What is the definition of Self-Advocacy?

Self-Advocacy means speaking up for yourself about the rights and responsibilities in your life. People who speak up for themselves are called “Self-Advocates” and having once learned how to speak up for themselves can assist others to do so as well.

The process of becoming a Self-Advocate allows the individual to educate themselves on issues that are of importance to them. For example, if a person finds that they will need to ride a bus to work, but finds that the service does not run when they need it, can work with others to make changes to the service. First, they probably will need to find out more about the problem, such as…

Self-determination means that individuals with disabilities have the FREEDOM to plan their own lives, pursue the things that are important to them and to experience the same life opportunities as other people in their communities.  Self-determination has three primary, interrelated meanings for people with developmental disabilities.

1. Self-determination is a shared effort where individuals and those important to them work to create a life in community.

2. Self-determination is a political movement.

3. Self-determination refers to an approach of restructuring the way supports are made available to the people who need them.