If you don`t stand up for yourself who will
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Transcript If you don`t stand up for yourself who will
If you don‘t stand up for your
self who will
Ana Lipicar
Natasa Mauko
What is self advocacy?
• No definition
• The process of people speaking out for
themselves, thereby gaining or regaining
control over their lives
• It means that you arm yourself with the tools
and skills necessary to feel comfortable
about asserting yourself and communicating
clearly about your needs
What is self advocacy - 2
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fighting for your rights
Standing on your own two feet
Doing your own thing
Telling people what you want
Sharing problems
Making choices
What is self-advocacy - 3
• Taking responsibility for your own life.
• Enjoying the same rights as everyone else.
• Getting rid of words like 'spaz, 'cripple' and
'handicapped'.
• Being part of a support group.
• Not letting parents and carers run our lives.
• Coming and going when we like.
One for us, http://www.oneforus.com/Self_Advoca.31.0.html
Why is self-advocacy
important?
• Gives a feeling of having a control
over your life
• Is a way of reaching out to others
• It can improve quality of life
• Self-advocacy groups – important for people
with intellectual disabilities
• Small groups usually lead by professionals
• The aim - to create a save environment
where people can talk about their problems
• Different topics which are discussed and
sometimes they make different initiatives
• The European Platform of Self-Advocates
(EPSA)
Where can you Self-Advocate?
• There are many places that you might want to
speak-up for yourself or ask for what you want such
as:
• At home
• At work
• At school
• At the hospital
• At the doctor
• At the shops
• On the bus
How to become
your own best
advocate?
How to become your own best selfadvocate
• Say what you think and feel,
• speak-up for things you believe in,
• understands and know about your rights
and responsibilities,
• take responsibility for your own life,
• make decisions that affect your life,
• help to improve your life,
• try to change the way things are done.
Remember ...
• The internet is a powerful tool
for self-advocacy and also it is
able to promote selfadvocacy.
Influences
• Society as a whole
Inaccessible environment
Not only physical barriers but
also communicational barriers
Dependent
Attitude towards disabled
people
•Is a mirror of society
•Prejudices – lack of confidence
•Attitude of disabled people
• Educational institutions
Big influence on our personality
and values
Regular school
Faculty – to demanding or to
little
• What can be done?
Website information
Open to suggestions
Informed
Communicate
• Home environment – what can
parents do
Advice and support for parents
Encourage their children to stand
up for themselves
Set of choices
Child speaks to others about
matters regarding him
Where can selfadvocacy lead
Example from
Slovenia
Our organisation, The Slovenian
Association of Disabled Student
• 1995 - left on their own, without support and
adjustments
• 1996 – Club of disabled students (24
members)
providing adopted transportation and daily care
free of charge
collecting information regarding disabled
students and informing faculties and society
about their special needs
Today
• Association of 210 members
• Support free of charge
• Strong voice for students
• International active
Self-advocacy isn‘t
• just about rights; it's about
responsibilities too,
• just for the most able; people with
severe learning difficulties have a voice
too,
• something you do in a group, it's a way
of life,
• isn't a current fad; it's about
personal and civil rights,
• isn't a solution to all problems;
society will have to change for
people to get their rights,
• isn't about being bolshy and
aggressive,
• isn't about getting everythin you want;
it's about being part of the real world
like everyone else,
• isn't just about consultation with
services; people decide what they want
to speak up about not the services or
staff.
One for us, http://www.oneforus.com/Self_Advoca.31.0.html
It’s something
students need to learn
because they’ll be
doing this the rest of
their lives
The Slovenian
Association of Disabled
Students
[email protected]