Community Through Self-Advocacy: Empowering Voices, Building Leaders
Every voice matters.
At Opportunities, Inc., we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, make choices, and advocate for what matters most to them.
That belief is at the heart of our Self-Advocacy Groups. These groups give people with intellectual and developmental disabilities a place to build confidence and develop leadership skills. They also help participants learn how to use their voices to create positive change.
Each meeting brings people together to learn and share personal experiences. Participants also discuss topics that affect their daily lives.
For example, they learn about making independent decisions and building healthy relationships. They also explore personal rights and set meaningful goals. As a result, participants gain skills they can use at home, at work, and in their communities.
Self-advocacy means more than speaking up. It also means having the confidence to make choices and pursue personal goals. Through these conversations, participants learn that their voices matter. They also discover that they can make a difference in their own lives and communities.
Advocacy Beyond Our Walls
Our Self-Advocacy Groups provide a strong foundation. However, advocacy continues beyond each meeting.
We want participants to connect with the broader disability community. For example, they may attend local advocacy events or meet community leaders. They can also learn more about issues that affect people with disabilities.
These experiences can build confidence and improve public speaking skills. They can also help participants develop new relationships.
Community advocacy can take many forms. Participants may attend a county commission meeting or join a community listening session. They may also share their personal stories with elected officials.
Through these opportunities, people can take an active role in shaping more inclusive communities.
Looking Ahead
Advocacy is a journey, and every conversation helps build confidence for the next one.
Members of our Self-Advocacy Groups continue to inspire one another through leadership and a willingness to speak up. We are proud to support their growth.
As we create more opportunities for community engagement, we look forward to seeing more participants share their stories. We also hope to see them advocate for change and take active roles in their communities.
When every voice is heard, everyone benefits.
Supporting Self-Advocacy at Opportunities, Inc.
The launch of Opportunities, Inc.'s Self-Advocacy Groups was made possible through grant funding awarded to Opportunities, Inc. through the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.
We are grateful for this support. It allows us to create more spaces for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to strengthen their voices. Participants can also build leadership skills and become more active advocates in their communities.
Learn more about the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council at https://www.md-council.org/
Funding Acknowledgment
This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,262,422 with partial funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.