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
Watch how these students become self-advocates for their learning as they share their strengths and challenges. By having a voice in their learning, these students develop greater awareness of what works best for them and how to advocate for the support they need.
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
More Teacher Modeling & Support Strategies
Providing instructional steps clearly and concisely can help learners understand classroom expectations and complete tasks efficiently.
Discussing emotions with children consists of supporting their ability to identify, label, and manage their feelings.
Providing students a voice in their learning is critical for making learning meaningful.
