1. *
07/16/96
Self-Advocacy Strategies for Increased Participation In Individualized Education Plans
By Tamika Bates *

2. What is the Purpose?
Students must learn how to be a self-advocates in school and the real world; self-determination skills must be practiced on a daily basis to be successful.
11/18/2018

3. What is Self-Advocacy?
Self-advocacy focuses on the ability to stand up for one-self and to help other people with disabilities to stand up for themselves by speaking up, speaking out, and speaking loud. It means having the opportunity to know your rights and responsibilities, to stand up for them, and to make choices about your own life. - Pennell

4. What is Self-Determination?
Self-determination is the ability to identify and achieve goals based on the foundation of knowing and valuing oneself Field, Hoffman, and Posch

5. Why Should Students Participate In His/Her Education Plan?
Educators recommend that students become active in the Individualized Education Process ( IEP).
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that students should communicate their strengths, needs, and future goals to educators and families.
The IEP represents an individual’s education; therefore, the student should be a primary participant in developing and monitoring his/her education program.

6. How Do Students Learn To Be Self-Advocates?
Direct Instruction
Strategic Learning
Probe Questioning
Role play
Practice, Practice, Practice

7. Strategy #1 - IPARS I - inventory your strengths
P - provide your inventory information
A - asks questions
R - respond to questions
S - summarize your IEP goals

8. Strategy #2 - IPLAN
I - inventory: strengths, areas to improve/learn, goals, and choices for learning or accommodations
P - provide your inventory information
L - listen and respond
A - ask questions
N - name your goals

9. Strategy #3 - SHARE S - sit up straight
H - have a pleasant tone of voice
A - activate your thinking
R - relax
E - engage in eye communication

10. What Is The Outcome?
Students will verbalize their strengths and areas for improvement
Students will become more involved in writing their IEP goals
Students will be active participants in IEP conferences
Students become self- advocates at school and in the real world

11. A Life Changing Reward
"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.” Robyn Davidson