There are several ways that individuals with developmental disabilities describe and define
self advocacy including:
Speaking up for
themselves; Making their voices
heard; Making their views
known; Making choices and
changes in their own lives; Coming together to
support each other and have a say in the policies and practices that affect
their lives.
Activities of self advocacy groups include:
Making people aware
of their rights; Training and talking
to other people about self advocacy; Making information
more accessible by using audiotapes or pictures; Making concrete
changes to improve their lives (i.e. improve voter accessibility); Working to increase
choices and quality of supports; Planning and
organizing self advocacy conferences; Assisting people to
speak up about abuse and exploitation; Organizing
to fight against discrimination.
In summary, self advocacy
means:
Thinking for
yourself; Saying what you
think; Having relationships
like anyone else; People listening to
you; Making mistakes; Taking risks; Taking
responsibility; Making decisions; Standing up for your rights.
RESOURCES: E-Newsletters - http://www.hsri.org/leaders/theriot/
Self Advocates Becoming Empowered - http://www.sabeusa.org/ http://www.adapt.org/
Advocating Change Together (ACT) - http://www.selfadvocacy.com/
My Life, My Choice - http://www.farnorthernrc.org/mylifemychoice/
