Advocacy

Advocacy is defined as any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others.

An example of an advocacy is a parent or guardian of an individual with I/DD working to secure a necessary service or services for their loved one.

• Self-Advocacy

• Individual Advocacy

• Systems Advocacy

• Clarity of Purpose

• Safeguard of Individuals

• Confidentiality of Individual Information

• Equality and Diversity of Service

• Empowerment and Putting People First

The goals and objectives of advocacy are to facilitate change, access to necessary services, Identifying and eliminating harmful policies, practices and services and the development of new areas of policy, with the purpose to tackle unmet health or social needs or deal with emerging health or social needs in a given community.

The end goal of advocacy is the desired result.

Promoting the interests of your loved one and others like them to ensure government and agency accountability.

Monitoring compliance of policy, regulations and obligations of government and agencies.

Scrutiny of legislation, programs and initiatives to ensure all are included but not harmed by either intended or unintended outcomes.

Know exactly what you are advocating for. Conveying your message becomes easier when you immerse yourself into the cause and gain: a thorough understanding of what you are supporting.

Use technology to your advantage.

Boil down your issue and focus your message.

Show the audience that you care. Tell your personal story!

An advocacy message is the core statement you will use to share your mission with the audience, it is a crucial component in getting your mission out there and should be crafted strategically with careful consideration.

Advocacy is an activity by an individual or group that aims to influence decisions within political, economic, and social institutions. ... Advocacy can include many activities that a person or organization undertakes including legislative calls, letters, emails and visits, media campaigns, public speaking, commissioning and publishing research.

• Advocates are passionate, enthusiastic, driven, compassionate, caring.

• Advocates are well informed. (Parents and Guardians need to know the issues)

• Advocates are great communicators. (Tell your personal story)

• Advocates are goal-oriented. (Know what you want)

• Advocates are connectors. (find others with similar issues, they are out there)

• Advocates are flexible. (Learn how to negotiate from a position of power)

• Advocates are inspiring.

• Advocates are empowering. (Empower others and the individuals you are advocating for)

• Attitude and Emotion. (Be open to discussion, be passionate but controlled)

• Flexibility. (Keep an open mind and listen)

• Determination. (Flexibility in how a problem gets solved is not the same as whether it gets solved)

• Creating a paper trail. (Even if you remember what people said, you need to be able to prove it)

• Knowledge. (Help your audience understand the issue)

• Communication

• Collaboration

• Presentation

• Maintaining professional relationships

These are a few of many skills needed by an advocate.

Advocacy tools include: booklets, pamphlets, seminars, workshops, slide shows, movies, resource guides, press conferences, television debates, radio shows, exposes, phone campaigns, advertisements, public announcements, press releases and posters.

Communications is the core of any advocacy effort.