Self-Advocacy: What’s that got to do with me? 2008 WSTI Conference Presented by: Jenny Stonemeier, WI FACETS Julia Cartwright, WI FACETS www.wifacets.org
Consider
a definition of self-advocacy and selfdetermination.
Identify
and address the challenges of self-advocacy for students with disabilities and their families.
Review
characteristics of a self-determined person.
Review
the research on the effects of self-advocacy in the transition to adulthood.
Assess
use.
how you and your child can put self-advocacy to
“What am I going to do after school? Probably go home and take a nap.”
What
comes to mind when you hear the word self-advocacy?
What
makes self-advocacy a successful experience?
How
does it look and feel when YOU communicate what you need?
“We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…” -Declaration of Independence, 1776
Self-determination refers to the natural desire of most people to be in personal control of their own thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
What does the law say? The 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments, reauthorized in 2004 clearly support students independence, self-management, and self-determination.
Students Active
are team members
participation by students
Student
preferences and interests are considered
Students Active
are team members
participation by students
Student
preferences and interests are considered
How has your child, or a student you support, been involved with these 3 components of IDEA requirements both in their IEP meeting and outside school in your home and the community?
“It’s not so much that we’re afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it’s that place in between that we fear… It’s like being between trapezes. It’s Linus when his blanket is in the dryer. There’s nothing to hold on to.” -Marilyn Ferguson
Encourages Fosters
a sense of personal control.
independence and interdependence.
Increases
responsibility to make informed
choices. Encourages
individuals to create a vision.
Increases
motivation and self esteem.
Improves
quality of life.
People
with disabilities are demanding
it. Mandated
by the law.
Academic
success increased as students developed and used self determination skills. Higher
levels of self determination = higher employment rates.
Higher
levels of self determination = more independence as adults. Van Dycke and Cash (2003), Wehmeyer and Schwartz (1998)
What role have you, as a parent or teacher, played in helping prepare a student for adulthood? What are the barriers you have experienced in supporting a student’s preparation to adulthood?
Lack
of self knowledge
Lack
of understanding of the disability
Underdeveloped Low
problem solving skills
self-esteem
Feelings Inability Don’t
of hopelessness
to seek resources or ask for help
know what to ask for
Easier
for parent to advocate because you always have.
If you ask individuals with disabilities “What or who most helps and supports you to be selfdetermined?” They answer: “My parents.” But if you then ask them: “What or who most prevents you from being self-determined?” They answer: “My parents.”
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. -James Baldwin, Nobody Knows My Name, 1966
Helping a student be more selfdetermined. START
EARLY!
START START
SAFE!
NOW! (it’s never too late)
Helping a Child be more self-determined. Give
your child opportunities to practice decision making skills at home and at school. Help Help
your child learn about their disability.
your child gain an understanding of their strengths and challenges.
Give
your child opportunities AND STRATEGIES to do things independently. Cultivate
community participation and circle of support networks.
Encourage
your child and school to participate in developing self advocacy skills in their IEP and transition to adulthood knowing about laws that protect adults with disabilities and agencies that provide services. The game changes significantly after high school! PRACTICE!
PRACTICE! PRACTICE!
When I hear somebody sigh “Life is hard,” I am always tempted to ask, “Compared to what?” -Sydney Harris
“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door,” he used to say. “You step into the Road and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.” -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Thank You and please contact us With questions
[email protected] [email protected]
