Self-advocacy is
- when you speak-up for yourself and the things that are important to you.
- when you’re able to ask for what you need.
- when you can tell people about your thoughts and feelings.
- knowing your rights.
- when you can make decisions and choices.
Self-advocacy is important because
- you have more control
- you can make your own decisions about your life
- it empowers you
You can self-advocate when
- you want to be listened to
- you are in an assessment
- you are making a complaint
- you are creating or reviewing your care plan
Getting someone to help you make decisions doesn’t mean the final decision is not yours.
How do I self-advocate?
- decide on what you want to speak up about
- plan how you will do this
- speak up for yourself
Naomi talks about the importance of having a voice and how it feel when people take her voice away.
“It is important for me to have voice so I can say what I need. People can help me by listening to me, and not speaking on my behalf unless I give them permission, also please don’t interrupt me when I am speaking as this means I can forget what I am trying to say. I have had support workers who have not listened to me in the past and who had started talking for me. I didn’t like it. They didn’t want me to speak at all. I felt silenced. I felt like I was being punished.”
