Understanding Self-Advocacy
What is self-advocacy?
Self-advocacy is the act of speaking up for yourself to communicate your needs, thoughts, and feelings, and making your own choices to get what you want. It involves knowing your rights, setting goals, and taking responsibility for decisions to improve your life, often by requesting necessary support or accommodations.
What does ADA Stand for?
Americans with Disabilities Act
Who is an example of somebody that can be a part of your support system
Family, Friends, Teachers, Counselor, Supervisors
What is an accommodation for someone who has trouble focusing?
A fidget, noise canceling headphones, breaking down tasks into smaller parts
Someone has a physical disability or injury that makes it difficult to stand all day. How can they self-advocate?
Ask for a chair, breaks to sit down and rest, or a mat to stand on (Anti-fatigue Matting)
True or False: Self-advocacy is only important for people with disabilities.
Self-advocacy is important for everyone to communicate their needs and rights.
True or False: You can be fired for asking for an accommodation at work.
False. It is illegal to fire someone for requesting a reasonable accommodation for their disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
True or False a friend or peer can be a person of support for self-advocacy?
True
What is an accommodation for someone who is easily overstimulated?
noise canceling headphones, working in another environment alone.
Someone has a disability that causes them to become fatigue/sleepy. How can they self-advocate?
Can ask for a modified/flexible work schedule
Why is self-advocacy important?
It allows you to receive support and/or accommodations to be successful
Who do you have to disclose your disability to in the workplace?
No one, it is not required to disclose your disability. It is recommended to disclose if you need an accommodation
Who should you talk to at work to get an accommodation.
Your Supervisor, Human Resources (HR), the hiring manager.
What is an accommodation for someone who has trouble remember tasks?
Having a written list of tasks and instruction.
Someone who can become easily overwhelmed/overstimulated. How can they self-advocate?
They can ask to take a break, get some water and/or step outside. They could also ask for noise cancelling headphones or another assistive device
What are the 3 keys to self advocacy
1. Know Yourself
2. Know what you need to be successful
3. Know how to get what you need/Know your rights
What document is used to track your goals and need for support?
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
True or False: You should only rely on yourself when advocating for your needs.
False: you can and should ask people in your support system to help advocate for you.
What is an accommodation for someone who is unable to independently
A job coach
Someone is struggling to understand/follow verbal instructions. How can they self-advocate?
Ask for instructions to be repeated, written down and/or ask for visual aids. They can also ask for the supervisor/teacher/coworker/job coach to walk through the steps with them
What is an example of self-advocacy?
Asking for help, asking for extra time, setting boundaries and saying no
What can you do if you are being discriminated against in the workplace
Speak up, tell a trusted adult, and report it to a manager
Who can you go to for support while your in school
School Counselor, Trusted teacher, school nurses, coaches, social workers
What is an accommodation for someone who has trouble with time management?
A timer, extra time, verbal cues/reminders
You ask for an accomodation in the workplace. Your supervisor/manager tells you they need proof of your disability. What do you do?
Get a medical professional's diagnosis explaining what your diagnosis is, how it affects your ability to work, and recommendations from that professional on what changes can help you do your job
They may also need to specify the duration of the diagnosis/limitation if there is one