Presented by: Jump Start Self-Advocacy

Annie Sims Gary Rubin Myrta Rosa

 Consulting company created by CAU members in  We strive to keep self-advocates, service providers, and the community at large well versed in the needs, desires and civil rights of people with disabilities.  We offer educational workshops for staff, community organizations, and other advocates.  These services are unique as they come from the perspective of individuals receiving services  We advocate for and assist members to become included in their community

Community 1. a unified body of individuals 2. society at large 3. joint ownership or participation Inclusion 1. the act of including

- The institutional experience - When people do not take the time to know the real me - When people are judgmental - When people refuse to change - When we are being labeled

“Labels” not to use - Retarded - Deaf - Handicapped - Disabled Instead of disability, please use the term “difference ability”

 I am not a client, patient, or consumer.  I am a member ◦ Someone or something that belongs to or is a part of a group ◦ One of the individuals composing a group

 This may be your job, but it’s my life. ◦ Knock before entering ◦ Treat me with respect ◦ Respect my personal space ◦ Know your own “triggers” ◦ Do not bring your personal problems to work ◦ Respect my living space ◦ Be open minded  You may actually learn something new

Are direct support professionals similar to teachers and coaches?

 Let me pick my own goals.  Don’t give me help unless I ask for it.  Look me in the eyes when speaking to me.  Let me choose where I want to go and help me find alternative modes of transportation.  Get to know my abilities and my interests.  My interests may change, so check-in with me to determine my current and changing interests.

 We need you to be honest.  We need you to listen and provide support when needed.  We need you to identify challenges to community integration.  The world is our classroom for a full life just as it is for you.  We need you not to be afraid to let us live our own lives.  Know when you have to get out of the way.

 Don’t speak for me when we go out.  Encourage people to speak directly to me.  Help me prepare for meetings and appointments.  Help me find opportunities to be part of my community.

 In order to feel included in the community: ◦ I need to be able to go on every day errands. ◦ I need to get to and from those places. ◦ I need to be involved in things that interest me. ◦ I need to build relationships with people  It may be faster for you to do the food shopping without me, but I need to be able to do this errand, even if it is with your help.

 I can find work opportunities if I can and want to work.  I can participate in local volunteer efforts.  I can go to movies.  I can go to restaurants.  I can attend church.  I can go shopping.  I can go to the bank.  I can participate in campaigns and vote.  I can find recreation programs to help me stay healthy.

Traveling by wheelchair, being lifted to get out of bed, breathing with an oxygen tank, ambulating with a walker or cane, needing enlarged print to read; I am frustrated with life. Always being the one who is different, facing negative attitudes towards my disabilities, people look at me differently from everyone else. They focus on what I can’t do instead of what I can. I am still a person like you, no matter what you see on the outside. Choices are limited; they expect me to be happy with less than “normal” people. I feel stuck and cheated. Friendships change when they realize you are different and acceptance shifts to discrimination, intolerance and exclusion. Don’t treat me different-I AM AN ADULT, NOT A CHILD!!!!!!!!! Don’t disrespect me; care for me as your friend, child, sibling or family member.

Everything is a double standard. I work twice as hard to prove myself to others every day. But somehow they don’t get it. But now I find friends like me and together we advocate for change. Give us the chance to show what we are capable of doing-SEE MY TALENTS! Get to know me before judging me. I can do a lot of things you don’t know about; you’d be surprised what I CAN do. Treat me with equality or don’t bother me and waste my time. Get the courage to shine. Don’t let the negative or ignorant thoughts of others bring you down. Pursue your dreams like a boat going towards a light house beacon. Never stop believing that you can achieve great things. Always push towards excellence. Build relationships that are meaningful, get people to notice you for who you are and make a difference in the world. Change peoples’ attitudes and get out in the community. Don’t be scared. Strut your stuff. Change the world by educating one person at a time. We may have to take the harder road but it will still get us to where we want to go. We are making progress; maybe not as fast as we would like, but we’ve only just begun!

Jump Start Self Advocacy Contact: Annie Sims 80 West Grand Street Elizabeth, NJ ext. 628