Instruction in Self-Advocacy

Instruction in self-advocacy is one of the five required Pre-Employment Transition Services of the 2014 Title IV, Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, PL 113-128 (29 USC 3101).

Instruction in self-advocacy (including instruction in person-centered planning), may include peer mentoring, and must be made available, in collaboration with local education agencies (LEAs), to all students with disabilities who need them, and are eligible or potentially eligible for VR services.

What is Self-Advocacy?

Often self-determination and self-advocacy are used interchangeably, yet in education and many other disability and research disciplines, self-advocacy is one element of self-determination. Self-advocacy refers to an individual’s ability to effectively communicate, convey, negotiate or assert his/her own interests and/or desires. The development of self-advocacy skills should be started at an early age.  These skills will be needed in education, workplace and community settings (WINTAC, 2020).

What Skills are the Focus Areas of Instruction in Self-Advocacy as a Pre-Employment Transition Service?

• Disability disclosure
• Disability understanding
• Decision making (including supported decision making)
• Effective communication (requesting help, assertiveness, listening)
• Evaluating options
• Goal setting and attainment
• Identifying independence
• Identifying, selecting, requesting, ...utilizing modifications
• Intrinsic motivation
• Leadership (personal and systemic)
• Knowledge of rights and responsibilities
• Problem solving
• Progress monitoring
• Self-awareness
• Self-determination
• Self-efficacy
• Self-reflection

What is Person-Centered Planning? Person Centered Planning is an ongoing problem-solving process used to help people with disabilities plan for their future. In person centered planning, groups of people focus on an individual and that person's vision of their life and what they would like to do in the future.

What is Peer Mentoring? Peer mentoring is a key component of instruction in self-advocacy for pre-employment transition services. Peers are individuals who share some common characteristics, attributes or circumstances.

• Peer mentoring is a process through which a more experienced individual encourages and assists a less experienced individual within a shared area of interest.
• Mentoring relationships can keep students with disabilities in school, contribute to positive self-esteem, and identify realistic career and academic goals. Examples include:
  • Peer mentors can share experience working in competitive integrated employment in similar career area(s) of interest;
  • Peer mentors can share experience identifying their own support needs, requesting accommodations, using Disability Student Services on college campuses and other post-secondary education opportunities.
• Some State VR agencies have established peer mentoring programs for students with disabilities, which can be used as one strategy to deliver instruction in self-advocacy as a pre-employment transition service.