Self-Advocacy Presentation

Counselling & Disability Services Orientation 2012Presentation by the Self-Advocacy Divas

WELCOME

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ICE BREAKER

• Just a few questions for you:

• Make some noise (or raise your hand) if your answer to the following is "Yes"!

• You are happy to have completed high school.

• You are nervous about going to university.

• You were told that you couldn't go to university because of your disability.

• You know what "Self Advocacy" is.

EUGENIE

PURPOSE OF THE PRESENTATION

• We will teach you…

• How to succeed in university by being a self-advocate.

• How to access important services to support your learning.

EUGENIE

WHAT IS SELF ADVOCACY ALL ABOUT?

Self Advocacy is all about knowing, saying and doing!

VALERIE

KNOWING:YOU ARE YOUR OWN EXPERT

Know your strengths as well as your needs.

What is a strength? –Your talents and all the things you are good at.

What is a need?–An area where you need more support.

VALERIE

SAYING:SPEAKING UP FOR YOURSELF!

• This involves communicating your strengths and needs to others.

• Even if you think your needs are obvious, say them anyway.

• No one else will speak for what your strengths and needs are.

STEPHANIE

DOING:TAKE ACTION FOR YOURSELF!

• Don't wait for others to do things for you.

• You have to do things for yourself

• Doing things for yourself helps you become more independent.

STEPHANIE

A NEW KIND OF SUPPORT

In university your support system includes a different group of people and services.

–Professors –Disability Services Counselors –Disability Services –Friends–Other Services

GILLIAN

TO BE A GOOD SELF-ADVOCATE THERE ARE THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

1) Know yourself–Understand your disability. –Understand your strengths and your needs.

2) Know your rights.–The Ontario Human Rights Code states your rights.

3) Know how to communicate to achieve your goals.

VARSHINI

HOW DO I PRACTICE SELF-ADVOCACY?

Develop your own strategy for learning (e.g. create your own lists in your own words).

Express yourself in a positive and respectful way to professors, peers, university staff members, etc.

Connect with services provided on campus.

Get involved in campus activities.

KATHRYN

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

The Ontario Human Rights Code states that:

–You have the right to be treated equitably.

–You should not be afraid to ask for what you need.

–You have the right to discuss your accommodation with your professor and counselor. It is a shared responsibility.

EUGENIE

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY

• You DO NOT have to tell your professor what your disability is.

• You DO have to explain what your accommodations are.

• If you think it will help to talk about your disability, it is YOUR choice.

VARSHINI

KNOW HOW TO COMMUNICATE!

EFFECTIVE

COMMUNICATION

KATHRYN

TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR PROFESSOR

1) Be confident

2) Have the right attitude

KATHRYN

BE CONFIDENT MEANS:

• You have a right to speak to the professor.

• You are not begging for favors.

• You are doing the right thing.

• Only you can tell the professor what your needs are.

KATHRYN

HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE:

• Show up to your classes on time.

• Don't assume that everybody owes you something.

• Be willing to work together with others for your own success.

• Be the change that you want!

ZAHRA

TIME FOR SOME ACTING!

• You will see a scenario that shows two students interacting with their professor to discuss their accommodations.

• Pay close attention to the scenarios and observe what happens, as a discussion will follow.

STEPHANIE

SCENARIOS

• SCENARIO A•Annette approaches her professor to discuss her accommodations in her course.

• SCENARIO B•Gillian discusses her accommodations with professor.

VARSHINI

DISCUSSION

What did you think about the two scenarios?

ZAHRA

THANK YOU FROM THE SELF ADVOCACY DIVAS

FINAL NOTE OF THE DAY:

SELF-ADVOCACY IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE

&

REMEMBER,

WE’RE IN IT TOGETHER!