The New Brunswick Coalition of Persons with Disabilities is a collective voice advocating for all New Brunswickers with all disabilities, on the principle of Nothing about us without us. This principle is the rally cry for the global disability community.
But advocating for yourself is important, too. Because self-advocacy is about dignity and autonomy.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is the global, over-arching international human rights treaty that defines the rights of the disability community — the world’s largest minority group.
Under Article 12 — Equal Recognition Before the Law — of the UNCRPD:
On a societal level, a lot of progress on disability inclusion has been made since the modern disability rights movement started over five decades ago.
It’s taken a lot of advocacy for that progress to be made. Including self-advocacy. It played a major role in the development of legislation, to make sure disability rights are protected.
And then there’s the principle, Nothing about us with out us. That came out of self-advocacy in part, too.
And disability organizations and self-advocates were consulted extensively in the development of the UNCRPD.
That’s the broader importance of disability self-advocacy.
But what about the “you” of self-advocacy?
You’re the one with lived experience with disability. That means you’re the best person to communicate your needs, preferences and rights. When it comes to your health care. Or how you interact with a Customer Service help desk. Or how you access government services. Or whether you prefer person-first or identity-first language of disability. Or what you need to succeed in employment, or high-school or post-secondary education. Or what you need to navigate daily life.
By self-advocating you’re doing all these important things:
Done on behalf of you — or the entire disability community — by family members, organizations, professionals
You speak up for yourself about your needs, wants and rights. You’re the one with lived experience.
Drives systemic and broader social change
You focus on what you need
Done by advocacy groups such as the NBCPD
You build your knowledge and act to ensure your needs are met equitably
Helps people who may not be able to advocate for themselves
You take charge and follow the principle of “nothing about us without us” to make sure you have what you need to achieve your goals
Understand your strengths, challenges, needs, preferences and rights. This includes recognizing what:
This will help you advocate effectively for what works best for you.
Identify your specific goals and the outcomes you want. Whether that’s:
You need to do this so you can clearly communicate your needs to others.
Knowledge is self-advocacy power. Do some research about laws, policies and resources available and applicable. Know and understand what you’re entitled to, and what options and/or alternatives are available to you in your specific situation.
Express your needs, concerns and requests clearly, assertively and directly. This might mean speaking up in meetings, writing formal requests or having difficult conversations. But remember, be respectful.
Stay engaged with the process. Keep records of actions and conversations. Follow up on commitments you’ve made, and that others have made. Don’t give up if you face some initial obstacles or setbacks. Self-advocacy is a journey.
You need resources to help you work through each of these steps and self-advocate effectively.
March of Dimes Canada has a comprehensive Self-Advocacy Toolkit.
It’s designed to guide people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers through the self-advocacy journey. The kit has definitions, terminology, guidance, and practice and planning worksheets.
We’re working on two great “7 Tips” tipsheets:
