The Importance of Self-Advocacy
Self advocacy is important for fostering personal growth amongst individuals—especially for those with disabilities. Voicing your needs, expressing your thoughts, and standing up for yourself are some key aspects of self advocacy. When we are able to effectively communicate our wants, needs, and feelings, we’re able to help ourselves grow; emotionally, mentally, and physically.
What is Self-Advocacy?
Self-advocacy can look different for each individual. However, the overall goal of self-advocacy is to effectively represent yourself and communicate who you are to others. Advocating for yourself focuses on expressing your thoughts, feelings, and emotions while speaking up for yourself. Some essential parts of self advocacy are:
- Communication
- Confidence
- Self-awareness
- Understanding
Learning and practicing confident communication allows you to adequately advocate for yourself. This can be prominent when meeting new people, interacting in a public environment, being in a social setting, and even in your everyday communication at home, work, or school. Self-advocacy can even be as simple as placing your order in a restaurant, asking a question at the doctor’s office, or any other communication initiatives.
Why is it Important?
Self advocacy will give you the confidence, empowerment, and determination you need to grow as an individual. Each time you use those essential self-advocacy skills, you learn and grow for future situations, while also discovering more about yourself. Examples of self advocacy may be:
- Voicing your needs or accommodations
- Introducing yourself to new people
- Understanding your rights
- Expressing your feelings and emotions
- Knowing when to ask for help
- Communicating in social situations
Practicing self-advocacy will not only make you feel more confident, but can also help you feel more safe and secure in day-to-day interactions. In many situations, a heightened sense of control can reduce anxiety or frustration. Above all else, self advocacy is important because everyone—including individuals with disabiltiies—deserves to feel empowered to have control, dignity, and self-respect.
Supporting Self-Advocacy with Covey
Covey is a non-profit organization that strives to foster opportunities for growth for individuals with disabilities. We’re proud to offer programs that help individuals gain the skills and confidence necessary for self advocacy. Our Covey Horizons program and Let’s Talk About It initiative are great ways for individuals to learn the importance of self-advocacy and ways to practice it.
Learn more about Covey and our commitment to caring here.