Self-advocacy is being able to speak up for oneself. It is being able to make decisions about one’s own life. It is learning information so that one can understand things that are of interest. It is knowing one’s rights and responsibilities. It is taking part in problem solving. It is reaching out to others when one has a need. People with self-advocacy skills are more likely to do well in school, work, and life. Self-advocacy skills are important to health and safety.

There are four parts to becoming an effective self-advocate:

• knowing yourself

• knowing your needs - such as interventions, accommodations, modifications

• knowing your rights

• knowing how to get what you need

This means communication, education, and having a support system are all key to self-advocacy.

Skills within the self-advocacy area include knowledge, use, and judgement of:

• self-awareness

  • understanding self

  • understanding one’s needs and preferences

  • understanding one’s rights

• communication

• navigating resources

• forming and nurturing relationships

• perspective taking

• goal-setting

• choice-making

• decision-making

• problem solving

The goal is self-determination. For the person to be able to speak up for themselves. To be able to make informed, authentic decisions, and be empowered to make those decisions.

Useful resources for self-advocacy skills:

• ME! Lessons for Teaching Self-Awareness & Self Advocacy from The University of Oklahoma’s Zarrow Center for Learning Enrichment

• Project10’s Self-Advocacy & Self-Determination webpage includes a variety of resources including: assessments, curricula and courses

• Wrightslaw’s Self-Advocacy webpage includes a variety of resources

References:

Cantley, P., Little, K., & Martin, J. E. (2010). ME! Lessons for Teaching Self-Awareness and Self-Advocacy. Retrieved from http://www.ou.edu/content/education/centers-and-partnerships/zarrow/trasition-education-materials/me-lessons-for-teaching-self-awareness-and-self-advocacy.html

Fowler, Catherine & Wood, Wendy & Brewer, Denise & Eddy, Steven. (2005). A Conceptual Framework of Self-Advocacy for Students with Disabilities. Remedial and Special Education - REM SPEC EDUC. 26. 43-54. 10.1177/07419325050260010601.

Kleinert JO, Harrison EM, Fisher TL, Kleinert HL. “I Can” and “I Did”—Self-Advocacy for Young Students with Developmental Disabilities. TEACHING Exceptional Children. 2010;43(2):16-26. doi:10.1177/004005991004300202

Project10. (retrieved 2021). Self-Advocacy & Self-Determination. http://project10.info/DPage.php?ID=185

Wrightslaw. (2020). Self-Advocacy. https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/self.advocacy.htm

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