Get a Head Start on Legislative Advocacy at Your County Delegation Meeting

Check the county legislative delegation meeting calendar now!

County legislative delegation meetings open doors to share disability-related priorities with state legislators before Florida's 2026 legislative session. Because of the early session in 2026, meetings have already started.

Delegation meetings are public gatherings with state senators and representatives who represent all or portions of each county. They allow citizens and local organizations to make budget requests, propose laws, and share needs and opinions related to issues important to them. Each county in Florida hosts a meeting usually before or at the beginning of the legislative session. Florida's 60-day session begins January 13, 2026.

Several disability advocacy websites give information on delegation meetings. The Arc of Florida has a delegation calendar containing the dates for upcoming meetings and the requirements for speaking at each meeting. Another source of delegation meeting information is the flddadvocacy.org website, which is from We the People, By the People, FOR ALL THE PEOPLE. Each county has different requirements for speaking at the meetings.

As always, when speaking to legislators, self-advocates should be prepared with talking points related to disability issues important to their community. Your speech should start by introducing yourself, telling your story--which should include how the issue impacts your life--and making a clear request for the legislators to work on a solution to the issue in the form of funding or possibly policy change. Speakers are given a short time (usually less than three minutes) to present their ideas, so rehearse your talking points before the meeting. Information on delegation meeting advice can be found on this We the People, By the People, FOR ALL THE PEOPLE YouTube video. You can also find speeches given by self-advocates and their families on their channel.

Talking with legislators is one way to advocate for laws and budget items that benefit individuals with disabilities. Your county delegation meeting allows you to speak with several legislators at once. Look up the date of your county’s meeting, sign up to speak, and make your voice heard!