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Self Advocacy
Speaking up For Yourself
Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself and your rights.
It is about:
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knowing your rights
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understanding what you need
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telling people what matters to you
Self-advocacy supports you:
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be involved in decisions about your life
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say what you want — and what you don’t want
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build confidence and independence
Why Self‑Advocacy Matters
Self-advocacy:
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gives you voice and control
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builds confidence and independence
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supports inclusion in everyday life
Parts of Self-Advocacy?
Knowing Your Rights
Understanding your rights, including disability rights and human rights.
Understanding Your Needs
Knowing what support you need to live your life the way you choose.
Communication
Telling people clearly what you want, need, and prefer.
Decision-Making
Being part of decisions about your life.
Confidence
Believing your voice matters.
Seeking Support
Asking for support when you need it.
WARNING: The following image may contain images and voices of deceased persons.
Speak Out supports self-advocacy through
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Road to Success training (co-designed with people with intellectual disability)
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Monthly self-advocacy meetings across Tasmania
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National Self-Advocacy Conference
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Opportunities to speak up to government and decision-makers
These activities support people:
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learn about their rights
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build confidence
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connect with others
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influence real change
Examples of Self Advocacy
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A student with an intellectual disability asking for extra time on tests.
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An employee requesting reasonable accommodations at work.
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A person challenging a service provider for an incorrect bill that they have receive.