Mike ThorntonMichael Thornton joined the Disability Rights Arkansas staff in December of 2020. A native of North Little Rock, Michael serves as the self-advocate coordinator for DRA. Michael travels around the state (virtually or in-person), training self-advocates to speak up for themselves and to help build self-advocacy chapters. In addition to his work at DRA, Michael is the self-advocacy faculty advisor for the Arkansas and Mississippi leadership education in neurodevelopmental and related disabilities program.

Michael serves on various boards and committees. He currently serves as President of the Disability Coalition Board and was nominated to the Community Advisory Committee of University of Arkansas – Partners for Inclusive Communities, where he has previously served as Chairperson.

Michael believes that ALL means ALL when it comes to disability inclusion and self-advocacy. We all have something to add to the conversation about self-advocacy, and we all can learn from each other.

Self-Advocacy is…Mike Thornton

Disability Rights AR

Self-Advocacy Network Development

WHO IS A SELF-ADVOCATE?

A Self-Advocate is a person who publicly supports a cause.

YOU publicly support your right

to grow.

YOU publicly support your right to ask for what you

need or want.

YOU publicly support your right

to work.

YOU publicly support your right

to belong in the community.

YOU publicly support your right

to pursue your rights as a person.

AND SO MUCH MORE!

WHAT DOES A SELF-ADVOCATE DO?

• They find self-assurance in their abilities and qualities as a person…

• This grows their confidence!

A Self-Advocate…

• Learns what is right for them, and is true to their needs…

• Then they speak up for their needs because no one else knows what they need then they need.

A SELF-ADVOCATE

• Asks questions until they understand!

• We all continue to learn throughout our entire lifetimes…

• NEVER allow an opportunity to learn something new pass you by.

A Self-Advocate…

• Will take responsibility for their lives.

• They will learn from their mistakes and…

• They will keep trying!

• YOU have the right to fail…

• BUT you don’t have the right to stay in failure…

“The more you do, the more you fail. The more you fail, the more you learn. The more you learn, the better you get.”

JOHN C. MAXWELL

Now let’s talk about your rights...

•You have the right to choose where to go to school.

•You have the right to talk privately on the telephone.

•You have the right to have your own money.

• You have the right to privately send and receive mail, e-mail, or text messages.

•You have the right to privacy of yourself and your belongings.

•You have the right to choose what your wear.

•You have the right to vote.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

•You have the right to choose your friends and choose your FUN!

•You have the right to choose how you spend your free time.

•You have the right to legal representation.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

• You have the right to choose your own religion and/or go to Church, Synagogue, Temple, Mosque, or wherever your chosen religion meets.

•You have the right to live and play in the community.

•You have the right to see a Doctor or a Dentist.

•You have the right to be alone.

•You have the right to say NO!

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

•You have the right to work at a job you like or to not work at all.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

•You have the right to be safe in your own home.

•You have the right to be listened to and to choose the services you need.

•You have the right to choose what you want to eat.

•You have the right to be treated with respect.

• You have the right to choose how you spend your time with your friends and family.

Questionsand Activities…