Advocacy Services
Posted January 18, 2022 by Beth in Independent Living
Do you know that one of the five Core Services that RCIL offers is Advocacy? RCIL offers two forms of advocacy services and they are individual advocacy and system advocacy. Individual advocacy services help people with disabilities develop the skills they need to represent themselves. These skills help them act on their own behalf to obtain support services from agencies in the community. Through systems advocacy, RCIL works at community, state, and federal levels for policy changes that make facilities, services and opportunities accessible to people with disabilities.
There are a number of good advocacy skills that can help you to become an effective advocate. Here are a few skills that you can consider as you advocate on behalf of yourself or others.
- Preparation
- Identify the key issues that you are encountering.
- Identify some possible solutions that you see as workable.
- Identify people who may be able to help you.
- Communication
- Be clear, concrete, and assertive.
- Listen carefully to what other people are saying.
- Ask questions.
- Documentation
- Record your discussions in a notebook.
- Keep a file of written responses and other documents.
- Follow up
- You may ask to speak with a supervisor or director.
If you are a person with a disability and want to improve your advocacy skills, contact RCIL at 785-528-3105 for more information and to request services.
