Self-AdvocacySelf-AdvocacyTaking an active role in all Taking an active role in all

areas of your lifeareas of your life

Presented by: Presented by: Angela ObregonAngela ObregonYami BosqueYami BosqueLisa DavisLisa Davis

Adapted from Horizon Academy Powerpoint

What is self-advocacy? What is self-advocacy?

Individuals making informed decisions and taking responsibility for those decisions.

Ability to communicate and negotiate one’s own interests, desires, needs and rights.

Developing self-knowledge and utilizing self-determination.

Why is it importantWhy is it important??

Helps learners succeed with other adults and peers in multiple environments.

Motivates through involvement in key decisions, goal setting and the planning process.

Encourages learners in taking an active role in their own life.

Provides framework for learners to increase self-awareness.

Why is it important ?Why is it important ?

Communication

One-on-one One-on-one conversationconversation

Small groupsSmall groups PresentingPresenting NegotiateNegotiate CompromiseCompromise ListeningListening

Why is it important?Why is it important?

Promotes independencePromotes independence Independence from parents, family, friendsIndependence from parents, family, friends Resist peer pressureResist peer pressure Recognize strengths and limitsRecognize strengths and limits Discourages learned helplessnessDiscourages learned helplessness

Builds self-confidenceBuilds self-confidence Positive risk-takingPositive risk-taking Initiate development of potentialInitiate development of potential

Why is it important?Why is it important?

Familiarize oneself with rights:Familiarize oneself with rights: PersonalPersonal Legal Legal ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Who can use it?Who can use it?

Any individual wanting to take an active Any individual wanting to take an active role in his/her liferole in his/her life

Individuals with disabilitiesIndividuals with disabilities Education programs, meetings, decisionsEducation programs, meetings, decisions At jobsAt jobs With friends and familyWith friends and family

Teachers/School StaffTeachers/School Staff Model for studentsModel for students

How to use it: LearnersHow to use it: Learners

Self-awareness (ongoing) Self-awareness (ongoing) Belief in connection between actions & Belief in connection between actions &

outcomesoutcomes Participate actively Participate actively Personal InventoriesPersonal Inventories Career Portfolio (education, disabilities, rights, Career Portfolio (education, disabilities, rights,

transition)transition) Communication and assertivenessCommunication and assertiveness Self acceptance & Educate othersSelf acceptance & Educate others

How to use it:How to use it:LearnersLearners

3 parts to becoming a self-advocate:3 parts to becoming a self-advocate: Knowing yourself (disabilities, strengths, Knowing yourself (disabilities, strengths,

areas to improve)areas to improve) Knowing your needs (interventions, Knowing your needs (interventions,

accommodations, modifications)accommodations, modifications) Knowing how to get what you need Knowing how to get what you need

(communication, assertiveness, support (communication, assertiveness, support systems)systems)

How to use it:How to use it:TeachersTeachers

Discuss w/ learners importance of goal settingDiscuss w/ learners importance of goal setting Educate/model using emotions effectivelyEducate/model using emotions effectively Role playRole play Reward for using self advocacy appropriatelyReward for using self advocacy appropriately Giving learners responsibility of managing daily Giving learners responsibility of managing daily

scheduleschedule

How to use it:How to use it:TeachersTeachers

Help learners prioritize / organizeHelp learners prioritize / organize Teach problem solving skillsTeach problem solving skills Prepare learner for Individualized Plan Prepare learner for Individualized Plan

ConferencesConferences Provide feedback to facilitate learners’ self Provide feedback to facilitate learners’ self

awarenessawareness Allow learners to learn from their own Allow learners to learn from their own

successes, mistakes and new experiencessuccesses, mistakes and new experiences

Self-Self-determination:determination:

““The ability to identify and achieve goals based on knowing and valuing oneself.”

“Awareness of one’s own individuality, understanding of strengths and areas to improve, and discussing/receiving feedback from others who know you.”

