Discussed in terms of instrumental and expressive functions are citizen advocacy programs for mentally or physically handicapped children and adults. Instrumental functions are defined as meeting the practical needs of everyday life while expressive functions are said to involve an exchange of affection which meets emotional needs. Major types of prevailing protective services (guardianship, adoptive parenthood, conservatorship, and trusts) are described and critiqued for impersonality of service, conflicts of interest, and impracticality. Citizen advocacy is defined as the provision of aid in the meeting of instrumental and expressive needs of a handicapped individual by a competent citizen volunteer. Advocacy functions required by handicapped children and adults are compared. Variations of advocacy such as group advocacy, generic advocacy, and crisis advocacy are proposed. A citizen advocacy office at community and state levels is suggested to implement the advocacy concept. Desirable advocate characteristics are said to include the potential for a sustained relationship with the protege and competence in the specific advocacy task. Examples of major advantages of the advocacy schema are a decreased need for professional services and less institutionalization. Current trends emphasizing consumer services, citizen volunteerism, and public disillusion with science and technology are said to make this a propitious time for advocacy programs. Noted are existing programs in Nebraska and Washington. (DB)