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Advocacy

Grassroots advocacy is very important. It is our way as citizens to be involved in the democratic process of our government. The Brain Injury Association of Michigan monitors and maintains a presence with state government and the federal government in conjunction with BIAA. We promote policies and legislation that prevents brain injury and enhances the care, services and support available to people with brain injuries and their families. In doing so, we advocate on behalf of the entire brain injury community. We make sure that officials in the state and federal government are kept aware of issues that relate to brain injury. The Association also helps people affected by brain injury learn how to advocate for the services and supports that they need in their lives.

We strongly encourage people with brain injury and their loved ones to tell their stories to their elected officials which will create better state policies to ensure we are meeting the needs of all Michigan residents affected by brain injury.  

Legislative Action Links

L e g i s l a t i v e   A c t i o n   C e n t e r  MICHIGAN

The Brain Injury Association of Michigan maintains a terrific online advocacy resource called the Legislative Action Center where you can enter your zip code, find out about your Michigan representatives and contact them regarding issued that are of great importance to you and the future of the brain injury community. Simply click on the image of the Capitol building.

L e g i s l a t i v e   A c t i o n   C e n t e r  WASHINGTON DC

The Brain Injury Association of America maintains a terrific online advocacy resource called the Legislative Action Center where you can enter your zip code, find out about your Washington DC representatives and contact them regarding issued that are of great importance to you and the future of the brain injury community. Simply click on the image of the Capitol building.

Current Issues

Auto No-Fault
One of the largest advocacy issues is to maintain Michigan’s auto no-fault insurance system, established in 1973, which has been reported to be the best in the nation (Consumer Reports).To better respond to this attempt, BIAMI provides leadership and participates in the activities of the Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault (CPAN). This coalition is composed of over 28 consumer organizations, nonprofit organizations, advocacy organizations, and numerous health-related associations. Due to this dedicated effort, 4 bills being considered by the legislature in 2008 were prevented from being passed.

A People's Hearing on Unfair Credit Scoring Practices (June 16, 2010) (PDF)
On June 16th, numerous consumer groups, NAACP, faith based organizations, labor and CPAN will be joining  Butch Hollowell (Michigan’s Insurance Consumer Advocate) to participate in “A People’s Hearing and March on Unfair Credit Scoring Practices.  The March begins at the steps of the Hall of Justice at Noon with the People’s hearing at the Mackinac Room in the House Office Building starting at approximately 1:15 p.m.  The hearing will focus on the inaction of the Senate on auto insurance rate reform.  Passage of meaningful rate reform legislation is important to reduce political pressure mounting from various regions in the state which are experiencing high auto insurance rates.  Subsequent town hall meetings will be announced after the People’s Hearing.  Mike Dabbs of BIA will be a panelist at this event.

MI Supreme Court - Key Judicial Decisions (PDF)

Motorcycle Helmet Repeal
For nearly seven years, BIAMI has partnered with numerous insurance companies and health-related organizations as part of the Heads First Coalition. It was created in 2003 as a response to the mounting pressure to repeal Michigan’s motorcycle helmet law. Motorcyclists from ABATE have worked in surrounding states to have their respective legislatures repeal helmet laws, arguing that helmets restrict the personal freedom of motorcyclists. Because of BIAMI’s members advocacy Governor Granholm has vetoed the helmet repeal act, BIAMI was able prevent the repeal from being considered. New "pro-helmet" motorcycle association, SMARTER, Inc is working with BIAMI to advocate for helmet usage.

HB 4747 Roll Call - March 25, 2010 (PDF)

BIAMI Letter to Representatives on HB 4747 (PDF) 

SMARTER Position Statement on Motorcycle Helmets (April 2010) (PDF)
An excellent comprehensive article created by SMARTER – an organization of motorcyclists that are opposed to the Helmet Repeal bill.

TBI Act Reauthorization
This Act became a federal law in 1996 and assists the plight of those with TBI in several ways. First, it directed the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to conduct research and surveillance studies. It also funds the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the National Disability Rights Network, providing them state funds (including Michigan) to address the needs of individuals and families with TBI. See Michigan Department of Community Health’s website for more information about Michigan related grant activities.

Who do You Know?

