What Is Advocacy?

Advocacy refers to the act of facilitating for a person with special needs to ensure that their rights are protected. A person is nominated to speak for the person with special needs when they are unable to speak for themselves, whatever the reason. This marks a major advancement in the inclusion of people with special needs into the general community.

Self advocacy is the use of self-help groups made up of people with special needs who want to advocate their rights. Lay advocacy is also known as citizen advocacy the advocates are volunteers who have been trained to fill the role and have strategic support methods in place.  They are also monitored regularly on their competence. Self advocacy is also used in special needs teaching, with pupils encouraged to take control of their own learning and achievements in a self awareness process.

Legal advocacy is when legal staff help others to defend their rights or appeal for them. This can vary from dealing with legislation to appearing and representing a client in court.