Advocacy

Self-Advocacy

What is self-sdvocacy?
Self-Advocacy is about speaking up for yourself.

What are some examples of self-advocacy?

• Knowing your rights
• Speaking up when your rights are violated
• Communicating with others about your needs, likes dislikes and dreams
• Learinging about what is available to you in your community
• Standing up for others when you stand up for yourself because others may be going through what you are going through
• Going to a march or rally to change laws or funding

So how can I be a self-advocate? By advocating in...

• our personal lives
• Speaking up when your rights are violated
• our communities
• our local and state governments
• our federal government

How can I get started?
Come to People First!People First of Northern Virginia is a local self-advocacy organization for adults with developmenal disabilities. Their mission is to support people with disabilities as they speak up for themselves about their rights and their participation in the community. They believe that people with disabilities are People, first, whocan have friends, work at jobs, join clubs, vote and live in homes just like all members of the community.

Upcoming People First events...
People First General Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of every month from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Columbia Baptist Church which is located at 103 W. Columbia Street, Falls Church, VA 22046 (Get Directions). Questions about People First? Contact Jill Egle at jegle@thearcofnova.org or at 703-532-3214 ext. 101

Other Resources
Kids as self-advocates (KASA)

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