Guide for Resources and Opportunities for Transportation Advocacy (GRO-Trans):
Tools for Effective Advocacy
(October 2002)

Following are links to information of general interest to new and experienced advocates interested in developing or honing their skills and effectiveness.

ADAPT
201 S. Cherokee
Denver, CO 80223
(303) 733-9324
http://www.adapt.org
"Starting a Local Group" provides information on how to start a local ADAPT activist group and connects you to the organizing and advocacy training ADAPT offers to help new groups become effective locally.

American Public Transportation Association
1666 K Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 496-4800
http://www.apta.com/
“Local Coalition Workbook: A Guide to Building Grassroots Support for Public Transportation” is a document that guides advocates through the steps to build a successful coalition, work effectively with local officials, and engage the media behind the group’s efforts. This document can be found in the APTA Book Store.

Center for Community Change
1000 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 342-0567
http://www.communitychange.org
This is a national non-profit organization that offers general on-site assistance to grassroots groups, works to “increase capacity of community-based organizations,” and helps local advocates work effectively with state and national policy-makers. Click on "Community Organizing and Issues" to find generic, practical guidance for choosing issues, effective lobbying, media advocacy, and more.

CivilRights.org
http://www.civilrights.org/
This “online social justice network” is a coalition of 180 organizations engaged in advocacy for equality and justice and serves as a clearinghouse of information for activists. The "Action Center" offers a number of how-to guides for lobbying, developing an advocacy strategy, starting an online petition, and contacting Congress, as well as tools for being active and engaged with state and national policy-makers.

The Democracy Center
P.O. Box 22157
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 564-4767
http://www.democracyctr.org/
The "Advocacy Training and Resources" section of the web site offers a variety of resources for activists such as "Designing an Advocacy Strategy," "Policy Analysis: A Primer," "Effective Organizing," and "Building and Maintaining Coalitions."

Independent Living Research Utilization
2323 South Shepherd, Suite 1000
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 520-0232
http://www.ilru.org/
Click on "Publications" to find a variety of resources, including information on coalition building, grant writing for a project, rural outreach, and more.

People’s Regional Opportunity Program
510 Cumberland Avenue
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 874-1140
(800) 698-4959
http://www.propeople.org/
"Be Involved" connects you to tips from PROP specific to advocacy in Maine.

20/20 Vision
1828 Jefferson Place NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 833-2020
http://www.2020vision.org/
Check out the "Resources" page to find new advocates basic information and tips for effective letter writing, phone calling, generating local media attention, and more. Although it is not an organization focused on disability or transportation issues, the resources for citizens have general applicability.