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What is Advocacy?

To advocate is to stand-up for yourself,
a family member, a friend, or maybe someone
you haven’t even met.

Why Advocate for Someone or Something?

you have a certain set of values or
believe strongly in a particular cause.
The goal of advocacy is to bring change to society
often in the form of social justice.

An ADVOCATE is

someone who speaks up for the rights of someone else

A SELF-ADVOCATE is...

someone who stands up and speaks up on behalf of their
own civil rights and social justice.

What Do We Do As

SELF-ADVOCATES?

We learn together how to speak up for ourselves,
each other and those of us who cannot speak up for themselves.

Here are examples of times when you should speak up...

• Know your rights
• Speak up when your rights are violated
• Communicate with others about your needs, likes, dislikes and your dreams
• Learn what is available to you in your community
• Stand up for others when you stand up for yourself
• Others may be going through the same thing
• Go to a march or rally and be heard! This helps to change laws or provide funding!

By standing up when

your rights have been violated and
you have not been treated fairly or like other people are treated

Where do I speak up?

• in your community
• in your local and state government meetings
• by meeting with members of our federal government

How can I get started?

Join us at People First! People First of Northern Virginia is a local self-advocacy organization for adults with developmenal disabilities. Together we learn about our rights and how to speak up. We practice! Their mission is to support people with disabilities as they speak up for themselves about their rights and their participation in the community.

BECAUSE.... Like you, they believe that people with disabilities are ...

People, firstwho can have friends, work at jobs, join clubs, vote and live in homes just like every other member of their community.