Advocacy
A Voice
In addition to information and referral, education and support services, the Brain Injury Association of Arizona (BIA-AZ) strives to be a public "voice" for all individuals with brain injury in Arizona. We believe our message must be considered as public policies are developed and implemented in and from Arizona. We seek to educate and inform the public and our elected officials concerning critical issues requiring improved laws and public policies.
The Brain Injury Association of Arizona seeks to:
- distribute public policy information and positions of the Brain Injury Association of America and the Brain Injury Association of Arizona to the general public and to its elected officials;
- advocate for increasing brain injury research, prevention and services;
- protect the rights of persons with disabilities and improve access to health care, employment and self-sufficiency; and
- act as a liaison with other disability organizations as well as other state advocates and policy makers to strengthen advocacy efforts and maintain the BIA-AZ visibility in the field.
Our Vision
We envision a service delivery system for persons with brain injuries that is:
- comprehensive, well-coordinated, easily accessible, and effective;
- comprised of partners who understand their roles and accept responsibility for doing their part to create a seamless system;
- responsive to and reflective of the diversity of people throughout Arizona;
- identifies injuries early, assesses needs regularly, and then provides services and supports that are planned, developed, and delivered to meet these needs and maximize quality of life for all those affected by brain injury.
We envision public policy and laws that:
- recognize the capabilities, potential, and needs of persons with brain injuries and their families.
We envision the people of our state and its communities aware of brain injuries and so:
- working together to decrease the incidence and severity of these injuries; and
- ensuring the full inclusion of persons who have sustained brain injuries in the life of the community.
We envision the Brain Association of Arizona:
- collaborating with persons with spinal cord injuries and with brain injuries, their families, the Arizona Governor's Council on Spinal and Head Injuries, government agencies, community organizations, and the business community in realizing this shared vision.
How We Advocate
The Brain Injury Association of Arizona seeks to be involved in a broad range of advocacy activities and systems change. This may include:
- testifying at the state level as to the public policy needs for those with brain injuries and on issues as diverse as no-fault auto insurance, gun control and playground equipment standards;
- participating in statewide task forces, advisory committees or governor's councils;
- educating policy-makers and state agency personnel regarding critical needs and issues within the full continuum of services for people with brain injuries; and
- informing our own members and community partners about critical issues and opportunities related to advocacy for those with or otherwise affected by brain injuries.
Grass-root Opportunities
Brain Awareness Week
An international effort organized by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives to advance public awareness about the progress, promise, and benefits of brain research. The Dana Alliance is joined in the campaign by partners in the United States and around the world, including medical and research organizations; patient advocacy groups; the National Institutes of Health, and other government agencies; service groups; hospitals and universities; K-12 schools; and professional organizations.
Website: http:/www.dana.org/brainweek/
Upcoming Brain Awareness Week DatesMarch 12-18, 2007
March 10-16, 2008
March 16-22, 2009
Congressional Brain Injury Task Force
Please take a few moments to let your voice be heard on Capitol Hill regarding the bipartisan Congressional Brain Injury Task Force which serves to improve programs for the millions of Americans who experience traumatic brain injuries (TBI) each year and their families. The Task Force is co-chaired by Republican Congressman James C. Greenwood of Pennsylvania and Democratic Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. of New Jersey. The Task Force will focus on informing Members of advances in TBI services and the development of new programs under the TBI Act Amendments of 2000 (Title XIII of H.R.4365, the Children's Health Act of 2000). Contact Your U.S. Congressmen at: http://capwiz.com/bia/home/
Brain Injury Month is October
Contact Your U.S. Congressmen or State LegislatorFor more information at the national level contact:
Brain Injury Association, Inc.
105 North Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 236-6000
www.biausa.org
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Community Education
This year, the BIAAZ initiates a state-wide public awareness campaign.
Despite the increasing prevalence of children and adults with brain injury,
most people in the United States are unaware of this national, but silent
epidemic. It is, unfortunately, not uncommon that:
• physicians fail to notice abuse-related head injury in toddlers and
babies nearly a third of the time;
• less than 20% of bikers in the U.S. regularly wear helmets, which
have been found to be 88% effective in preventing brain injury resulting
from bicycle crashes; and
• only 69% of the driving population in the U.S. wear safety belts,
35% of children ride unrestrained and 80% of children's car seats are
improperly installed.
Evidence suggests that most people believe that "brain injury"
means "brain
dead" or a state of permanent coma. In addition, most do not recognize
that
concussion, the most common form of mild traumatic brain injury, can pose
serious health problems. This misperception is particularly alarming because
of the significant dangers posed by "second impact syndrome," which
occurs
when a second brain injury is sustained shortly after the first.
We are expanding our service of brain injury education, information and
referral to include a statewide public awareness campaign to educate key
publics on brain injury and prevent future brain injuries. Since traumatic
brain injuries are twice more likely for Native American males than for
white, non-Hispanic males, the campaign will especially target health care
professionals, teachers, and other front-line workers within Arizona's
tribal communities.
Our community education or public awareness campaign will utilize staff,
volunteers, tribal liaisons, local chapters, and traditional public
relations tools such as fact sheets, posters, billboards, public service
announcements, press kits, press releases, letters to the editor, events,
and a speakers bureau.