What is self-advocacy?
Self-advocacy means speaking up and speaking out for your rights. Many people with developmental disabilities who are speaking up for their rights call themselves “self- advocates”.

The Self- Advocacy Movement involves people from all over the world who are leaders on important issues that affect people with disabilities. Self-advocacy is a movement that says that people with disabilities have the right to control their own life and make their own decisions. Families, friends and advisors also have a role in supporting self- advocacy.

The Self-Advocacy Movement has made many important changes in society. We no longer us the words “‘mentally retarded” to describe people with developmental disabilities. Many people with disabilities no longer live in institutions. Many are active in their communities among family, friends and neighbours. Self-advocacy is changing the world, one community at a time.

Many self-advocates in Ontario have organized themselves into self-advocacy groups.

Self-advocacy groups can:
• Bring people together to share ideas and support
• Organize training for their members, or speak to other groups about self-advocacy
• Be a powerful voice to government and Community Living associations about the changes they want to make in their communities
• Be a way for people to have fun and make friends

Community Living Dryden-Sioux Lookout would like to assist those we support to from a self-advocacy group. If you are a self-advocate and are interested please contact Kendall Miller, Manager of Quality Assurance.