There’s only one person on this planet who knows you better than anyone else: you. You are the center of your support system! That means it’s important to learn how to be your own best ally when a situation demands it.
Self-advocacy means standing up for yourself, expressing your feelings, and making choices to help you meet your goals.
It doesn’t come easily in every situation, but even small acts of advocacy can have a huge impact on your quality of life. Read on to learn more about what self-advocacy means, what it looks like, and why it’s so important.
Defining Self-Advocacy
Self-advocacy means making choices for yourself, communicating your wants, and asserting your specific needs. However you prefer to communicate and make yourself understood, you can use your resources to let others know how you want to be treated.
It can be scary to challenge someone else’s opinions or speak up for yourself, but it’s sometimes necessary. Self-advocacy is all about making your voice heard, but it’s okay to need some practice.
What does self-advocacy look like?
You may already be practicing self-advocacy in your daily life without even realizing it. Here are some tools that might be used to support self-advocacy:
- Legal documents: Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students who need extra support, Individual Program Plans (IPP) for CA Regional Center services, or an OHR-1 form to get reasonable workplace accommodations are examples of documents used to advocate for individuals’ needs.
- Actions: Choosing your own doctor, getting new sensory tools, or modifying your home to make it more comfortable are all forms of self-advocacy.
- Asking questions: Getting clarification, answers, or support from others when you need it.
- Setting goals: Creating personal goals and making plans to achieve them is a subtle form of self-advocacy. Knowing what you want is the first step to getting it.
It’s important to note that self-advocacy doesn’t always need to be dramatic or confrontational. Self-advocacy can be as simple as letting a friend know you aren’t comfortable going to a party, or telling a family member you don’t like the nickname they use for you. It can also mean making choices for yourself about where you live, who you live with, and how you spend your time.
Outside of your personal life, self-advocacy can help you get fair treatment and respect in formal settings. For example, in school or at work, asking for adjustments to your schedule or workspace to accommodate your unique needs is an important form of self-advocacy. People may not be aware of your needs until you make them known and give others the chance to support and encourage you.
How is self-advocacy different from regular advocacy?
Advocacy means taking action to support a person, cause, or decision. This can mean sharing your feelings and opinions, offering help, or speaking up on someone else’s behalf. Advocacy is the way we make our voices heard and get things done.
When you practice self-advocacy, you are doing this for yourself. We use regular advocacy to look out for others, but being our own champion when it comes to getting what we need in life is just as important.
Why Self-Advocacy Matters for Adults With Disabilities
Practicing self-advocacy is important for everyone, but for adults with disabilities, it can be life-changing. Learning when and how to make yourself heard, ask for accommodations, and point out unfair treatment can help you get the respect and care you deserve.
The unique needs of adults with disabilities, whether social, physical, or emotional, can often be overlooked in a society built for neurotypical, able-bodied people. Even those who care about you may not always know how to best support you. By making your needs clear to those around you, you can show others how to advocate on your behalf, as well.
It’s not always easy, but self-advocacy can open doors for adults with disabilities, providing opportunities for greater independence and self-reliance.
Learn More About Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination With NeuroNav
Self-determination is a huge part of self-advocacy. It’s the idea that people have a right to make decisions about their lives—like setting personal goals, choosing how they spend their time, and making plans for the future.
Residents of California living with disabilities can take advantage of the Self-Determination Program (SDP). It’s a program that supports individuals looking to have more say in the services and benefits they receive.
See how NeuroNav can support self-advocacy, and help advocate on your behalf with our independent facilitation services. To learn more about your self-determination options, schedule a consultation today.
