According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, advocacy is defined as “the act or process of supporting” something, such as a cause, policy, or person, or “to act as an advocate for someone”. Within the disability community, advocacy may be very important for the community as a whole and for individuals within the community. Advocacy and self-advocacy may help improve the civil rights of people with disabilities; may improve access to healthcare, education, employment, and to the community; and may improve their inclusion in all aspects of community life.

People with disabilities often advocate for themselves and their families, friends, and communities. Individuals without disabilities may also advocate for their loved ones with disabilities. There are also many national and local organizations that advocate for people with disabilities. Organizations may advocate for people with disabilities as a whole, like Centers for Independent Living or the American Association of People with Disabilities, or they may focus on a specific disability, such as United Spinal or the National Alliance for Mental illness. NARIC’s Knowledgebase is full of organizations within the US and Spanish speaking countries who advocate for people with disabilities in their communities.

NIDILRR-funded projects  have and continue to research advocacy for and by people with disabilities and continue to produce articles, factsheets, and more that discuss advocacy, the improvement of service delivery, the effect of the Americans with Disabilities Act on advocacy and stigma, home- and community-based services, self-advocacy, and more.

Do you want to learn more about advocacy, self-advocacy, or advocacy services in your area? Contact NARIC’s information specialists via email, phone, or chat to learn more.