Your role in supporting self-advocacy includes which of the following?

Being an ally is fundamental to supporting self-advocacy because it involves empowering individuals to express their own needs, preferences, and rights. An ally actively listens to the perspectives of those with disabilities, respects their autonomy, and provides support that encourages them to take charge of their own narratives.

This supportive role fosters an environment where individuals feel safe and confident enough to advocate for themselves without an overreliance on others to speak on their behalf. It encompasses understanding the challenges they face and collaborating with them to navigate those challenges, rather than directing or speaking for them. This approach respects the dignity and agency of individuals with disabilities, which is a core principle of self-advocacy.

Engaging in behaviors like telling someone how to do something or speaking on their behalf limits their voice and undermines their capacity to govern their own actions. Therefore, by being a genuine ally, you contribute to a culture of self-advocacy that respects individual empowerment and choice.