Self-Advocacy
Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself. It’s asking for what you need and saying what you want. It also means knowing your rights and making choices about your own life.
As you get older, you will have more chances to make decisions on your own. Being a good self-advocate will help you be more independent.
Why Self-Advocacy Matters
When you speak up for yourself, you can:
- Get the help and support you need.
- Make choices about your job, school, and life.
- Build confidence in yourself.
- Stand up for your rights and for others.
Making Your Own Decisions
As an adult, you will make choices about:
- Your job: what kind of work you do and where you work.
- Where you live: in your own home, with family, or with roommates.
- Your health care: the doctors you see and the treatments you choose.
- The support you need: help at work, school, or in daily life.
Being a self-advocate also means speaking out to remove barriers for people with disabilities and protecting equal rights.
Supported Decision-Making
Everyone needs support when making decisions. For some people with disabilities, that support may need to be stronger or look different. Supported Decision-Making means getting help from people you trust so you can make your own choices. It is another option instead of guardianship and helps you keep your rights and stay in control of your life. Because everyone is unique, supported decision-making will look different for each person.
Get answers, resources, and tools to learn more about Supported-Decision Making.
How to Practice Self-Advocacy
Here are some ways to build your skills:
- Know yourself – Understand your strengths, needs, and goals.
- Learn your rights – Know the laws that protect people with disabilities, like the ADA.
- Speak clearly – Practice explaining what you need in simple words.
- Ask questions – If you don’t understand something, speak up.
- Find support – Join groups where people share advice and help each other.
Start Today!
Self-advocacy is a skill you can grow over time. You don’t have to do everything at once. Start small—ask a question, share your opinion, or tell someone what you need. Each time you speak up, you’re building the skills you’ll need to make your own choices and live the life you want.
Find a Self-Advocacy Group in Maryland
Many self-advocacy groups in Maryland are run by people with disabilities. They are a great way to meet others, share ideas, and learn new skills.
- On Our Own of Maryland – Support groups for people who get behavioral health services. Also runs the Transitional Age Youth Outreach Project for young adults ages 18–30.
- People On the Go of Maryland – A statewide group of advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
