Chapter 6:

Becoming Part of a Self-Advocacy Group

What is a vision? A picture that shows what the group is,

where the group or a person wants to go. It is the “Big Picture”

Visions create sparks to EXCITE to people to move FORWARD:

Personal Vision: Imagine that you can achieve the things you want in life.

What would that look like to you?

What words would you use? Or pictures?

Why do you want to do these things?

With a partner, describe your personal VISION.

What kind of person do you want to be? Describe the qualities you will have as this person.

What things would you like to own?

What things would you like to learn or do?

What would you like your community to look like?

What would be your ideal living situation?

It makes you feel good. It makes you feel good.

It gives you a clearer It gives you a clearer picture of where you picture of where you

would like to go.would like to go.

We have looked at your personal vision, now let’s take it a step further…

When we are a part of a group, we bring our vision to it. It is apart of the greater whole called a shared vision.

A group is like a wheel. All the members are spokes. When we put all the spokes together, we get

a functioning wheel.

We can then move forward toward a common goal.

In order to achieve goals you must decide as a group what is most important.

Leaders are responsible for listening to all members and putting the SHARED VISION first .

Become more involved in your local self-advocacy groups such as People First.

Be a good role model in your community. There is power in numbers! Speak up!