Self-advocacy
BY TAMMY MILLS
Published: Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a self-advocate with a disability? Does it sound like it’s a very important piece of work?
Self-advocacy means standing up for one’s beliefs and rights, as well as speaking up for oneself. When you stand up for yourself, you’re actually advocating for yourself. When you stand up for other people with disabilities, you’re advocating for other people. However, when you stand together as a group, you’re advocating together as one whole unit, not just as individuals. That’s what self-advocacy means to me.
When Roland Johnson was a boy, he spent part of his life in Pennhurst, an institution for children and young adults with disabilities in Pennsylvania. After leaving that institution, Johnson went from boarding home to boarding home as those entrusted with his care treated him poorly and took the money he earned from the jobs he performed.
Then Johnson got involved with self-advocacy. Prior to this involvement, he was shy and scared when he attended meetings. Overcoming these fears, he forced himself to speak in the groups, and people listened. While he was involved with self-advocacy, he spoke at an international conference in Canada in 2003. His speech entitled, “Who’s in Control?” was very powerful.
The speech can be heard at the end of a book on tape called “Roland Johnson’s Lost in a Desert World,” as told to Karl Williams. It can be ordered at amazon.com.
If you or someone you know has a child with a disability, teach them about self-advocacy. It’s never too early and it’s never too late for them to start learning about self-advocacy. The more they know what it means to them, the most likely they’ll want to be a self-advocate and be more involved in their communities.Tammy Mills is a self-advocacy consultant with People First of NH where she writes articles for the statewide newsletter and gives presentations at conferences for other self-advocates. Contact her at (800) 566-2128. www.peoplefirstofnh.org