Participants learn about the history and cultural context of their struggles, develop the tools necessary to identify and pursue issues, and work with experienced community organizers in developing strategies and tactics. Following the workshops, project staff provide on-going technical assistance with issue and organizing work. Working in local groups, workshop participants select a winnable issue to organize around.
Issues vary depending on each group's size, experience, and organizational capacity.
Past issues have included poverty, discrimination in employment, safe and affordable housing, health care reform, accessible transportation, and closing institutions. Groups may also choose to focus on local concerns involving safe streets, disability awareness, making buildings accessible, or improving conditions at sheltered workshops. Common Vision is based on the premise that lasting self-advocacy is developed when individuals work together in groups and identify issues of common concern. Participatory learning, relationship building, community building, and the technical assistance aspects of this method are critical to its success. Common Vision participants gain the knowledge, skills, and support to go back to their communities and recruit others to organize around issues.