Posted: March 6th, 2024

Disability advocacy: Ensuring accessibility,

Disability advocacy: Ensuring accessibility, accommodations, rights and community support for people with disabilities.

Disability advocacy is the process of promoting, protecting and supporting the full and equal human rights of people with disabilities. Disability advocates work on behalf of individuals or groups of people with disabilities to help them speak out and defend their rights and interests. Disability advocacy can take different forms, such as self advocacy, family advocacy, citizen advocacy, individual advocacy, legal advocacy and systemic advocacy.

Self advocacy is when a person with disability advocates for themselves, with or without the support of others. Self advocates make their own decisions and make sure that others respect their choices. They can also learn how to express themselves and stand up for their rights from disability advocacy agencies or other sources of information.

Family advocacy is when a family member of a person with disability advocates for that person. Family advocates support their family member to help them get what they need to live a full and equal life. Family advocates can also learn how to advocate for their family member from disability advocacy agencies or other sources of information.

Citizen advocacy is when a member of the community offers their time to work with a person with disability to advocate for them. Citizen advocates develop a relationship with the person with disability and support them to have their voice heard. Citizen advocates are matched with the person with disability by a citizen advocacy agency, which also provides them with support and guidance.

Individual advocacy is when a professional advocate supports a person with a particular problem. Individual advocates either support a person one-to-one or support them to advocate for themselves. Individual advocates help someone with an issue they have not been able to solve on their own, such as accessing services, obtaining benefits, resolving complaints or challenging discrimination.

Legal advocacy is when a professional advocate with legal experience helps a person with disability with a legal issue. Legal advocates help the person through the justice system and to understand their legal rights. They can also stand up for a person if they are being discriminated against, abused or neglected.

Systemic advocacy is when an organization or a group of people works to change policies, laws, practices or attitudes that affect people with disabilities as a whole. Systemic advocates aim to create a more inclusive and accessible society for people with disabilities by raising awareness, conducting research, providing education, influencing decision-makers and challenging injustice.

Disability advocacy is important because it ensures that people with disabilities have equal opportunities and access to all aspects of life, such as education, employment, health care, housing, transport, recreation and social participation. Disability advocacy also empowers people with disabilities to have control over their own lives and to contribute to their communities. Disability advocacy also benefits society as a whole by promoting diversity, inclusion and human rights for all.

Some examples of disability advocacy organizations in Africa are:

– Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK), which provides rehabilitation services, employment opportunities and resource centers for people with physical disabilities in Kenya.
– Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA), which supports disability advocacy agencies across Australia and provides information on how to advocate for people with disabilities.
– African Association of Disability and Self Advocacy Organizations (AADISAO), which advocates for inclusive disability policies, conducts extensive research, interdisciplinary training and protects the rights of people with disabilities in Africa.

References:

: https://www.apdk.org/
: https://www.dana.org.au/how-to-advocate/
: https://www.aadisao.org/

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