This article discusses four necessary elements of the self-advocacy movement: gaining awareness of one's social and political situation; gaining awareness of individual strengths and potential; taking action through participation in community organizations; and having advisors collaborate with people with disabilities rather than treating them as…

Norman Kunc, consultant on educational and disability issues, discusses his early segregated education and perceived devaluation due to his cerebral palsy; the intrusion of therapies into his daily schedule; and the sometimes assaultive nature of physical therapy. Kunc views his disability as a characteristic of his personal diversity and…

Discusses the use of the Internet for increased self-advocacy by persons with physical impairments. Current legislation relating to access and technology and technology's role in increasing independence are also addressed. Profiles are provided of people using the Internet for advocacy and projects encouraging adaptive technology and…

This study identifies the factors that have contributed most to supporting growth of self-advocacy among people with developmental disabilities, by examining the history of self-advocacy and reporting on interviews with six self-advocates and six advisors of the self-advocacy movement. The study concludes that the growth of self-advocacy has been…

A survey of 216 adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities who belong to self-advocacy groups found that individuals unemployed and employed in sheltered settings perceived themselves as having less control than individuals employed competitively. Results are examined in light of quality of life findings, focusing on the need to include…

This study assessed the services provided to students with disabilities in 30 postsecondary education institutions across New York State. Results indicated that while respondents urged high schools to encourage college-bound students to advocate for themselves, the most frequent types of service provided by colleges did not promote autonomy.…

This training package, including both a facilitator manual and a participant manual, presents information in four modules to teach self-advocacy skills to Guam individuals with disabilities and their families. Module 1 provides information on the definition of advocacy and self-advocacy, cultural influences that affect advocacy in Guam, and the…

Two brief papers provide reasons to support self-determination for students with disabilities, with one paper written from the perspective of educators and one written from the parents' perspective. Each paper discusses 11 benefits of self-determination, including: (1) personal control, (2) motivation, (3) prosocial behaviors, (4) self-awareness,…

This monograph describes projects of the Minnesota Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities which focus on empowerment and self-advocacy for individuals with disabilities and their family members. Individual sections address: (1) Partners in Policymaking (an intensive course to train individuals with disabilities and family…

This newsletter issue gives people with disabilities the opportunity to educate others about self-advocacy. Twelve of its 17 articles are by individuals with disabilities who are self-advocates, or by other representatives of self-advocacy organizations. It includes information on self-advocacy strategies and examples of its impact on lives.…

This paper discusses the development of self-determination skills by students with disabilities and the role of the professional in promoting these skills. It begins by providing a list of 25 elements of self-determination and then explains the importance of promoting the development of self-advocacy groups and other endeavors initiated by and for…

This article explores ways to include self-determination and self-advocacy goals and objectives in individualized education programs (IEPs). It identifies self-determination goals and offers guidelines on selection and writing of self-determination goals. Insets and tables include a review of the literature, definitions of self-determination…

This brief report applies research on self-determination to suggestions for helping students with disabilities make a successful transition from school to adult life. First, it defines the concept of self-determination and considers how self-determination is learned. It summarizes research supporting the view that self-determination in high school…

This paper discusses the development of the Basic Skills Model, a theoretical framework that has enabled North Carolina educators to propose to the Department of Public Instruction the development of a curriculum for high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. The curriculum is designed to enable students to gain the necessary skills to…

This study characterized individual advocacy performance differences of 3 individuals with developmental disabilities and 21 parents before and after participating in training programs called Partners in Policymaking. A three group taxonomy of advocate development (beginner, involved, and activist) is suggested. (DB)