Self-advocacy

Self-advocacy refers to the civil rights movement for people with developmental disabilities, also called cognitive or intellectual disabilities, and other disabilities. It is also an important term in the disability rights movement, referring to people with disabilities taking control of their own lives, including being in charge of their own care in the health care system. The self-advocacy movement is (when led by self-advocates) about people with disabilities speaking up for themselves.

History

The self-advocacy movement came about in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was part of the larger civil rights movement that was happening in the United States at that time. People with disabilities were fighting for their rights to be in the community, not locked away in institutions. They were also fighting for the right to make decisions about their own lives.

Principles

The principles of self-advocacy have led to a number of changes in the way that services for people with disabilities are provided. These changes include the development of person-centered planning and the inclusion of people with disabilities in decision-making roles in organizations that provide services to people with disabilities.

See also

• Disability rights movement
• Person-centered planning
• Civil rights movement

References

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