For people with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) it is especially important that we get to speak for ourselves.
Many people with IDD experience others speaking for them and telling them what they want and need. They have not had the experience of speaking for themselves, or have tried and not been listened to.
It’s important to be included in decisions about our lives, and at places where policies and other decisions that affect our lives are being made.
Self-advocacy groups are where people with IDD get to speak openly and freely about their issues and concerns.
It is a place to learn, grow, and become better able to speak up for yourself.
Some people already speak up for themselves, and can learn to become better at it. We can always become better at it, and can always use encouragement to do it. There are times when you need to be built up to face a tough situation.
Other people never speak for themselves. They are scared or never had the opportunity. The group is a place to maybe do that for the first time ever. It should be a safe place where they do not get in trouble for what they say, and where they get to grow at their own pace.
Self-advocacy groups are for people who verbally speak and for those who do not- who communicate in other ways.
Sometimes the people who benefit the most from self-advocacy are people who may be acting out. They are angry or frustrated and self-advocacy groups can help them learn a better way to act on the things that make them angry, in a more productive way.
Young people can also learn to speak up in their life. In their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings at school. They can make choices- big or small- or be asked their opinions.
Other people can advocate for you and that is good. You can have allies advocate for you, but the biggest person who should be speaking up for you is yourself!