Self Advocacy

Becoming an adult is a challenging process. In order to be successful in making the transition from school to adult life, you will need to learn to advocate for yourself. Making decisions by yourself and expressing your needs are important elements in becoming an adult. You will need to take some risks to gain control over your life.

Self-advocacy is:

1. Taking responsibility for your own life
2. Knowing your responsibilities
3. Knowing your rights
4. Making choices
5. Asking for help when needed
6. Understanding your disability, how it affects learning, and how accommodations can help you in learning and life.

The Virginia Intercommunity Transition Council has a web site through the Division of Special Education and Student Services of the Virginia Department of Education. In addition to the definition of self-advocacy above, the site provides information on developing self-advocacy skills.

The Youth Leadership Forum is a four day program of the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities held in the summer for rising high school juniors and seniors from Virginia who have a disability, are highly motivated, and have demonstrated leadership potential. YLF-VA program seeks to empower young people with disabilities to further develop their leadership skills. Students participate in a wide range of activities and learning experiences through a curriculum that includes training and development of individual career and life-goals, leadership skills, social skills, and self-esteem.

Partners in Policymaking is a program of the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities. Partners in Policymaking participants are people who live in Virginia, have a developmental disability or are parents of young children with developmental disabilities. Individuals attending the program will participate in advocacy skill workshops, resource development, and leadership training.

LDOnline is a web site on learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and other professionals. The site includes a section on Self-Advocacy for College Students, which responds to some myths about self-advocacy in a post-secondary setting.

Training Resources Network, Inc. offers many publications on Person Centered Planning, which puts the student at the center of the planning process.