Self Advocacy
What is one part of Self-Advocacy
Asking for help, telling people about your needs and wants, working on your goals, knowing your rights and responsibilities, working on independent living skills.
True or False: Showing up on time to work every day is an example of professional behavior?
True!
True or False: I can get accommodations (changes or supports) at school or work.
True! We can get accommodations at school, work, or in life.
What is one college near us?
Bunker Hill, Boston University, UMass Boston, etc.
How should I look when a customer walks into the store?
Smiling, making eye contact, saying hello, standing up straight, asking if they need help.
True or False: You will have an IEP after high school?
False: You will no longer have an IEP, but you can still get accommodations in school or at work.
What are 2 ways we communicate with other people?
Talking out loud, calling on the phone, texting, email, Zoom, Facetime, writing a letter, body language, sign language, assistive technology.
When can you disclose a disability at work?
Anytime! Before you interview, during the interview, once you get the job, or whenever you think you need an accomodation.
What are 2 places you can look for jobs?
Your boss tells you to straighten up some shelves. You have some extra time and notice the shelves next to them are also really messy. What would be the right thing to do?
Straighten up the other messy shelves too.
Who is one person in your support system?
Parents, family, friends, teachers, boss, coworkers, community leaders, service providers, doctors, etc.
True or False: Telling my boss when I notice a problem at work is a good example of taking initiative.
True!
What are two accommodations we might get at school?
Extra time on tests, different assignments, aides, special education classes, assistive technology, mobility devices, distraction-free work space.
What can you do to feel calm before a job interview?
Practice the questions before, get there early, research the company and job, take a deep breath, tell yourself you got this.
A customer at the restaurant you work out is upset about their meal. What should you do?
Go get a manager or your boss.
If you are having a problem at work, who's someone you can ask for help?
Boss, HR, coworkers, shift manager, job coach
What would you wear to a professional workplace?
Button up shirt or sweater, dress pants, skirt or dress, nice shoes, tie or jacket optional.
True or False: If I see a task in the job description that I think will be hard for me because of my disability, I just can't apply to that job.
False! If you think you might struggle with part of a job because of your disability, you might be able to talk to your boss about getting an accomodation.
What's one thing that's talked about during my IEP meeting?
My goals, how I'm doing in school, what accommodations I'm getting, what I'm good at, etc.
My boss asks me to stock shelves for the first time. I remember I got some training on how to use the tablet to do that, but I don't really remember how. What should I do?
Ask my boss for help, ask a coworker for help, try to remember on my own.
Who are two people at this school who can help answer my questions about work or life after high school?
Life Skills Teachers, Guidance Counselors, Social Workers, etc.
What is one thing I can do to seem professional at work?
Standing up straight, making eye contact, using good language, helping solve problems, being friendly and polite, respecting my supplies, showing up on time
Alice has a disability that makes reading hard for her. It is easier for her to remember things when they are said out loud or on video. Her first day, her boss gives her a big packet of rules and training. What can she do?
Ask her boss for an accomodation: She can tell her boss about her disability and the challenge and ask if she can get the training out loud or have more time to read it with someone.
What's something on a college campus?
Admissions, disability services, sports, clubs, libraries, cafeteria, tutoring, etc.
I always feel really stressed after work. What's something I can do to feel better?
Listen to music, play video games, watch TV, talk to someone, go outside, take a break, keep trying my best, breathing excercises