Self-awarenessSelf-awareness:

Direction

Insight

Creating your networkCreating your network

Networking is…Networking is…

(a) thinking of all the people you know (a) thinking of all the people you know (b) thinking of ways they can assist you (b) thinking of ways they can assist you

and you can assist them in finding and you can assist them in finding information information

(c) sharing ideas about other people that (c) sharing ideas about other people that may have information you want or need. may have information you want or need.

ActivityActivity

Create a network chart where learners would Create a network chart where learners would include:include:

FamilyFamily FriendsFriends Co-workersCo-workers EmployersEmployers Support coordinatorsSupport coordinators Social WorkersSocial Workers Therapists/Medical professionalsTherapists/Medical professionals

Name:

Making Connections

Me

Making ConnectionsMaking Connections

You make You make connectionsconnections!!!!

Use tools to help you make your network Use tools to help you make your network bigger and find more opportunities for bigger and find more opportunities for yourself. Those tools, or connections, yourself. Those tools, or connections, might include computers, the Internet, might include computers, the Internet,

e-mail, letters, phone calls, newspapers, e-mail, letters, phone calls, newspapers, assistive technology, or any other tool you assistive technology, or any other tool you choose to use. choose to use.

ActivitiesActivitiesTeach how to:Teach how to: Create an email account and access emailCreate an email account and access email Read and browse the newspaperRead and browse the newspaper Use the computerUse the computer Answer and make phone callsAnswer and make phone calls Write notes and lettersWrite notes and letters Hold a conversationHold a conversation Express needs and wantsExpress needs and wants

Choosing Choosing Postsecondary Postsecondary

EducationEducation

Postsecondary Education Postsecondary Education

Adult education classesAdult education classes ContinuumContinuum EducationEducation courses courses Supported EmploymentSupported Employment Learn a new hobbyLearn a new hobby Learn a new skillLearn a new skill Give back to the communityGive back to the community

(volunteer work)(volunteer work)

ActivitiesActivities

Community collegesCommunity colleges Community schoolsCommunity schools Non-profit organizations Non-profit organizations Public LibraryPublic Library Parks and Recreations (By respective Parks and Recreations (By respective

cities)cities) Private organizationsPrivate organizations Employment sitesEmployment sites

Building RelationshipsBuilding Relationships

Building RelationshipsBuilding Relationships

Having relationships with other people is Having relationships with other people is one of the most enjoyable parts of life. one of the most enjoyable parts of life. Finding good relationships is a difficult Finding good relationships is a difficult process. It means opening yourself up and process. It means opening yourself up and letting others see you. It means letting others see you. It means

Teaching LearnersTeaching Learners to Build Relationships to Build Relationships

We talk and connect with many individuals We talk and connect with many individuals dailydaily

-- Think how we communicateThink how we communicate

-- Our words and our actions communicate Our words and our actions communicate

-- Our words and actions help us Our words and actions help us communicate communicate

-- Communication method depends on the Communication method depends on the relationship with the individualrelationship with the individual

Layers of RelationshipsLayers of Relationships

Family Family FriendsFriends WorkWork BusinessBusiness RomanticRomantic

Relationships / modes and methods are Relationships / modes and methods are different among these relationshipsdifferent among these relationships

Key PointsKey Points

LanguageLanguage Personal SpacePersonal Space GreetingsGreetings Knowing when to use certain kinds of Knowing when to use certain kinds of

language is very important.language is very important. Think about the people who are around Think about the people who are around

you and the type of language you would you and the type of language you would useuse

What do Adults with What do Adults with disabilities do in their disabilities do in their

spare time?spare time?

Ask your learnersAsk your learners

Do you ever get tired of just sitting and Do you ever get tired of just sitting and watching TV? watching TV?

Would you like to try some new activities? Would you like to try some new activities?

