A page by Self-Advocates for Self-Advocates
But others are welcome too!
Join Kya on a walk-through video of the self-advocates’ webpage.

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The importance of language. Use words to build people up instead of tearing them down.
How do you feel about the words and language that are used by people to describe you? Do they promote inclusion or exclusion?
Listen to a 5 minute video from Self-Advocates at Bethesda describing why words matter and tips on which words to avoid.
Click on Words Matter Video A group of Self Advocates from organizations in BC worked together to decide what words they like…and what they don’t like…and what is ok and acceptable. And the reasons WHY… They wrote a report called Thinking About Language. Click here to read how the Self-Advocates Leadership Network thinks language needs to change.
Having positive control of your life requires language that empowers people. Being recognized and valued begins with mutual respect and how we are introduced, how others refer to us.”
Michael Smull in Thinking About Language – Self Advocates Leadership Network

Bethesda believes Self-Advocacy is important so that you have the knowledge to live a life of full citizenship and succeed in life.
Full citizenship means
BEING RESPECTED. Being able to hold your head high and be respected by those around you.
BEING EQUAL. We all have the same worth of dignity, the same rights and responsibilities.
BEING DIFFERENT. We are not identical. We have many different gifts which we bring together to build a better world.







