In contrast to individualized advocacy performed daily by staff, CRI engages in advocacy efforts which are directed at changing the policies and priorities which affect a large cross-section of the disability population. These efforts are directed at government officials at the municipal, state and federal levels, the legislatures, commercial businesses and other policy-making bodies.

The vehicle for performing this advocacy efficiently in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the Statewide Action Team (SWAT). The project was initiated in 1994 by the PA Statewide Independent Living Council (PASILC), which has prioritized the establishment of a coordinated and unified statewide advocacy project.

The project is funded through the authority of Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act. Advocacy projects are facilitated at each of Pennsylvania's fourteen centers for independent living by a staff person known as the Statewide Action Team Coordinator (SWATCO). Local advocacy groups led by SWATCOs identify issues and develop strategies for communicating with policy makers and ultimately, affecting positive changes in the community.

Many years prior to the SWAT program, CRI established its first advocacy group known as the Northwestern Pennsylvania Task Force on Independent Living. Over the years, this group has evolved and is now known as the Erie County Coalition of Persons with Disabilities (ECCPD).

CRI has helped establish additional groups in the following counties:

• Mercer
• Venango
• Warren
• Crawford

The Mercer county group is known as Helping Persons with Disabilities (HPD) and is located at CRI's Hermitage office. The groups meet one or two times a month to work on state and local advocacy issues that affect the communities. Any person with a disability is welcome to join a group in their area.