Turning Frustration into Action: A Practical Approach to Advocacy

People with disabilities seeking services can often feel like they are navigating systems that are fragmented, difficult to understand, and at times overwhelming. That challenge was the focus of the workshop “Frustration to Impact: The Advocacy Blueprint for Systems Change,” presented at the Abilities Expo in Long Beach.

Led by Inclusive Sol founder and LACCOD Commissioner Reena De Asis, the session focused on how individuals can turn frustration into structured, effective advocacy.

“It’s not an easy journey,” De Asis said. “Frustration is not failure. It’s feedback and data that you can use to advocate for what matters to you.”

She emphasized that the first step is identifying what is not working.

“Ask yourself what is happening, who is impacted, and what facts and evidence exist,” she said. “It’s easy to say the system is broken, but you need to narrow that down based on your experience.”

Inclusive Sol was originally intended as a support group for caregivers of individuals with cerebral palsy, but its mission evolved due to gaps in information and coordination.

“I started to notice there was a gap, and that gap was that L.A. County didn’t really have one centralized location for cerebral palsy or disability data,” De Asis said.

She encouraged participants to define a clear goal, whether that is a policy update, a new program, or another type of solution, and to identify the decision-makers who can influence change.

“You’re part of the public. You are a constituent,” De Asis said. “If you are respectful of their time, they want to meet with you.”

She also stressed the importance of understanding what influences decision-makers and aligning advocacy efforts with their priorities.

To illustrate her approach, De Asis shared two advocacy efforts focused on increasing awareness of cerebral palsy, a condition affecting her son. One led to a motion by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors calling for improved coordination and a resource guide. The other resulted in a resolution by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) recognizing World Cerebral Palsy Day.

Participants shared their own experiences navigating fragmented systems. One attendee suggested creating a centralized information sheet for patients, while another described challenges finding meaningful employment support.

“I’ve been involved with two different job agencies; one used me more as a sounding board than actually helping me find a job,” said Jesse Pressman-Tohl. “I want more support in figuring out what direction I want to go.”

De Asis encouraged continued engagement and persistence.

“You’re going to clarify what exactly you want and the outcome,” she said.

She closed by emphasizing patience and collaboration.

“You don’t have to do advocacy work alone,” De Asis said. “Connect with partners and organizations that can support you. Change happens, but it requires follow-up and strong relationships.”