What is Self Advocacy?
Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself and asking for your needs and wants. Self-advocacy is important because as an adult, you will want to become more independent.
Making Decisions and Becoming More Independent
You’ll make decisions about your life:
It can also mean standing up for what you believe in such as removing barriers to people with disabilities and protecting equal rights.
Learn more about self-advocacy:
Find a Group
Many self-advocacy groups in Maryland provide opportunities to help people develop skills to speak up for themselves. The groups are usually run by people with disabilities. Here are just a few:
Our Own of Maryland
On Our Own of Maryland has support groups whose members receive behavioral health services. It also supports the Transitional Age Youth Outreach Project, a peer network geared for young adults ages 18 – 30. More information can be found at On Our Own of Maryland or visit them on Facebook.
People On the Go of Maryland
People On the Go of Maryland is a statewide group of advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities. People On the Go of Maryland supports local groups.
Self-Advocacy Online
For other self-advocacy groups in Maryland, visit Self-Advocacy Online. The website also offers lessons on self-advocacy.