Finding New Hobbies / Finding New Hobbies / InterestsInterests

Hobbies InventoriesHobbies Inventories Interest InventoriesInterest Inventories Community Exploration Community Exploration

Finding Places to Learn Finding Places to Learn ActivitiesActivities

Ask network of family/friends if they participate in Ask network of family/friends if they participate in activity activity

Look in the newspaper inquire at Library or Look in the newspaper inquire at Library or Parks to see if organizations clubs offer classes Parks to see if organizations clubs offer classes

Ask people who work in a store that sells Ask people who work in a store that sells materials or equipment for the activity materials or equipment for the activity

Read about the activity in books from the library Read about the activity in books from the library or bookstore or bookstore

Read about the activity on the Internet Read about the activity on the Internet Try the activity and see how you do Try the activity and see how you do

Promoting Promoting Daily Living SkillsDaily Living Skills

The sharing of household chores The sharing of household chores can lead to greater independencecan lead to greater independence Age no longer a barrier - mature adults with Age no longer a barrier - mature adults with

appropriate supports, can make significant appropriate supports, can make significant steps to independencesteps to independence

This reduces burden on parentsThis reduces burden on parents Important to promote the practicing and the Important to promote the practicing and the

developing of daily living skills, even when developing of daily living skills, even when tasks take longer and require a certain tasks take longer and require a certain amount of effort.amount of effort.

Factors to Consider whenFactors to Consider whenTeaching Daily Living SkillsTeaching Daily Living Skills

Extra support needed to carry out everyday Extra support needed to carry out everyday activities. activities.

Set realistic expectations and consider what kind Set realistic expectations and consider what kind of support is most likely to help develop theirof support is most likely to help develop their

independence.independence. Adults with intellectual disabilities require moreAdults with intellectual disabilities require more

step-by-step methods to help them learn tasks.step-by-step methods to help them learn tasks.

Activity Activity

Create a task analysis on how you would Create a task analysis on how you would teach an adult with intellectual disabilities teach an adult with intellectual disabilities how to iron a shirthow to iron a shirt

Independent Daily Activities Independent Daily Activities

HouseHouse Operating the washing Operating the washing

machine / dish washer machine / dish washer Folding clothesFolding clothes Ironing clothesIroning clothes Sweeping, moping and/or Sweeping, moping and/or

vacuumingvacuuming Preparing meals / wash Preparing meals / wash

the dishesthe dishes Washing the carWashing the car Mowing the lawnMowing the lawn

CommunityCommunity Utilizing STS services Utilizing STS services Utilizing public Utilizing public

transportation transportation Using an Automatic Teller Using an Automatic Teller

MachineMachine Paying a billPaying a bill Meeting friends for lunchMeeting friends for lunch ShoppingShopping

RemindersReminders

Learning styles are different Learning styles are different Tailor teaching to needs of adult learnersTailor teaching to needs of adult learners

Use different methods to teach taskUse different methods to teach task Incorporate hands on activities as much as Incorporate hands on activities as much as

possible possible Include DVDs and other forms of technology Include DVDs and other forms of technology Have a photo sequence of the task with the Have a photo sequence of the task with the

steps written as a story or prompt.steps written as a story or prompt.

Best PracticesBest Practices

Schedules:Schedules: Schedules are designed to bring routine andSchedules are designed to bring routine and

predictability to a person’s daypredictability to a person’s day A written schedule helps the learner understand and A written schedule helps the learner understand and

remember planned activitiesremember planned activities- Using pictures of activities in the order in which they Using pictures of activities in the order in which they

occur during the day is a great way to promote occur during the day is a great way to promote independence and help the person learn routinesindependence and help the person learn routines

Regular practice is important to learn andRegular practice is important to learn and

maintain skillsmaintain skills

Living Arrangement & Living Arrangement & TransportationTransportation

Living ArrangementsLiving Arrangements

-- Discuss living Discuss living arrangements / arrangements / optionsoptions

-- Compare living Compare living arrangements now arrangements now versus in the future versus in the future

TransportationTransportation

- - Discuss and explore Discuss and explore transportation optionstransportation options

-- Special Special Transportation Transportation Services (STS)Services (STS)

-- Golden PassportGolden Passport

-- Public TransportationPublic Transportation

Managing FinancesManaging FinancesManaging Medical NeedsManaging Medical Needs

Giving To Your Giving To Your CommunityCommunity

Managing Your ExpensesManaging Your Expenses

In order for adults with disabilities to manage their In order for adults with disabilities to manage their money in a smart way, they need to follow some simple money in a smart way, they need to follow some simple steps. Keeping a steps. Keeping a budget budget really helps them manage really helps them manage money. Have each adult do a budget for each section.money. Have each adult do a budget for each section.

