Self-advocacy is an individual’s ability to effectively communicate, convey, negotiate or assert his or her own interests, desires, needs, and rights. It involves making informed decisions and taking responsibility for those decisions. Teaching self-advocacy often begins with lessons about how to make personal choices.

These lessons can range from essential choices related to health and wellness, such as what to eat, how to spend free time, or how to make decisions at a doctor’s office, to choices about long term planning like what students will do after graduating from high school.

Self-Advocacy also encompasses skill development related to effectively disclosing disability and communicating needs for accommodations. The following resources include information that will aid in teaching self-advocacy and self-determination skills students might need be successful no matter what option is chosen after high school.