Empowering Voices: Importance of Self-Advocacy for People with Disabilities

I consider myself a strong advocate. I take an active role in advocating for kids with disabilities and don’t shy away from asking tough questions.

I’ve taken my advocacy skills for granted until the day I had to stand up for my brother. It realized that what comes naturally to me is a challenge for him. Being raised in the 80s and 90s, he was never encouraged to ask questions, give his opinion or speak up for himself.

Sadly, this is the case for many people with disabilities. While there are now self-advocacy groups and conferences, not everyone feels empowered to use their voice.

Yet self-advocacy skills are key to increasing independence, improving quality of life and creating a truly inclusive world.

While change takes time, it starts with understanding the vital role self-advocacy plays for people with disabilities.

Finding your voice

For years, my brother had all his decisions made for him - what he ate, the clothes he wore, the activities he attended - all decided by others. When he moved to supported independent living, this slowly began to change.

With a transition to person-directed supports (designed around his interests and wishes), staff began the journey of helping him find his voice.

Initially, he said what he thought staff wanted to hear. However, with positive reinforcement, he’s slowly gaining the confidence to express his true opinions.

Reducing anxiety

Just like learning any new skill, developing self-advocacy can heighten anxiety. Through practice, connecting with others and encouragement, knowing your voice matters and is heard can reduce anxiety.

After all, we all want to be heard.  

Too often the emotional toll of living with a disability is overlooked. As a mom and advocate, I see the pressure of society wanting neurodivergent individuals to focus their energy on learning neurotypical skills instead of embracing their unique perspective and gifts.  

When we recognize there’s more than one way of viewing and interacting in our world, it can reduce anxiety for everyone.

Fostering independence

Self-advocacy is a catalyst for independence. Gaining the skills and confidence to share your voice is key to individuals making informed decisions about their lives.

This can be as simple as stating what activities they want to participate in. There’s a difference between attending a bowling league because that’s what happens on Sunday nights and joining because you love to bowl and hang out with others.

From there, the increased confidence can help ensure your voice is heard in other areas such as healthcare. This is an area that can be particularly stressful but where self-advocacy is critical for mental and physical health.

My brother is slowly gaining the confidence to advocate in his personal realm. He’ll tell you what foods he likes and doesn’t like (no onions please). But has a harder time speaking up in medical appointments.

Encouraging his advocacy requires empathy, patience and positive reinforcement from everyone around him. This is essential to helping him hone this important life skill.

Self-advocacy helps foster a sense of autonomy and control that has been compromised for many individuals with disabilities.

Creating inclusivity

I’ve written before how people with disabilities are often excluded from the diversity conversation. While many organizations are slowly creating diversity, equity and inclusion positions, the focus is often on race, gender, sexual orientation, culture and ages.

What’s missing from this conversation is people with disabilities. Especially hidden disabilities.  

By encouraging and developing self-advocacy skills for people with disabilities, my hope is their voices will be heard and included in this conversation. We need to hear their stories, their challenges, perspectives and aspirations.

As a mom and sister of individuals with disabilities, I want a more inclusive world where people with disabilities are valued members. And as an ally, I want my child and brother’s voices to not only be heard but part of creating change.

I encourage you as an ally or person with disabilities, to think of how you can help foster self-advocacy skills in yourself and others. For me, I’m encouraging my brother to not only remind us of his dislike of onions but also feel comfortable to speak up about his concerns, interests and aspirations.

In a world that’s constantly evolving, self-advocacy is a powerful tool for people with disabilities to shape their destinies and contribute to societal change. By fostering independence, challenging stereotypes and advocating to have their voice heard, we can move towards true inclusivity.

The journey of self-advocacy isn’t just about overcoming barriers, but transforming them into stepping stones towards a more inclusive and equitable world.