Three Helpful Tips for Effective Self-Advocacy

Cody Gotchall is an Oregon-based student working online toward a transfer degree in accounting. Aside from his academic responsibilities, Cody Gotchall enjoys volunteering in his community and serving on the Arc of Benton County board of directors as a self-advocacy representative.

Self-advocacy is the ability to express yourself and stand up for your interests. Self-advocacy skills can help you make life decisions more easily and have more control over what is best for you. Below are three useful tips for good self-advocacy.

1. Know your rights. Be aware of your lawful rights and recognize that you are entitled to equal rights according to the law. If unsure of your rights, find out about them through disability rights programs, community support groups, crisis hotlines, social networking, classes, and workshops.

2. Talk about your questions and concerns. Write down questions and concerns and discuss them by phone, in person, or in a letter with the relevant party. Speak politely while communicating your wants and listen carefully to the answers and explanations provided. If clarification is needed, ask for it.

3. Keep a written record of important information and decisions. Get information in writing by asking for it. If someone states something is a law, procedure or policy, ask for a written copy of it, or find out where it can be viewed. If you don’t agree with a particular decision, ask for the decision and the reasons behind it to be provided in a written format.