Encourage Student Self-advocacy
Overview
Self-advocacy is the ability of an individual to understand and effectively express and assert their own rights, needs, desires, and interests. Self-advocacy is a fundamental skill that not only empowers one to navigate the world, but also facilitates Civic Mindedness, ensuring individual needs are heard and considered within the larger community. Actively and authentically encouraging all students to seek support, ask questions, and advocate for what they believe in creates a safe space for risk-taking and skill development and supports a Sense of Belonging. Fostering an environment for self-advocacy helps students to develop autonomy for their own learning needs and fosters Identity development and self-determination, which is especially important for students with disabilities who, as a result of societal stigmas and barriers to access and inclusion, are often given fewer opportunities to exercise self-determination. Knowing one's self, needs, and resources is foundational to meaningful and effective self-advocacy. Therefore, it is important to embed exploration of intersecting social identities such as gender identity, race, Socioeconomic Status, disability status, Primary Language, and culture when teaching self-advocacy skills. Providing an inclusive learning environment that incorporates culturally and linguistically sustaining practices acknowledges, honors, and validates students' identities fostering their ability to recognize and articulate their own needs effectively.
Example: Use This Strategy in the Classroom
Listen and watch teachers and students discuss the importance of explicit instruction and practice with self-advocacy to empower students.
Design It into Your Product
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
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