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What You Should Know about Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination in Massachusetts
Courtesy of Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (MASS), a state-wide self-advocacy organization started and run by individuals with various challenges.
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SELF-ADVOCACY: WHAT IS IT?
Self-advocacy is about independent groups of people with disabilities working together for justice by helping each other take charge of our lives and fight discrimination. It teaches us how to make decisions and choices that affect our lives so we can be more independent.
It teaches us about our rights, but along with learning about our rights, we learn responsibilities. The way we learn about advocating for ourselfves is by supporting each other and helping each other gain confidence in ourselves so we can speak out for what we believe in.
- Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) 1993
RESOURCES
Massachusetts Information
For information on local, regional, and state-wide self-advocacy and self-determination in Massachusetts, contact MASS.
Families can also contact Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change by phone at 1-800-406-3632, by e-mail at mfofc@comcast.net, or by mail at P.O. Box 61, Raynham, MA 02768.
National Information
Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE): P.O. Box 105CI, New Fairfield, CT 06812
Tools to Use
Self-Advocacy Start-Up Tool Kit; Close the Doors Campaign Kit; and Self-determination Training Package for Project Leadership from SABE are available from:
The Center on Human Policy, Syracuse University
805 South Crouse Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13244-2280
Phone: 1-800-894-0826
E-mail: thechp@sued.syr.edu
Books
New Voices: Self-Advocacy by People with Disabilities (1996), edited by Gunnar Dybwad and Hank Bersani
We Can Speak for Ourselves (1982) by Paul Williams and Bonnie Shoultz
Many more resources are available on MASS's website or by contacting MASS or SABE.
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