Systems Change

Leading Systems Change

Summit works to create lasting change by identifying and addressing barriers that prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in community life. Through systems advocacy, Summit collaborates with individuals, community partners, businesses, and government agencies to improve policies, programs, services, and environments so they are more accessible, equitable, and inclusive.

Our advocacy efforts focus on issues that impact the disability community, including housing, transportation, healthcare, employment, education, emergency preparedness, digital accessibility, and compliance with disability rights laws. Summit strives to ensure people with disabilities are directly involved in community planning efforts, policy development, advisory committees, and public processes to ensure their voices and experiences are represented in decisions that affect their lives.

In addition to systems advocacy, Summit prioritizes grassroots organizing efforts that empower people with disabilities and our allies to come together around shared issues and solutions. Summit believes that people with disabilities must have a meaningful voice in the policies, programs, and decisions that affect their lives. We work to help individuals build advocacy skills, engage in civic and community leadership, participate in public meetings, share their lived experiences, and advocate for meaningful change at the local, state, and federal levels.

By combining individual advocacy, grassroots organizing, and systems change work, Summit helps remove barriers, expand opportunities, and promote equal access for current and future generations. Our systems change efforts incorporate educational programs, town hall meetings, action alerts, rallies, legislative visits, public service announcements and other means to help further the cause of people with disabilities.

Through direct and grassroots advocacy, Summit works to build communities where everyone can live, work, learn, and participate fully.