What is Advocacy?

“Advocacy” can mean many things, but at its core, it refers to taking action. It involves speaking up and acting on behalf of yourself or others to promote positive change, ensure rights, and address needs. Advocacy can take many forms, and there are various types of actions you can take to make your voice heard and push for change.

Self Advocacy

Self-Advocacy is speaking up for oneself!

Individual (Peer) Advocacy

Individual advocacy is having someone to stand beside you if you think somethings unfair, or that someone is treating you badly and you would like to do something to change it

Systems Advocacy

Systems Advocacy is about changing policies, laws or rules that impact how someone lives their life.

Legal Advocacy

Taking action to use attorneys and the legal or administrative systems to establish or protect legal rights.

Becoming an Effective Advocate

Becoming an effective advocate is an ongoing journey of growth and learning. Individuals with disabilities, along with their families and friends, must develop the skills necessary to advocate effectively.

That’s why OSILC has compiled this list of advocacy resources—to provide individuals with disabilities, along with their families and friends, the tools and knowledge needed to build effective advocacy skills. We aim to empower you to take control of your advocacy journey and foster a more inclusive and respectful community.

Remember, there is no single formula for advocacy. It’s all about experimenting with different approaches, finding what works best for you, and continuously refining your methods.

You’re not just learning how to advocate—you’re becoming a champion for yourself, your peers, and your entire community.

Resources

General

AAPD Advocacy Guide (pdf) – https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/AAPD-Advocacy-Guide.pdf

Advocacy Toolkit: Skills and Strategies for Effective and Peer Advocacy Produced by Disability Rights Wisconsin, BIA of Wisconsin – https://www.brainline.org/article/advocacy-toolkit-skills-and-strategies-effective-and-peer-advocacy

Advocacy in Action – United Spinal Association – https://unitedspinal.org/advocacy-in-action/

Voting

Your Vote Counts: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Voting in the U.S. – Autistic Self Advocacy Network

Your Vote Counts: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Voting in the U.S.

Disability Rights Ohio why-is-it-important-to-vote-831 (pdf) – https://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/assets/documents/why-is-it-important-to-vote-831.pdf

Arc of New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project Voting Rights (pdf) – https://www.arcnj.org/file_download/8cabb0cf-8047-4d54-a0de-d3db5e33e8d9