WHAT IS ADVOCACY?

Promoting, Dignity, Equality and Self-Determination

Washington Protection & Advocacy System

Table of Contents:

What is advocacy?
What is your advocacy style?
Finding my style
Types of Advocacy
What makes an advocate?
Indentifying your biases
Advocacy Pitfalls
Preparing an Advocacy Plan

Finding My Style:

Based on experiences, we all have comfort zones and unique approaches to problem-solving.

With which statements do you identify most closely?

Remember, there is not a right or wrong approach to advocacy. Styles change and develop and acquire flexibility with experience.

	I challenge others openly when they make inaccurate comments or say something inappropriate.
	I prefer immediate responses to problems.
	I work really hard to look at all sides of the problem before I offer input.
	I value opinions that are different than my own.
	I challenge others privately when they make inaccurate or inappropriate statements.
	I really try to put myself in others' shoes.
	I offer immediate feedback even when I know others may not like what I have to say.
	I make it very clear to others what is acceptable and not acceptable to me.
	I believe there are two sides to every issue and try to look at them both.
	When I see someone being taken advantage of, I am compelled to do something about it right away.
	I'm more comfortable filing a complaint in writing.
	I'm more comfortable filing a complaint in person.
	I'm a pretty soft-hearted person.
	I like to take the bull by the horns.
	I prefer to discuss alternatives informally.
	I'm very organized and would closely document advocacy proceedings.

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Washington Protection & Advocacy System
315 - Fifth Avenue South, Suite 850
Seattle, WA 98104
*Phone: (206) 324-1521 or in Washington State: (800) 562-2702
TTY: (206) 957-0728 or in Washington State: (800) 905-0209
Fax: (206) 957-0729
*Interpreters Available in over 200 languages via AT&T Language Line
E-mail: wpas@wpas-rights.org
URL: http://www.wpas-rights.org

WHAT IS ADVOCACY?

Finding My Style:

I challenge others openly when they make inaccurate comments or say something inappropriate.

I prefer immediate responses to problems.

I work really hard to look at all sides of the problem before I offer input.

I value opinions that are different than my own.

I challenge others privately when they make inaccurate or inappropriate statements.

I really try to put myself in others' shoes.

I offer immediate feedback even when I know others may not like what I have to say.

I make it very clear to others what is acceptable and not acceptable to me.

I believe there are two sides to every issue and try to look at them both.

When I see someone being taken advantage of, I am compelled to do something about it right away.

I'm more comfortable filing a complaint in writing.

I'm more comfortable filing a complaint in person.

I'm a pretty soft-hearted person.

I like to take the bull by the horns.

I prefer to discuss alternatives informally.

I'm very organized and would closely document advocacy proceedings.