Self-Advocacy
Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself, standing up for your rights and making your own decisions without the influence or control of other people. It also means that people are controlling their life choices, financial resources and supports.
Self-advocacy is both part of the larger disability rights movement and a movement specifically of persons with developmental disabilities.
The self-advocacy movement for people with disabilities started out of the civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s, but it is still quite new.
VOTE!
National Technical Assistance Center for Voting and Cognitive Access believes that it is very important for people with disabilities to vote and learn how to vote. We are very excited about the new public service announcement we just did. This project was created by the national self-advocacy organization Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered and some other self-advocates. This is a message for people with disabilities wanting other people with disabilities to go out and vote and make a difference. Also to show others without disabilities that people can vote. -Tia Nelis Download video here (3MB)
Materials created by IDHD
Getting involved in research PDF Word
Use of State Institutions for People with Intellectual Disabilities in Illinois (2006) PDF Word
Use of State Institutions for People with Intellectual Disabilities in the US (2005) PDF Word
IDHD Self-Advocacy Resources
DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center
Great Lakes provides information, materials, technical assistance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Topics addressed include non-discrimination requirements in employment - obligations of state and local governments and business to ensure that programs, services, and activities are readily accessible to and useable by people with disabilities. This includes access to information technology used by these entities such as web sites, software, and kiosks.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities (RRTCADD) Clearinghouse
The RRTCADD Clearinghouse provides resources and products promoting the healthy aging of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in response to physical, cognitive, and environmental changes. Visit their publications page here.
National Technical Assistance Center for Voting and Cognitive Access
The RRTC/ADD is a partner of the National Technical Assistance Center.
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Additional Resources |
SABE Develops People First Language Brochure
ADAPT Fighting for supports for people with disabilities so they may live in the community instead of nursing homes and other institutions.
Advocating Change Together (ACT) is a grassroots disability rights organization run by and for people with developmental and other disabilities. ACT's mission is to help people across disabilities to see themselves as part of a larger disability rights movement and make connections to other civil and human rights struggles.
Equip for Equality Directory of Illinois websites for people with disabilities, family members, service providers, and professionals
Family Support Network of Illinois Unifying individuals with disabilities and their families to advocate for funding, services, and community resources.
Illinois Voices Empowering people with developmental and other disabilities.
LifeMyWay is collecting stories from every corner of Illinois so that our voices can be heard. Our mission is to show you what we can do. Look at who we are, what we like and where we want to go in life.
National Disability Rights Network Protection and advocacy for individuals with disabilities.
Click here to find your state's protection and advocacy organization.
Parallels in Time: The Self Advocacy Movement A timeline of the self-advocacy movement from the 1980's to today.
People First of Illinois Empowering people with disabilities.
Click here for the state chapter directory.
Proud to be Disabled A public education project by self-advocates.
Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) Supporting self-advocates to speak up to gain their independence nationwide.
Click here for the state chapter directory.
Speaking for Ourselves An independent, grassroots advocacy organization run by and for people with developmental disabilities.
Tell Us Your Story A disability discussion forum.
The Riot! The Riot! is an e-newsletter for self-advocates.
The Disability Rights Convention in accessible format
Plain text version of the Convention. http://www.hpod.org/pdf/we-have-humna-rights.pdf
A plain English version of the Convention can be found at http://ratifynow.org/un-convention/crpd-in-plain-language/