Your IncomeYour Income Your ExpensesYour Expenses Your MoneyYour Money Please see sample worksheets at Please see sample worksheets at

www.fldoe.org/ese/daretodream.adults

Your Income WorksheetYour Income Worksheet

Pay from JobPay from Job $$

Supplemental Security Supplemental Security IncomeIncome

$$

Food StampsFood Stamps $$

Financial Support from Financial Support from familyfamily

$$

Financial Support from Financial Support from other agencyother agency

$$

Other IncomeOther Income $$

Total: Total: $$

Your Expenses WorksheetYour Expenses Worksheet

House rentHouse rent $$

FoodFood $$

ElectricElectric $$

TelephoneTelephone $$

Gas / CarGas / Car $$

TV CableTV Cable $$

Medical Expenses Medical Expenses $$

ClothingClothing $$

Fun / Activities / ClubsFun / Activities / Clubs $$

Total: Total: $$

Your Money WorksheetYour Money Worksheet

Your IncomeYour Income $$

Your Expenses (subtract this Your Expenses (subtract this number from the top)number from the top)

$$

Money leftMoney left $$

Managing Medical Managing Medical NeedsNeeds

It is important that adults with disabilities It is important that adults with disabilities have a Medical Contact List. have a Medical Contact List.

The list needs to consist of: names, The list needs to consist of: names, addresses and phone numbers of their addresses and phone numbers of their doctors and other medical professionals.doctors and other medical professionals.

It is also important that they know what It is also important that they know what health insurance they have (Medicaid, health insurance they have (Medicaid, Medicare, Private Insurance).Medicare, Private Insurance).

Medical Contact ListMedical Contact ListPrimary Care Doctor / Family DoctorPrimary Care Doctor / Family Doctor

Name:Name:

Address:Address:

Phone Number:Phone Number:

Notes to Remember:Notes to Remember:

Specialized Doctor:Specialized Doctor:

Name:Name:

Address:Address:

Phone Number:Phone Number:

Notes to Remember:Notes to Remember:

Continue Managing Medical Continue Managing Medical NeedsNeeds

Managing Medicines is also an important Managing Medicines is also an important part of Managing Medical Needs.part of Managing Medical Needs.

It is important that the adults with It is important that the adults with disabilities have the following information disabilities have the following information about their medicines.about their medicines.

what they takewhat they take how often they take ithow often they take it any allergiesany allergies where they can refill their medicationwhere they can refill their medication

Medication Log WorksheetMedication Log Worksheet

Name of MedicineName of Medicine When I take this When I take this medicationmedication

Information I need to Information I need to know about this know about this medicationmedication

Giving to Your CommunityGiving to Your Community It is important that adults with disabilities It is important that adults with disabilities

are able to identify their skills, talents and are able to identify their skills, talents and qualities that they can share with the qualities that they can share with the community.community.

For example:For example: CookCook Play sportsPlay sports Good listenerGood listener

Community InvolvementCommunity Involvement

Skills I have:Skills I have: Places to share them in my Places to share them in my community:community:

Talents I have:Talents I have: Places to share them in my Places to share them in my community:community:

Qualities I have:Qualities I have: Places to share them in my Places to share them in my community:community:

Community InvolvementCommunity Involvement

By identifying skills, talents and qualities, By identifying skills, talents and qualities, adults with disabilities could have a range adults with disabilities could have a range of places where they can volunteer.of places where they can volunteer.

For example:For example: Nursing HomesNursing Homes Special OlympicsSpecial Olympics Phone HotlinePhone Hotline Animal SheltersAnimal Shelters

Celebrate!Celebrate!

Let’s look to the future.Let’s look to the future. Adults with disabilities have goals that will Adults with disabilities have goals that will

take time to accomplish.take time to accomplish. That’s OK.That’s OK. Worthwhile activities take time and effort.Worthwhile activities take time and effort. Keep going, they are worth it!Keep going, they are worth it!