The Importance of Advocacy
The word “advocacy” comes from the Latin ”advocare” and literally means “to call out for support”. Advocacy is acting, speaking, or writing to promote, protect and defend the human rights of individuals. In this blog I discuss advocacy for women with disabilities. This is something that is very close to me as I am one of these women. I also have placed a focus on self-advocacy. The base principle of self-advocacy is to be seen and heard as an individual, not as a disability, a number or a color . To be heard as a person who knows what is right for themselves. Self-advocacy is a process of taking power away from institutions and giving it back to the person to whom the power belongs. I think self-advocacy is definitely a way of life and a movement, and is possible when individuals are informed. Being informed means knowing your rights and the legislation that you are fighting against. It also means being able to see the bigger picture of what your actions will put into motion. You...