Self-Advocacy

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify the four key components of effective self-advocacy
• Practice using self-advocacy skills in realistic scenarios
• Create a personal plan for advocating for a current need

Part 1: Introduction

30 seconds

“Self-advocacy is about speaking up for yourself and your needs in an effective way. This is a crucial skill whether you’re dealing with teachers, employers, healthcare providers, or anyone else who has resources or authority you need to work with.”

Part 2: Four Key Elements of Self-Advocacy

3 minutes

“Effective self-advocacy has four main parts:

1. Know your needs and rights. Before any conversation, be clear about:
   • What exactly you need
   • Why you need it
   • What rights or policies support your request
2. Communicate clearly and respectfully. Use this format to express yourself: 

‘I feel _____ when _____ because _____. What I need is _____.’

For example: ‘I feel frustrated when I can’t complete assignments because I don’t have internet access at home. What I need is information about computer labs I could use after school.’

1. Be persistent without being aggressive. If you hear ‘no’ at first:
   • Stay calm and keep your tone respectful
   • Ask questions to understand the reason for the ‘no’
   • Suggest alternatives or compromises
   • Focus on solving the problem together
2. Know when and how to escalate. If your initial request doesn’t work:
   • Ask who else might be able to help
   • Find out if there’s a way to respectfully challenge the decision. 
   • Look for an advocate who can support you
   • Document your conversations (write down what happened, what you did/said and what they did/said)

The most important thing is preparation—know what you want, why it matters, and have some possible solutions ready before you start the conversation.”

Part 3: Quick Practice

1 minute

“Think about something you need help with right now. How would you use the ‘I feel’ format to express this need clearly to someone who could help?”

Part 4: Closing

30 seconds

“Self-advocacy is a muscle that gets stronger with practice. Start with smaller requests before tackling bigger ones. Remember that being prepared, specific, and solution-focused makes others more likely to help you. This week, try using the ‘I feel’ format in one conversation where you need to ask for something.”