An important part of public policy advocacy, like many things in life is “who do you know?” Do you personally know one of our political leaders? Perhaps you went to school with, live near to, or are related to such a leader (e.g. Representative or Senator to the Michigan Legislature or the US Congress, or state departments or agency directors, or governmental appointees). Perhaps you are involved with one of the political parties in your in your county, at the state or national level. Please share this information with us. The Brain Injury Association of Michigan would like to add you and who you may know to our database. With your help, we can build a stronger connection with our leaders who we can call upon to assist people with a brain injury, their families and professionals working in the field of brain injury rehabilitation or providing services to persons with a brain injury.

Please contact the Association office with your name and contact information, as well as the name(s) of officials you know. Send this information staff@biami.org, call (810) 229-5880, or send a letter to our office.

Public Policy & Legislation

One of the primary objectives of the Association’s advocacy is to effect public policy that will prevent brain injury and improve quality of life of people with brain injuries.

Over 1,200 individuals with brain injury, family members and concerned citizens subscribe to our Legislative Network to keep up with public affairs that are related to brain injury. Members of the Legislative Network receive periodic emails informing them on policy issues, Action Alerts when issues need to be addressed by brain injury advocates.

Action Alerts

We need your help! The Brain Injury Association of Michigan has an active Legislative Network of people concerned about brain injury that we keep informed of current policy matters. Members receive rapid ACTION ALERTS and regular e-mail updates about important policy issues under consideration in Michigan and Washington, DC. These updates allow people to effectively educate our elected legislators and other government officials on the unique needs of people with brain injury. Here are three reasons why we need your help:

1. You have valuable knowledge about brain injury that a legislator needs to make informed decisions.
2. Legislators want to hear from the voters they represent.
3. We have power in numbers! Join the Legislative Network.

If you wish to receive Action Alerts, consider joining our Legislative Network.

National Action Alerts

The Brain Injury Association of America and the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators both follow federal public policy closely and have sections on their websites to keep you involved. To learn how you can take action on federal issues, visit the Brain Injury Association of America website, http://capwiz.com/bia/home/, and visit the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators website, http://nashia.org/ (“Influence Public Policy” section).

Congressional Brain Injury Task Force

The mission of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force is to further education and awareness of brain injury and support funding for basic and applied research on brain injury rehabilitation and development of a cure.

The Congressional Brain Injury Task Force works at the reauthorization of the TBI Act. As the only federal legislation that helps the 3.17 million Americans who live with a long-term disability as a result of a TBI. This law must be reauthorized – bottom line.

In Michigan, there are 5 members of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. They are: Dale Kildee (MI-05), Thaddeus McCotter (MI-11), Candice Miller (MI-10), Mike Rogers (MI-08) and Fred Upton (MI-06). Please ask your US Congressman to join the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. Click here for helping in asking your Congressman to join!

Contact Your Legislators

Whether you are responding to an Action Alert or simply wish to express your concerns to your government representatives, here is how to reach them. Contact Your Legislators Which will help you determine who your legislator is and provide you with the opportunity to send them an e-mail.

Tools for Advocacy

The Association wants you to have the resources to advocate for yourself or your family member. These tools are Help Hints for Contacting Legislators (link to below). The Brain Injury Association of America and the Health Resources & Services created a similar presentation which can be accessed by clicking here to view a presentation which defines the basic tools of effective advocacy

Voting is your constitutional right - Federal law requires that all persons with disabilities be allowed full participation in the electoral process. This includes registering to vote, casting a vote and having full access to polling places. (information provided by Michigan Protection & Advocacy Services, Inc.)

To be eligible to register to vote in Michigan, you must be:
    * A U.S. citizen
    * At least 18 years of age by election day
    * A resident of Michigan and the city or township where you are applying to register to vote

GENERAL ELECTION 2010

Primary Voter Registration Deadline: July 6, 2010
Absentee in-person voting: August 2, 2010
Primary Election: August 3, 2010

General Election Voter Registration Deadline: October 4, 2010
Absentee in-person voting: November 1, 2010
General Election: November 2, 2010

Know Your Rights:  

• You have the right to vote
• Any American citizen of age 18 or older who has properly registered is legally allowed to vote in Michigan.  There are no restrictions based on guardianship, literacy, mental competency, education, or living situation, nor is there any test or question one must answer before casting a ballot.
• You have the right to access your local polling place
• All polling places in Michigan are required by state law to be physically accessible.
• Every Polling Place is now equipped with an Automark Voter Assist Terminal which has the ability to assist voters with different types of disabilities to mark the ballot privately and independently.
• The Poll worker should make the availability of this machine known and can provide instructions on it’s use.
• You have the right to request assistance with marking and casting your ballot
• As a person with a disability, you have the right to have a family member or friend of your choice accompany you into the booth. (This person cannot be your employer or a representative of a union to which you belong).
• Two poll workers of declared different party affiliations may assist you upon your request.
• You have the right to cast an absentee ballot

