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SELF –ADVOCACY

SELF –ADVOCACY . AN ESSENTIAL LIFETIME SKILL. WHAT SELF-ADVOCACY IS NOT AND WHAT IT IS. Self-advocacy is NOT the ability to win arguments or fights.

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SELF –ADVOCACY

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  1. SELF –ADVOCACY AN ESSENTIAL LIFETIME SKILL

  2. WHAT SELF-ADVOCACY IS NOT AND WHAT IT IS • Self-advocacy is NOT the ability to win arguments or fights. • It is the ability to respectfully and effectively convey your talents and abilities, as well as what you need/want, to successfully resolve a conflict and/or obtain what you need or want. • Self-advocacy enables individuals to be the in charge of their own decisions and situations.

  3. Often spontaneous Often requires little or no explanation or documentation Can be among peers Often involves social or casual interaction Usually does not result in follow-up Types of Self Advocacy FormalInformal • Planned • Often includes documentation • Often hierarchy exists • Rules, regulations or laws may be involved • May result in formal complaint being made if issue is not resolved

  4. The First Step: Know Yourself • Understand Your Strengths • Personal • Academic/In the World of Work • Know Your Challenges • Personal • Academic/In the World of Work • Become Aware of Past Coping Methods • What was and was not effective for meeting your needs/wants? • Did those methods promote or inhibit independence and/or success? • Identify What Is Important to You

  5. The Second Step: Know the Situation and Define the Problem • What do you need or wish to accomplish? • Be specific and accurate • Keep goal in forefront • What unique challenge or circumstance do you believe is or could interfere with what you wish to accomplish? • Be clear, concise and complete in your assessment • In what way do these interfere? • Be specific and factual

  6. The Third Step: Identify and Prepare Possible Solutions • What could be done to resolve the problem? • Consider many—advantages and disadvantages of each • Must be reasonable and relevant • Draw upon previous experience/knowledge • How do I wish for this to happen? • Be flexible—keep options open • Must be within the ability and/or responsibility of the other party to negotiate or change • Who would be involved in the resolution? • Remember this is about YOU taking responsibility • Include person closest to the challenge first • What do I see as the outcome? • Be clear, concise and attainable

  7. Tips for Being a Good Self-Advocate • Develop Effective Communication Skills • Speak calmly, clearly, and with confidence • Listen closely to what the other person is saying • Be Assertive, Not Aggressive • State your position in a reasonable tone of voice • Calmly repeat or restate your position if necessary • Accept the other person’s position as valid, even if you disagree • Do not become defensive or begin an argument • Do not use inappropriate language

  8. Tips for Formal Self-Advocacy • Learn Negotiating Skills • Should be with person who has authority to provide you with what you are asking • Works best when there is flexibility or discretion • Depends on good preparation/notes brought to meeting • Try to find middle ground or realistic, reasonable compromise that allows everyone to feel they have been heard

  9. Formal Self-Advocacy (cont.) • Keep Detailed Notes and Records • Provide evidence and reminders if needed in the future • A brief outline of the issue and outcome you wish to achieve • Names of people you have spoken to, brief details of these conversations • Details of all actions taken • Follow up if necessary • File and save

  10. What Can You Do If You Feel Your Issues Have Not Been Resolved • Informal Situation • Who can I go to for assistance? • What do I say? • Formal Situation • What are my rights? • Who can I go to for assistance? • What do I say? • Will there be recrimination?

  11. Closing Thoughts • Knowledge of yourself, your needs, and what you wish to accomplish is key • Know your rights and responsibilities • Be patient, but persistent • Keep your message positive—be polite • Be willing to listen • Document the situation if appropriate • Practice makes self-advocacy easier

  12. “There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction” John F. Kennedy

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