Blog written by McKenna Strange
Self-advocacy is speaking up about your needs to reach your goals and function in society. Living with a disability requires varying degrees of advocacy, and it is important to know the tips and skills to do this well and make your needs and wants clear. Some situations you might need to advocate for yourself are at school, work, health appointments, and home.
Self-advocacy is important because you know your needs best and are directly affected by your disability. Advocating for yourself builds confidence in your ability to ask for help from others. Another reason this is important is you might not always have another person with you to help advocate for your needs, so having the confidence and ability to speak up for your needs allows you to be more independent.
Tips for Self-Advocacy
- Identify Your Need or Problem: The first step is to identify what you need extra support to do and tools that can help you reach that goal.
- It’s OK to Ask for Help: It can be hard to admit that you need help or ask another person for assistance, but everyone needs a little support sometimes. It’s about recognizing that you need extra support and letting others help you.
- Know Your Rights: As individuals with disabilities, it’s important to know that you have certain rights that are protected. ADA laws protect you in areas of employment, participating in and receiving state and local government services, transportation, public accommodations, telecommunication relay services, and protection against harassment.
- Be Clear About What You Are Asking for and Be Kind: It’s important to clearly ask for what you need. Writing this down or practicing what you want to say can help clearly express what kind of help you need. This helps you and those supporting you reach a decision that works best. Also, being friendly goes a long way with others’ willingness to listen and help you. When you come from a calm and respectful place, it allows the conversation to be more productive.
- My Personal Tip: I find it helpful to have a family member or friend with me to help with confidence or if I lose my nerve to speak up, it’s helpful to have a support person back me up. This has also helped me build my confidence in advocating for myself.
You Can Do It!
Self-advocacy does take practice, but it is possible for you to speak up for your needs and empower yourself in the process. With these tips and some confidence in yourself, you are capable of advocating for yourself!