1. Michigan Election law stipulates that anyone who identifies as being a person with a disability as it is legally defined, has the right to vote by absentee ballot.
2. To request an absentee ballot you must send a written request to the clerk of the city or township in which you are registered and the request must be received by 2 pm the Saturday before the election.  You can cast an absentee ballot at any time before the election in person at your local clerk’s office.
3. People with disabilities who registered by mail are not required to appear in person when voting for the first time.

Protect your Rights - Call for Help!

If you have any trouble accessing the polls or feel you have been intimidated, discriminated against or that your right to vote has been violated in any way, please contact:

Election Protection Hotline 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)

Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc. 1-800-414-288-5923

Helpful Hints for Contacting Legislators

Generally, a personal letter (or e-mail) is more effective than a phone call, but a phone call can have a greater impact than a non-personalized form letter (or e-mail). Whereas a staff person from the legislator's office usually handles a phone call, records the important information, and relays the message to the legislator, a legislator sometimes brings the most moving letters with him or her when it is time to vote on a bill. But pick the most comfortable method for you. Whatever method you choose, here are some helpful hints to remember when contacting your legislators…

Writing Your Legislator - Calling Your Legislator

Write a personal letter (e-mail). It is far more effective than a form letter. Tell your own story about how brain injury affects you, your family, or your community. Consider discussing life before brain injury, as well as how the injury happened.

1. If you are calling about a service provided by the state, identify the service in the first paragraph of the letter and whether or not it meets your needs as a person affected by brain injury.
    
2. If you are calling about a bill, identify the bill number in the first paragraph of your letter, and immediately establish whether you would like the legislator to support or oppose the bill.
    
3. Identify yourself as a constituent (a resident of the legislator's district).
    
4. Try to limit your letter to one page, and do not write more than two. Legible hand-written letters are just as good as typed letters. Be sure you include your return address!
    
5. Be polite.
    
6. Do not be afraid to ask for a meeting with your legislator or someone from his or her office! This can be the most effective form of advocacy.
    
7. If possible, send a copy of your letter to Brain Injury Association of Michigan so we can keep track of the advocacy efforts in the community and how the legislators are responding. Send copies to BIAMI, 7305 Grand River, Suite 100 Brighton, MI 48114-7379.
    
8. Most important! Send a "thank you" note (or make a "thank you" call) when your legislator responds to your request! Prepare your remarks before you call. Keep in mind that the person you speak with will very likely be unfamiliar with brain injury. Keep notes available if this will make you more comfortable.
    
9. Don't be surprised if you don't speak to the legislator directly. Staff who answer or respond to the majority of calls have the legislator's "ear" and will make sure that your comments are recorded and relayed to the legislator.
    
10. Identify yourself as a constituent (a resident of the legislator's district).
     
11. Immediately establish what you are calling about, and what you would like the legislator to do (i.e. improve a state service, support or oppose a bill).
     
12. Be positive, and try to be brief. Remember: the staff person you most likely will talk to will work even harder on your behalf if this conversation is one he or she remembers fondly!
     
13. Leave your name, address and phone number.
     
14. Do not be afraid to ask for a meeting with your legislator or someone from his or her office! This can be the most effective form of advocacy.
     
15. If possible, contact the Brain Injury Association of Michigan to alert us that you made the phone call so we can keep track of the advocacy efforts in the community and how the legislators are responding. Call toll-free 1-800-444-6443.
     
16. Most important! Send a "thank you" note (or make a "thank you" call) when your legislator responds to your request!

How does a bill become a law in the State of Michigan?
Click here to learn how a bill becomes a law in Michigan.

How does a bill become law in the United States?
Click here to learn how a bill becomes a law in the United States.

Ask The Advocate

Do you have a question about the political process? About getting involved in grassroots advocacy? Have a policy concern related to brain injury? Want to join with like-minded people to address policy issues related to brain injury? If so, ask Mike Dabbs, President of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan by emailing him at mdabbs@biami.org .