Advocacy: How to Stand Up for Yourself or Others

Advocacy is about speaking up, understanding needs, and ensuring rights are respected—whether you are advocating for yourself, for a loved one, or for someone in your community. Effective advocacy helps people access the services, opportunities, and protections they are entitled to, while also creating lasting positive change.

Everyone’s advocacy journey looks different. Some of us are advocating for our own needs, while others are helping children, parents, or others who rely on support. Regardless of the situation, the core principles are the same.

What Advocacy Means

At its core, advocacy is about:

• Identifying and understanding needs.

• Communicating those needs clearly to others.

• Protecting and advancing rights.

• Ensuring access to services, supports, and opportunities.

Advocacy can be personal (self-advocacy), familial (helping loved ones), or systemic (influencing programs, policies, or community practices). The skills you develop can apply across all these contexts.

12 Advocacy Skills to Develop

1. Believe in the Worth of the Person You Support
Every person deserves respect, dignity, and access to opportunities. Whether advocating for yourself or others, start from the belief that everyone’s needs matter and that systemic barriers—not personal limitations—should never define potential.

2. Know Your Rights (or Their Rights)
Understanding relevant laws and protections—like the ADA, IDEA, Section 504, or other applicable policies—gives you the foundation to request services, challenge barriers, and ensure fair treatment.

3. Don’t Settle for Less
Challenge assumptions that minimal support is sufficient. Fight for the resources, access, and opportunities that are truly needed for safety, independence, and full participation in life.

4. Identify Your Advocacy Style
Advocacy takes many forms: direct communication, written correspondence, public speaking, strategic negotiation, or grassroots organizing. Find the approaches that suit your strengths and your situation.

5. Do Your Research
Gather facts about programs, policies, or services. Understand eligibility, timelines, and documentation requirements. Being informed strengthens your credibility and effectiveness.

6. Communicate Clearly and Respectfully
Be professional, polite, and direct. Stick to facts and explain why a need or request is important. Clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings and strengthens your position.

7. Keep Records
Document requests, agreements, deadlines, and conversations. Written records create accountability, prevent miscommunication, and provide evidence if disputes arise.

8. Be Persistent
Systems and processes can be slow. Follow up consistently, try multiple communication channels, and enlist allies when needed. Persistence often makes the difference between inaction and results.

9. Appeal When Denied
Initial denials are common, whether for benefits, services, or accommodations. Use appeals processes or advocacy resources to challenge decisions. Prepare documentation and facts in advance for the strongest impact.

10. Use a Balanced Approach
Start by educating and collaborating with the people or organizations involved. If cooperation fails, escalate appropriately—through complaints, legal avenues, or public awareness—to hold systems accountable.

11. Leverage Networks and Technology
Connect with others advocating in similar situations. Social media, professional networks, and community groups can amplify your voice, provide guidance, and increase impact.

12. Practice Self-Care
Advocacy can be emotionally and physically demanding. Celebrate victories, recharge, and seek support when needed. Sustained advocacy requires resilience and balance—whether you are advocating for yourself or others.

Final Thought

Advocacy is a skill that can empower you to navigate systems, access needed supports, and protect rights—both for yourself and for those who rely on you. By developing these skills, you can make meaningful change, overcome barriers, and ensure that all voices are heard.

Have Questions or Want Help?

We’re here to help families and providers understand the process and take action.

📱 Call or Text: 260-209-4404

📧 Email: info@FamilySolutionsCares.com