Others answered Yes

3.1) Have you contacted an elected official? YES OVERALL: 68% 57% of People With a Disability 64% of Family Members 57% of Others

3.2) Have you participated in a coalition, advisory board, or policy board? YES OVERALL: 78% 64% of People With a Disability 71% of Family Members 69% of Others

3.3) Have you regularly attended a community meeting? YES OVERALL: 76% 60% of People With a Disability 68% of Family Members 68% of Others

3.4) Have you held a leadership role in your community? YES OVERALL: 74% 58% of People With a Disability 62% of Family Members 65% of Others

3.6) How can we do better to help your advocacy efforts? 3.5) Other things advocates have done: Data Not a concern; I did not need advocacy help personally referred disabled friends Contacted elected house of representatives official You guys are doing good. Study info from Infonet more resources and local contacts in sw iowa would help I just do some service work. I have held a candidate forum in my local community to help college students know about the candidates running in there local area and to educate them on disability policies here in iowa I am a current Board member of an organization, active patient advocate for chronic disorders and also a current patient. I have advocated for mental health funding. You do a great job! My job prohibits me from lobbying so I am careful not to be perceived that way when my intent is advocacy. Not sure. We live in a small rural area and it is difficult to get others to participate or join our advocacy group. I am starting an inclusion group in my community I am helping a self-advocate start a new advocacy group.

4) Are you better able to say what you want and what is important to you due to participating in DD Council activities or by using DD Council resources? 400 93% 340 300 200 100 7% 26 0 Yes No Yes No

5) Overall, how satisfied are you with the information and resources the DD Council provides? 250 63% 230 200 150 35% 128 100 50 3% 10 0 Very Satisfied Satisfied Not Satisfied Very Satisfied Satisfied Not Satisfied

14) Which of those resources were the most helpful to you and why? Guide to the Iowa Legislature the conference Pamphlets sent out Guide to IA Legislature because I can take it anywhere--including where cell phones must be shut off. The InfoNet letters I get are very helpful to me. Webinars because I can access on my own time The voter resources were quite helpful. They were easy to access and very well explained. Guide to IA Legislature - listing bills Guide to the Iowa Legislature - It is a very good collection of brief bios on our representatives. Info net is very well written and explains things clearly. It provides ways to advocate and reasons to do so. Email communication - easy to look at The monthly webinars prior to and during the Iowa legislature period were most useful. They were informative and easy to follow. The conference was amazing! Great energy. Wonderful content.

16.2) What did you like most about the conference? 16.1) How satisfied were you with the conference? Conference theme 200 I liked the key note speakers the most. 66% 174 Speaking to the vendors It was very well organized, excellent information, presenters, and food. We took a group of individuals and they had a great time. The location was accessible and easy to navigate! 150 Networking and seeing individuals with disabilities improve their self advocacy efforts. 100 30% I really enjoyed watching our people take part and listening to their ideas. 79 All of it -- keynotes were great, the exhibit hall was fun and just being with people and talking. 50 4% 11 The speakers are always fantastic and each and every thing about our conference is wonderful. 0 Very Satisfied Satisfied Not Satisfied Loved the main speaker and the session about sexuality. It gave great discussion and group work on appropriate relationships. Very Satisfied Satisfied Not Satisfied

How satisfied are you with the following materials and resources?

How satisfied are you with the following materials and resources?

How satisfied are you with the following materials and resources?

39) How can we help you become a better advocate for change? Keep up the great work you are doing! Guest speakers and input from members at Council Meetings has been helpful Just keep doing the things you are doing. It's amazing what all you put out there with such a small staff! Continue providing comprehensive information about important legislative and Congressional issues and how to advocate effectively for systems change. Supporting our business. Offering the grants & assistance w/mentorship. Offering online classes, free to those wanting to help their group grow. Send more information in the postal mail. Provide opportunities for growth Continue to offer talking points and engaging/empowering families and people with lived experiences to talk directly to legislators.

40) Additional comments or suggestions for the DD Council. Keep sending the newsletter because I always read it. I appreciate the highlights that are noted during the legislative session. These help me to understand what is happening week to week. Thank you for providing those! Amy does a great job!! I'm thankful for all the Council does to empower individuals with disabilities and their families. The dedication of Council staff is appreciated. Possibly bi-monthly or quarterly luncheons/ face to face meetings to help with engagement/ community activities. Thank you for keeping me informed on laws being passed.

QUESTIONS?