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Self Advocacy In Groups

Logo for SelfAdvocateNet featuring a drawing of the Earth surrounded by people holding hands. Text reads, SelfAdvocateNet and Our Voice, Our Strength in bold letters. 

This is the Resource Page for the Self Advocacy Groups that want start a group in a local community .

It talks about how to get people together and what a self advocacy group can do.

It is important to learn self-advocacy skills because it helps you decide what you want and what is possible for you to expect.

When you have good self-advocacy skills you can have more control and make the life decisions that are best for you.

Self-advocacy helps to empower you, to speak-up for yourself and make decisions about your life

People often don’t know much about people with learning disabilities or mental health issues.

The things that people read about in the newspapers, books, TV or the Internet, are often negative, unhelpful or simply untrue.

In the past people with disabilities have often been shut away so people have not met us and got to know us, what we are like or what we think.

Self-advocates are people like you who want to stand up and speak for themselves.

Many people now with learning disabilities or mental health issues have been forming themselves into self-advocacy groups.

These are a plain language packages of information to help self advocates to start a self advocacy group in their community.

Anyone can start a group!

All you need to do is download Adobe Reader first  and get your copy.

Download the full document to start a self-advocacy group made by Gregg Schiller  here.

A black-and-white informational flyer titled Who are self-advocates and what do self-advocates do? explains self-advocacy in groups for people with learning disabilities, including meeting types, group benefits, and social support.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 1 to 29 

Cover page of a booklet titled Self Advocacy Group Start-Up Kit, distributed by the BC Self Advocacy Foundation. Logos and contact details for the British Columbia Association for Community Living are shown.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 2

A page with the heading Self advocacy, explaining its importance for people with developmental disabilities, reasons for needing self-advocacy, and a lined Notes section on the right side for writing.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 3

A page with two sections: Notes on the left with blank lines for writing, and Things To Do on the right, which asks about spreading awareness of people with disabilities and recognizing their courage.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 4

A document with two columns of text discussing reasons for self-advocacy and having or not having an advisor to vote. Topics include misconceptions about people with disabilities and the role of advisors in voting.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 5

A page from a book or brochure about finding advisors for groups. On the left, it includes questions and tips on choosing an advisor. On the right, theres a Things To Do section with questions and lined space for writing.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 6

A photo of three smiling adults, two men and one woman, seated together. The man on the left has glasses; the man and woman on the right both have Down syndrome. Blue wavy lines border the page containing text about self-advocacy.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 7

A brochure page titled Advisors Summary. It explains working with an advisor and lists traits of a good advisor. The summary emphasizes the need for self-advocacy. The page has a simple blue design with text on a white background.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 8

A document features sections titled Self Advocates and Summary. It discusses self-advocacy in groups and highlights the importance of listening. A photo shows a person speaking at a meeting. Pages are numbered 48 and 49.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 9

A page titled Things To Do with step-by-step instructions on splitting into pairs and sharing stories, encouraging active listening. It also includes a section on Self Advocacy on Your Own with advice for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 10

A text-based worksheet titled Things To Do with lines for writing responses. It discusses the importance of clear communication and listening, providing example phrases to use when clarifying understanding during conversations.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 11

A brochure page with two columns. The left column titled Listening explains how to listen effectively, including signs of listening and what to avoid. The right column, What Do We Do? discusses roles of self advocates like talking, asking questions, and learning.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 12

A two-page spread from a guide titled Some Examples of Things Self Advocates Do. The left page discusses talking and gives an example. The right page titled Summary: The Agenda describes organizing agenda items for a meeting.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 13

An open book showing two pages. The left page is titled What goes on the agenda? with bullet points about agenda planning. The right page is titled TALKING, LEADING TO ACTION with examples of group handling problems. Pages are numbered 44 and 13.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 14

A textbook page with sections titled LEARNING and The Agenda. The first part discusses self-advocacy and skill learning, while the second part explains what an agenda is and why meetings need one. A photo shows a woman writing in a notebook.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 15

A document with the heading Summary: Keeping the Group Going. It discusses reasons groups may struggle and emphasizes self-advocacy. The right side highlights the importance of social activities with examples like tea or coffee meetings and holiday events.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 16

A two-page spread features a Things To Do section with lines for notes on the left. On the right, The Group discusses group dynamics, with a black-and-white photo of a group of people outdoors. Pages are numbered 16 and 41.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 17

Two summary sections about money for self-advocates, with text on why money is needed, tips on handling it, and activities advocates do. Includes a small photo of three people together in the bottom right.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 18

A page titled Making A Group: Setting Up a Self Advocacy Group lists steps for forming a group, including meeting friends, planning, recruiting, electing a committee, advisor use, networking, and persistence.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 19

A scanned page with two Things To Do lists side by side, each with four numbered steps about managing group money and running a self-advocacy group meeting. Blue accents decorate the bottom of the pages.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 20

A discussion guide with a list of questions on the left about group dynamics and self-advocacy. The right features a section titled Things To Talk About, prompting additional topic ideas with lines for notes. Pages 20 and 37.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 21

A double-page spread from a pamphlet titled Money Matters and Recruiting Members. It discusses reasons for needing money in a group, such as materials and events. It also lists ways to recruit new members, including posters and special events.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 22

A page from a guidebook discussing group engagement methods like talking to others about the group and making posters. It includes a summary on self-advocacy, listing various skills, and emphasizes inclusiveness in advocacy.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 23

Two lists on an open notebook page. Left side titled Things To Do with tasks numbered 1 to 3 related to strengths and self-help. Right side titled Things To Talk About with space for notes on social event planning. Blue abstract design at the bottom.
A booklet page titled Holding Special Meetings and Learn New Skills features text on organizing meetings for advocacy and skills development. It includes images of diverse individuals gathering, some discussing, others watching a presentation.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 26

A guide for welcoming new members features blue headings, checklists, and advice about meetings, information sharing, and making newcomers feel comfortable. Example questions for new members are listed on the right side of the page.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 27

A guide on getting help and recruiting members for advocacy groups, detailing tasks like typing letters, organizing events, and setting up bank accounts. It includes a summary of how new group members aid in advocacy work.

Inclusion BC Self Advocacy Group Start- Up Kit 28

An infographic titled Everybody Has Skills describes the importance of self-advocacy and sharing strengths. It outlines skills like communication, decision-making, and confidence. Suggestions include sharing jobs to leverage different skills.
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