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SELF-ADVOCACY
Self-advocacy is not the same as advocacy for people with disabilities. Self-advocacy is about people with disabilities advocating for themselves. It is about civil rights and supporting people in speaking up for themselves in order to bring about changes in policies, attitudes, and opportunities. Over the past 20 years many self-advocacy groups have been emerging across the country. At Tri-Development Center and the Aiken County Board of Disabilities, we welcome and are supportive of this movement. We have found that many of those we serve require training in order to realize that it is okay to speak out on issues that are of concern to them. If we are to improve our ability to assist people with disabilities in reaching their goals, it is essential that we know what it is that they want and don’t want. We understand that their rights include the rights to speak up about what concerns them, to be treated as equals, and to make decisions. We also know that those to whom we provide supports have a right to be able to make new friendships and renew old friendships, and to be able to learn from their mistakes just like everyone else. Friends in Action is a self-advocacy group of individuals with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and related disabilities who meet in Aiken, South Carolina to discuss issues of concern to them and to plan activities that are of interest to the group’s members. Officers of Friends in Action are:
Meetings are held monthly in the evenings on the third Thursday of the month at Odell Weeks. Members of the group are encouraged to arrange their own transportation, but limited assistance in this area is available. The group members have opportunities to speak out and periodically make presentations to board members and other community groups. Members also take advantage of opportunities to participate in self-advocacy conferences, other workshops, and a variety of other activities. They also plan get- togethers throughout the year in which they can relax, dance, develop new friendships, and strengthen existing ones. Volunteer advisors and individuals who can help in the area of transportation are needed. For more information, contact Joan Lioi (803-642-8812) or Debra Jeter (803-642-8825).
The Satellites is a self-advocacy group of individuals with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and related disabilities who meet at the Tri-Development Center/Aiken County Board of Disabilities Satellite at 725 Edgefield Road in North Augusta, South Carolina. At their meetings they discuss issues of concern to them and plan activities that are of interest to the group’s members. Meetings are held monthly. Members of the group are encouraged to arrange their own transportation, but limited assistance in this area is available. The group members have opportunities to speak out and periodically make presentations to board members and other community groups. Members also take advantage of opportunities to participate in self-advocacy conferences, other workshops, and a variety of other activities. They also plan get- togethers throughout the year in which they can relax, dance, develop new friendships, and strengthen existing ones. Volunteer advisors and individuals who can help in the area of transportation are needed. For more information, contact Jones Bowen at 803-642-8809. |
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Board of Disabilities, please contact us at any of the following: Last Updated On:
April 17, 2007
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