Self Advocacy

I am a self advocate and I need help!

Self Advocacy is standing up for yourself to get your wants and needs met.

How do I do this?

We offer a self advocacy class through the Arc of Adams County but here are some good tips to get your needs met:

  • Know what you like and don’t like. For example, what is your favorite food? What do you like to do for fun? What is your favorite part of your job?

  • Know what you want and have a plan.

  • Know what you can do to help

  • Know what you need help with

  • Know who to talk to about what you want.
  1. Make good eye contact

  2. Be respectful

  3. Be clear about what you want

  4. Write it down if you need to

  5. Listen

Where do I ask for help?

This question depends on what your needs are and who is in your life to help you. Here are some examples:

Example #1: You live by yourself and need help contacting your landlord to fix something.

  • Do you know the phone number?

  • Do you have a neighbour that you know that can give you the number?

  • Do you know where the rental office is?

Example #2: You would like to get a job but have never worked before and don’t know how to get one.

  • Do you have people in your life that help you with other things?

  • Can you ask them to help?

  • Do you know who the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is? (They help people find jobs.) There number is 303-866-2111.

  • Do you know who North Metro Community Services is? (They are the first contact for services in Adams County.) They can be reached at 303-457-1001.

Example #3: I know what I want and I feel like no one is listening to me.

  • Have you been clear about what you want?

  • Who have you talked to?

  • Everyone has a boss. Have you talked to their boss?

  • Have you called the Arc of Adams County at 303-428-0310?

I would like to learn more about standing up for myself!

Call the Arc of Adams County to talk about getting into a class or some tips on resolving your problem.