Because it equips children with the tools they’ll need to thrive and take an active role in shaping their own lives, self-advocacy education is a priority at our school. Self-advocacy is a skill that all students, including those without disabilities, need to develop via explicit education and repeated practice.
Ways to better advocate for yourself!
Act in a bold and original manner
The best way to acquire the assistance you require is to be aware of and articulate your rights to services, accommodations, and equipment. Be succinct and go to the point in your communication. The person from the agency will have all they need to know about your past from your medical records. Make a list ahead of time of everything you will need to ensure you don’t forget anything and be sure to include several alternatives in case some of your primary selections are sold out.
Think Ahead and Make a Strategy
If you’ve recently come to the conclusion that you require supplementary assistance, it’s best to come to your meeting with a list of items you’d want to have checked off. Start by making a list of everything you’ll need in the near future and down the road, including any suggestions your doctor has for facilities, transportation, or medical gear. Prepare for a meeting by thinking about what you hope to get out of it, reviewing relevant materials, and consulting with reliable contacts before the big day. Preparing an agenda or list of objectives to discuss will help you get the most out of your meeting time.
Keep Tabs
Maintaining precise records is essential. This will help to prove that you require certain assistance, such as a wheelchair or other medical device. Keep all of your confidential correspondence, including letters, assessments, and notices, in a safe and easily accessible location. These documents will be required by disability agencies and utilised to bolster your own advocacy efforts.
Have faith in yourself and give your wants and needs first priority
Ultimately, no one but yourself can satisfy your requirements. Advocates must first have confidence in themselves. Realize that you have the power to determine your own fate and that you already possess the knowledge necessary to enhance your quality of life. To a great extent, this depends on you. So, tell me, what do you need? Where do you want to go with self-advocacy? The way forward will be illuminated by your responses to those inquiries.
Get everything, including decisions, put in writing
It is essential to seek out relevant information from healthcare providers, government agencies, and other groups. Your case will be strengthened by having all of the relevant conversations and choices documented. Document everything you do to keep track of your progress. It’s helpful to have everything documented so that you can examine it afterwards. If you don’t agree with a decision, you can request to see it and the rationale behind it in writing.
Proposed Temporary Measures
In the period until a judgement is made on your case, you may want to look into alternative possible courses of action and the available resources to support you. Your meetings will not always result in a successful outcome. Discuss with everyone concerned the best short-term remedies you can implement until the underlying problems can be fixed.
A Chance to Fight It
In fact, this is a basic human entitlement. In the event of a case loss, the losing party has the “right to appeal,” which allows them to request a review by a higher court. You have the right to due process, which ensures a reasonable trial. That means having access to a fair trial with competent legal representation and the right to pursue an appeal. You have the option to appeal a decision if it does not go in your favour. Get all the details in writing, especially concerning the appeals procedure. Be sure you have a firm grasp of the timetable and steps involved. You must file your appeal in a timely manner.