Make a Difference: Tools for Enabling Faculty to Teach Students with Disabilities

Keep your key administrators informed of progress of the project through monthly reports, regular meetings, phone contacts, and/or e-mail.
As a general way of operating long before you are ready to seek support on a given proposal, these are some ways that disability service directors can gain respect and influence on campus:

Participate in campus events, on committees, and in general be visible. Show that you have an interest in more than students with disabilities—that you care about the goals of the institution.
Offer training and technical assistance to faculty, staff, and administrators.
Go after grant funding when you find possibilities that fit with your needs and interests. This often involves building partnerships with other units on campus, and in general it gets positive attention. It helps your credibility that you were able to compete for funds to provide exemplary services (most grant funding is made available only for innovative projects). In addition, indirect funds from your grant, pieces of the pie, go to designated administrative offices, which is, of course, a positive aspect of this process for them.
Treat people with respect, but also as your peers. Everyone has a different rank and position. Yours is disability expert, and you are probably unique in this role. Don't be intimidated by those who may rank above you, and certainly don't place yourself above those who may rank below you. People at all levels have the ability to help or hurt your causes.
Be a positive force through your attitude and approach. If you must complain, do so only to one or two very trusted people. This does not mean you can't disagree. It's a matter of how you express your disagreement.