Advocacy 101: Use Your Voice, Share Your Stories

Advocating for the needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers is central to the mission of the Aging and Disability Services Advisory Council. We believe that advocacy is a powerful force for change, rooted in the belief that every voice matters. It empowers individuals and communities to speak out against injustice, influence public policy, and shape societal norms. When it comes to older adults and people with disabilities, advocacy plays a vital role in many issues such as protecting their rights, ensuring access to quality healthcare, and combating ableism and ageism. Too often, the needs of aging populations are overlooked in policy decisions, healthcare systems, and even everyday conversations. Advocating for older adults brings visibility to their experiences and affirms their dignity, reminding all of us that aging is not a decline—but a continuation of life, wisdom, and contribution.

What often holds people back from advocating is fear. In can be fear of judgment, confrontation, or believing that they do not know enough. But advocacy doesn’t require perfection; it begins with empathy and action. Supporting older adults and people with disabilities can be as simple as amplifying their stories, challenging stereotypes, or pushing for better care policies. The more people engage, the more they realize that advocacy is not about being loud, it is about being heard. And when voices join together, the fear fades, replaced by solidarity and purpose. Advocacy reminds us that change doesn’t come from being fearless, it comes from caring enough to speak up, especially for those whose voices are too often ignored.

As such, we’re establishing a new regular feature in AgeWise to bring you advocacy updates and tips. Look for “Advocacy 101” in future editions. To kick off this feature, we’re highlighting the recent visits Advisory Council members had with Congressional members. Last week, members of the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services (ADS), joined by colleagues from the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders (MCAAE), met with the offices of Representatives DelBene, Smith, and Schrier to share local perspectives on aging, disability, and caregiver needs.

The conversations focused on two critical themes:

• Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization—making the case for increased federal funding for supportive services, caregiver programs, and nutrition.
• Impacts of H.R. 1—expressing concern for how changes to Medicaid, SNAP, and Medicare could negatively affect older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities in King County.

Council members presented data, outlined key budget requests, and shared personal stories that highlighted the human impact of federal policy on older adults. For MCAAE members, these meetings also served as a valuable learning opportunity to gain insight into ADS advocacy priorities and federal issues impacting older adults.

The Advisory Council remains committed to ensuring that older adults and caregivers in our community have their voices heard in Washington, D.C.—and that local experiences continue to inform national policy.

Advocacy Tip #1: When meeting with legislators or their staff, stories matter as much as statistics. Sharing a short, personal example about how a program like Meals on Wheels, caregiver support, or Medicaid has touched your life—or the life of someone you know—helps policymakers connect data to real people. Even a two-sentence story can leave a lasting impression.

Joel Domingo is Chair of the Advisory Council’s Advocacy Committee and Dean of the Research Institute and Director of Research and Professor at City University of Seattle, where he leads the university’s overall scholarship and research objectives. His work focuses on leadership development and civic capacity building for creating social transformation in the public and community nonprofit spheres.

Michael Adusah is the staff liaison for the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services, where he supports the council’s advocacy and community engagement. He works to help members advance policies and programs that promote healthy aging and independence.