Advocacy Tips
- Self-Advocacy DOES NOT mean you have to do it alone! Everyone needs supports to be successful
- Before advocating for an issue, do some research. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to successfully advocate.
- Create a plan of action
- Who needs to be contacted?
- How will you contact them?
- Has anyone else experienced a similar issue?
- Who else might be able to support you or the issue?
- Does any legislation, regulations or policies exist that support your position?
- When does this need to be done by?
- How long will you wait before doing a follow-up?
- When advocating for an issue, get as much information as possible in writing, this helps create a paper trail, and provides hard copies to refer back to if necessary
- Save copies of any letters or emails that you send
- Be aware that any information you send via email can easily, and sometimes accidentally, be forwarded on to other people
- When possible, peer with people who have experienced similar issues. What barriers did they experience? What resources were useful? How were they able to resolve the issue?