What is Self Advocacy? - how it could be of benefit and help you

Have you been labelled with a learning disability?

Self Advocacy could be for you.

Do you want to make your own choices and decisions in life?

Self Advocacy could be for you.

Do you want to know more about your rights?

Self Advocacy could be for you.

Do you believe everyone should have the same chances in life?

Self Advocacy could be for you.

Do you want to be part of a group of people labelled with having a learning disability that makes changes in their lives?

Self Advocacy could be for you.

Some of the things Self Advocacy Groups talk about

Things they feel angry about:

Bullying
Bad staff
Day services and other services
Not having control over own money
Not being independent
Being labelled
Oppressions

Ways of making things better:

Working together and team work
Our rights
Tackling oppression
Making choices
Speaking up for yourself
Being responsible for yourself

Some action Self Advocacy groups take

Organising meetings with big bosses of services
Research and questionnaires
Training
Writing letters
Going to big meetings and conferences

 

If you want the power to change your life, you could join a Self Advocacy Group.

To find out more, tel: (0191) 478 6472.

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The History of Self Advocacy

The first self Advocacy groups for people labelled with having a learning disability were set up in Sweden over 40 years ago.

A conference in Canada 10 years later came up with the name “People First”.

Self Advocacy groups say we are people first – disability comes later.

People First Organised other conferences which people from the UK went to.

There are now Self Advocacy groups all over the UK including groups in Gateshead, South Tyneside, Newcastle, North Tyneside and Sunderland.

Why is Self Advocacy different to what you may have done before?

It is not a social or leisure group, you will not go on trips to the pictures.

You will make friends and have fun working together.

It is not an educational group, you will not be taught to read.

You will feel more confident about speaking out.

Workers will not tell you what to do – the group decide.

Workers will find out information the group needs. They will support you to do things such as taking action and making complaints.

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