Self Advocacy:  It's what we all do best!

Did you know?

• Your ideas and opinions matter and can help to make services better for people with disabilities.
  
  
• The Langley Association has two Self Advocates on the Board of Directors - Gerry London and Sky Hendsbee.
  
  
• The Langley Association for Community Living was the first Association in the province to have a Self Advocate on the Board of Directors in 1976.
  
  
• The Langley Association for Community Liivng has two Self Advocate committees: one group meets at the Community Outreach office on Thursday evenings and the other group meets once a month at the Head Office of Langley Association for Community Living on a Friday morning.
  
  
• That you can join these committees, if you would like to.
   

What is Self Advocacy?

Self Advocacy means speaking up for yourself.  You are sharing your thoughts and opinions through actions and words to help others understand how you feel and what you think is right.

What is a Self Advocate Committee?

A Self Advocate Committee is a group of people who work together in learning and talking about their rights and taking action.
 

What does Self Advocacy look like?

Being able to speak out and to talk about how you feel about issues.  Knowing what the problem is and what needs to be changed.  Knowing your rights and what to do when they are denied.

Six steps towards Self Advocacy

• Talking
• Listening
• Sharing Information
• Meeting in small groups
• Taking action
• Looking back

Who is involved in the Self Advocate Committee?

Langley Association for Community Living
Family and friends
People with different abilities
Support staff

What is a committee?

A committee is a group of people working together to try and achive the same goal.

What happens at a committee meeting?

The information discussed at the last committee meeting is read out loud so that everyone can remember what was talked about.

Discussion about the meeting minutes are either continued or new information is discussed.

Goals are made and actions are decided.

What are minutes?

Minutes are a written record of the important information discussed at the meeting and any decisions made.  Minutes can also be recorded onto an audio recorder.

How is a committee run?

A committee meets once a month.

Each member receives a copy of the minutes.

Members of the committee may get involved in taking action towards a goal of the committee.