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An advocate is someone who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, or action. Self-advocacy, involves advocating for oneself. Advocacy can be used to promote causes, or change systems. Education advocacy can be on behalf of a student who needs assistance with services and can involve both paid and non-paid advocates or lawyers. Legislative advocacy refers to efforts to influence laws.  In this section, you can read tips on how to be an effective advocate so that you can get what you want when you are standing up for the things you need.

Produced by Norman Kunc & Emma Van der Klift. This video, “A Credo for Support” is spoken by members of San Luis Obispo People First.

This powerful 5-minute video set to music offers a series of suggestions for people who care about and support someone with a disability. It prompts viewers to question the common perceptions of disability, professionalism, and support. To order copies of the DVD go to www.specialneeds.com