Self-Advocacy
What is Self-Advocacy?
Self-advocacy means knowing what you need and speaking up for yourself in a clear and respectful way. A self-advocate is someone who:
- Asks for help when they need it
- Expresses their thoughts, feelings, and needs to others
- Knows their rights and responsibilities
- Makes choices and decisions that affect their life
Self-advocacy happens anytime a person asks for what they need. It can look like:
- Asking a teacher for extra help in school
- Letting a manager know what support you need to do your job well
- Telling a doctor about your symptoms and concerns
- Asking for help finding something in a store
- Requesting directions on a bus
- Expressing your opinion in a conversation with a friend or family member
Being a self-advocate is important for everyone, including people with disabilities. Knowing what you need and being able to ask for it can help you build confidence, independence, and success in everyday life.
Self-Determination
The California statewide Self-Determination Program is a voluntary alternative to the traditional way of providing regional center services. The SDP is being developed by the Department of Developmental Services to allow participants to have more control over selecting their services and supports. One of the ways this can be done is by giving participants (or their parents or legal representatives) a specific budget to purchase the services and supports that they need to make their person-centered plan work better for them. Participants may choose their services and pick which providers deliver those services. Participants are responsible for staying within their annual budget.
Learn more about the Self-Determination Program here.
Find Your Legislator
Use your residential address to find your California State and Assembly Representatives.
Tips for contacting your legislator can be found here.
Person-Centered Planning
Person-Centered Planning is an ongoing journey of discovery, creating a personalized guide that reflects an individual’s strengths, goals, and needs.
In this process, a team of supportive people—such as parents, siblings, close friends, therapists, educators, and healthcare professionals—works alongside the individual to build a meaningful plan for the future. This team is made up of those who truly care about and support the person’s well-being.
Together, they create a Person-Centered Plan, a flexible and evolving guide that grows and changes over time as the individual’s needs, interests, and dreams evolve. The plan helps others understand and support the person in the best way possible by including important details such as:
- Unique strengths and traits
- Career goals and aspirations
- Favorite activities and hobbies
- Where they want to live
- The best ways to offer support
- Things to avoid
By centering the individual’s voice and choices, Person-Centered Planning helps ensure they receive the support they need to thrive in the way that’s right for them.
An important part of the planning process is finding the right balance between what is important to a person and what is important for them. For example, a smartphone might be something that is very important to someone, while medication is important for their well-being. Understanding this balance helps create a meaningful plan that leads to real action.
A full Person-Centered Plan can cover many different areas of a person’s life and might be quite detailed. For a simpler way to share key information, a shorter, one-page version—called a One-Page Profile—can also be created.
Michael Smull and the Learning Community first developed this unique approach.
Learn more about person-centered planning here.
Understanding Disability Rights
Learning about disability rights is an important part of helping your child become a strong self-advocate. Knowing the laws that protect people with disabilities can help ensure they have the support and access they need at school, at work, and in everyday life.
What laws protect people with disabilities?
Several laws ensure the rights of people with disabilities:
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): This is the biggest federal law protecting the rights of adults with disabilities. It covers things like fair treatment at work and access to public places.
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): This law ensures students with disabilities get the support they need during their school years.
- California State Laws: In California, additional laws offer protections beyond federal law. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing highlights three key laws that help ensure equal access and fair treatment.
If you’re looking for more information on disability rights and how they apply in different situations, Disability Rights California is a great place to start. They offer helpful resources on many topics related to disability rights.
Programs for Youth with Disabilities
Yo! Disabled and Proud! is a program in California designed just for youth with disabilities. It helps young people connect, learn about their rights, and build self-advocacy skills. The program is run by the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, which is a great resource for disability support. To find out what self-advocacy programs are available near you, check with your local Independent Living Center.
Another great opportunity is the Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (YLF), offered by the California Department of Rehabilitation. This week-long program is for high school students with disabilities and focuses on self-advocacy and leadership development. Students learn important skills like communication, organization, and leadership to help them succeed in school, work, and life.