Advocacy

Advocacy plays an integral role in the Association's efforts to fulfill its mission. Diabetes Advocates around the country work to increase funding to prevent, treat and cure diabetes; to improve access to health care; and to eliminate discrimination against people with diabetes at school, work or elsewhere in their lives.^[31]

Discrimination

The ADA builds networks, hosts workshops, and engages with its volunteers to fight discrimination based on diabetes. This includes discrimination in school, in the workplace, obtaining private and commercial driver's licenses, in public accommodation settings and correctional institutions.^[32] The ADA also works to improve access of diabetes patients to insulin by lobbying for non-medical professionals to be allowed to administer insulin (after receiving basic training), which has put it at odds with the American Nurses Association.

Federal government advocacy and state legislation

The Association's advocacy efforts span a broad range of issues that may or may not vary depending on geographic location. Advocacy initiatives include – but are not limited to – research funding, health care costs and reform, prevention initiatives and discrimination.^[33]

Call to Congress

The Association's Call to Congress is a biennial event. Diabetes advocates from across the United States congregate in Washington, D.C., to meet with their U.S. Representatives and senators and discuss how diabetes affects their lives.^[34] At the same time, advocates who are not able to come to Washington, D.C., participate in a call-in campaign directed toward members of Congress. The next Call to Congress will take place from March 11 to March 13, 2015, in Washington, D.C.