How to Advocate for Yourself
Self-advocacy is when you speak up for yourself and your needs. It’s important to be able to do this so that you can get what you need and want in life.
There are many different ways to self-advocate. You can talk to people, write letters, or even make speeches. You can also join groups or organizations that support self-advocacy.
Self-advocacy is a skill that takes practice. But it’s a skill that’s worth learning. If you can learn to self-advocate, you’ll be able to have a bigger voice in your life.
When would you want to advocate for yourself?
- When you feel like you are not being treated fairly or are not getting what you need.
- When you have a different opinion than someone else and you want to share your perspective.
- When you want to take control of your own life and make your own choices.
- In meetings that are about you and your future.
Where would you want to advocate for yourself?
There are many different types of meetings where you might need to advocate for yourself. Here are a few examples:
CFTs
CFT stands for “Child Find Team”. It is a group of people who work together to identify and help you with specific needs. The CFT may include your youth leaders, counselors, teachers, social workers, and other people who are trying to help you.
Meetings with Teachers
Many times students need to meet with their teachers. For example, if you are struggling in a class, get behind on classwork, or are having an issue with a classmate, you may need to talk to your teacher about getting help.
IEPs
An IEP (Individualized Education Program) meeting is a meeting that is held to discuss your educational needs (if you have a disability). You, your parents, teachers, and other school staff attend the meeting.
504 Meetings
A 504 meeting is similar to an IEP meeting, but it is for students who do not have a disability. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the accommodations that you may need to succeed in school.
Meetings with Administrators
There may be times when you need to meet with school administrators. For example, if you or a friend is being bullied, you may need to talk to the principal about it; or, if you are feeling unsafe at school, you may need to talk to school security or another adult about it.
Court
Youth might go to court for different reasons, like family court, dependency court (foster care), or delinquency court (probation). Adults usually make decisions about what’s best for them, but youth are the ones most affected. So, it’s important to have a say in court.
Settling a Disagreement
You might need to advocate for yourself when settling a disagreement when you feel like you’re not being heard or understood. This could happen in any setting, like at home, at school, or in the community. If you feel like you are not being heard, it is important to speak up and share your perspective.
Job Situations
When you get a job offer, you will need to talk about your pay and benefits. If you want a promotion or to go to special trainings or events, you may need to ask for them. During your yearly review, you may not agree with everything your boss says.
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