Steps for Self-Advocating
What is the first step of self-advocacy?
Get to know yourself;understand what skills you have; learn what areas you need more support in and areas that need less support
Benny was in his English class working on a paper, while he was working on his paper he noticed that he had some grammar errors. What could Benny do in order to get help?
Benny could ask for help from a teacher or para, classmate, or the student help center.
Because you...
get the support you need
What is the second step of self-advocacy?
Learn your rights and responsibilities
Jane just started working at a clothing store. She is not sure where different items belong throughout the store. What could she do in order to get help finding where the items belong?
Jane could ask another worker or ask a manager.
Because it...
promotes lifelong success
What is the third step of self-advocacy?
Speak up! Practice and learn different ways on how you can help yourself (advocate for those needs and wants)
Hannah was new to a High School and she did not know where her classes were. What would Hannah need to do to get help finding her classes?
1. Hannah needs to find a teacher or another student. 2. She can ask a teacher/student where the classrooms are OR She could go to the office and get a map of the school showing where classrooms are
Because we...
are able to understand each other
What is the fourth step of self-advocacy?
If you need more support, create a team of trusted people that can help support you and teach you how to self-advocate in new situations
Doris and Mary were working on a project together for their Public Speaking class. Mary did not like Doris's idea for their project. How would Mary tell Doris she does not like her idea?
While Mary and Doris are collaborating, Mary could politely say I am not sure about this topic, what about ______? (a different topic?)
Because we...
are able to communicate with one another about our needs and wants
What do these steps look like put together?
You understand current needs and wants; you assess what areas you might need more support with; you are able to apply current learned skills to speak up and advocate for self in familiar situations/settings; you trust certain people to help you learn and practice new advocating skills in new situations
You are out shopping and you need help reaching something that is up high on a shelf. What can you do?
1. Ask a store employee for help reaching desired item/object OR Ask another customer for helping reaching desired item/object
Because it promotes...
those who need more support to get the help they need by understanding and communicating their needs and wants to the correct people in order to achieve success