What Is Advocacy?

Provides independent advocacy for people with disabilities to:

• Uphold their human rights
• Address instances of discrimination, abuse, neglect, and exploitation

Advocates are completely on the side of the person with a disability and:

• Strongly support cases where an individual has been taken advantage of or their rights have been infringed upon because of their disability
• Support individuals who may be subject to disadvantage over and above their disability because of race and/or the isolation they often experience within society generally.

Definition of Advocacy:

Advocacy strives to be emphatic and vigorous, functioning (speaking, acting, writing) with minimum conflict of interest on behalf of the sincerely perceived interests of a person or group in order to promote, protect and defend the welfare of, and justice for, either individuals or groups.

Advocacy may include issues related to:

• Housing
• Medical care
• Education and training
• Freedom of information
• Handling complaints
• Access and transport
• Discrimination