What is Self-Advocacy?
- Speaking up for yourself
- Making your own decisions about your own life
- Learning how to get information so you can understand things that are of interest to you
- Learning about self-determination
- Finding support in your journey
- Knowing your rights and responsibilities
- Problem solving, listening, and learning
- Reaching out to others when you need help and friendship
Self-Advocacy provides the knowledge needed to succeed and the chance to participate in decisions that are being made about your life.
- Self-Advocacy Training
Charting My LifeCourse is a set of online interactive trainings produced by self-advocates for self-advocates specifically for advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.
The Charting My LifeCourse trainings are organized around the following topics:- Topic 1. Discovering Charting the LifeCourse
- Topic 2. Discovering the Support Star
- Topic 3. Discovering Your Good Life
- Easy Readers
The Easy Readers were developed to provide individuals and families with plain language, easy-to-read information about the Division of Developmental Disabilities, resources, and supports.
- Housemates and You
- What You Need to Know About Choosing a Home
- What You Need to Know About Self-Directing Your Supports
- Surveys and You: Your Voice Matters
- Waivers and You
- Ways to Help Keep You Healthy
- What is the Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities?
- What is Medicaid/MO HealthNet?
- What is Your Individual Support Plan?
- Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
- Say No to Abuse and Neglect
- Self-Determination
Self-Determination means that individuals are the primary decision maker in their lives, pursue what is important to them, and have a meaningful role in the community. This includes five key principles:
- Freedom: Individuals will live a meaningful life in the community and make choices about their lives.
- Authority: Individuals will have meaningful control over a set amount of dollars that can be used to build the supports they need by purchasing only what is needed and paying for what is received.
- Support: Individuals will have support to organize resources in ways that are life enhancing and assist them in reaching their dreams and goals. Individuals have a circle of supports made up of family, friends, and both paid and unpaid supports.
- Responsibility: Individuals assume responsibility for giving back to their community, for seeking employment, and for developing unique gifts and talents.
- Confirmation: Individuals are recognized for who they are and what they can contribute, having a leadership role in developing policies that affect their lives and helping others reach success.
- Self-Advocacy Resources
- Missouri Quality Outcomes (MOQO)
The Missouri Quality Outcomes encourage people with disabilities to lead a self-determined life. More information on the Outcomes is available on the MOQO webpage.
- DD Awareness Videos