Advocacy Myths vs. Truths: What It Really Takes to Influence Lawmakers

When it comes to policy, many people believe the myth that only lobbyists or experts make a difference. The truth is, lawmakers are moved every day by ordinary people who decide to raise their voices. And when we come together in numbers, grassroots advocacy becomes one of the most powerful tools we have.

Here are some of the most common myths about advocacy and the truths that prove otherwise.

Myth 1: “My voice doesn’t matter.”

Truth: Your lawmakers work for you, and your voice is one of the most important they need to hear.

Every elected official represents a district, and the people in that district are their constituents, their voters. When you take the time to email, call, or meet with your representatives, you are doing exactly what democracy was designed for. Even if you think your story is “too small,” it is often the personal stories from constituents that lawmakers remember most when they cast their votes.

Myth 2: “I need to be an expert to talk to legislators.”

Truth: Lived experience is expertise.

You don’t need to quote policy manuals or budget spreadsheets to make an impact. You just need to tell your story honestly and clearly. Lawmakers rely on hearing from the people who are directly affected by their decisions. In fact, they are often grateful when families and advocates explain how a policy plays out in real life. Your lived experience is more valuable than a hundred pages of data.

Myth 3: “One person can’t make a difference.”

Truth: Change almost always starts with one person, but grows through the power of numbers.

This past year, we saw how emails, phone calls, and testimonies from families created a ripple effect that could not be ignored. A single parent’s story shared with their legislator spread to media coverage, sparked public outrage, and inspired hundreds of others to speak up. That collective action led to securing DDD gap funding and passing Parents as Paid Caregivers into law.

The lesson is clear: when we come together in numbers, lawmakers listen. True grassroots campaigns are built by ordinary people who decide to act, and that is where real power lies.

Myth 4: “Lawmakers don’t care about families like mine.”

Truth: Many lawmakers do care, but they cannot act on what they don’t know.

It’s not about whether they care, it’s about whether they understand the reality on the ground. That is why reaching out matters so much. If your elected officials don’t know the barriers your family faces, they can’t fight for you. When dozens or even hundreds of families in the same district speak with one voice, it becomes impossible to ignore.

Why It Matters

Grassroots advocacy is not about perfection; it is about persistence. It is about showing up, telling your story, and encouraging others to do the same. The more we work with our district legislators, the more we build relationships and open the door for real policy change.

Membership in the Raising Voices Coalition gives families and self-advocates the training, resources, and network to take that one voice and multiply it into hundreds. That is how movements grow. That is how laws change.

Because the truth is simple: your voice matters, and together, our voices are unstoppable.