What is Self-Advocacy?

Self-advocacy is about independent groups of people with disabilities working together for justice by helping each other take charge of their lives and fight discrimination (Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered). Self-advocacy refers to individuals advocating for themselves versus having someone else speak for them; and in the larger context describes a grassroots civil rights movement where individuals participate on their own and within self-advocate run organizations or associations in a variety of activities designed to influence public policy and practice as it relates to equal opportunity. There are three principles which guide self advocacy groups. These include:

• Self-advocacy groups are run by people with disabilities. Group leaders and members are people with disabilities. The leaders are selected by group members, not by advisors or service providers.
• Self-advocacy groups are independent of service provider agencies; however, service provider organizations may provide material support to the group but not have any say over the group’s activities and decisions. Self-advocacy groups will typically meet at locations that are not owned or operated by provider organizations.
• Advisors will be selected by the group members and will support, teach when needed, and advise the group, but will not control or lead the group in any way.