Power through advocacy
Access 2 Advocacy exists to build bridges between the disability community, individuals and families, policymakers, advocates and leaders who seek to achieve inclusion and drive change.
WHO WE SERVE & WHAT WE AIM TO ACHIEVE
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Our goal is to provide individuals with disabilities and their loved ones with the tools and learning opportunities to advocate for themselves and their community through access to resources, advisory services, and support networks.
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We know that organizations and leaders across all levels and sectors can be a powerful partner and conduit for change. Access 2 Advocacy is here to enable conversations, provide education, and serve as a collaborative partner and resource to those who aim to improve disability policies and enact better practices.
OUR SERVICES
Advocacy designed to meet your specific needs
Every engagement with Access 2 Advocacy comes with a free 30 to 60 minute consultation to establish situational awareness, gain insight to the specific needs of the client, and work collaboratively to establish a potential scope of services.
Educational Trainings & Presentations
Trainings for individuals, groups, or organizations related to disability legislation, resource gathering, talking prep and key messages for public official meetings, storytelling and other disability-related advocacy.
Network Facilitation, Research & Services Navigation
Facilitate network building and strategic connections along with assistance in research, insights gathering, IEP support and services navigation.
1 : 1 Mentorship & Self-Advocacy Tools
One-on-one mentorship with individuals and/or their family members to help craft their stories, develop self-advocacy skills through person-centered practices, custom-developed resources and other methods.
Support Planning for Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS) Planning
DHS-Certified Support Planning provided through information, development, and monitoring of a consumer-directed community support plan.
Combination of Services:
A custom or combined set of services is available. We'll discuss your needs at the free consultation and work together to establish what approach is best for you.
*Pricing discussed at initial consultation*
ABOUT SOPHIE
From lived experiences to advocacy
Sophie Iverson is a lifelong disability advocate and storyteller. She holds a Master’s degree in the Study of Law from Hamline University with a concentration in special education, as well as an undergraduate degree in Political Science from St. Catherine University.
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In 2023, she founded Access 2 Advocacy with the goal of applying her lived experiences and passion for storytelling to provide others with advocacy tools, confidence-building strategies, and support in sharing their own stories for self-advocacy.
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Sophie supports parents and students with disabilities by “translating” the special education system, providing guidance, and elevating the rights they have as informed and active participants in their own IEP/504 meetings. She brings extensive knowledge and training in person-centered planning, self-evaluation and transition planning, Americans with Disabilities Act topics, special education, and deliberative dialogue work, and holds an ADA Coordinator certification.
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Most importantly, as a person with a complex medical history, Sophie brings her personal experience as a member of the disability community into her advocacy and consulting work.