New Horizons Un-Limited Inc. (NHU) is a non-profit organization based in Milwaukee with a mission to make information and life experiences accessible to people with life-long disabilities, their families and caregivers. To learn more about our mission and activities, please visit the New Horizons Un-Limited website at www.new-horizons.org or e-mail horizons@new-horizons.org.
Self-advocacy: It starts with mutual respect
In the almost 20 years since New Horizons Un-Limited was founded, we have seen immense improvement in person-centered planning and community-based care. More and more citizens with disabilities live in their own homes and apartments, go to college, hold jobs, volunteer in the community, and participate in social and recreational activities. It’s just another fold in the vast and colorful fabric of society. This progress is largely thanks to people speaking up and demanding a better quality of life for themselves.
It starts with the individual and self-advocacy.
So, what does self-advocacy mean to you? Do you consider yourself an effective self-advocate? If not, would you like to be?
Do you want to know the secret to effective advocacy? RESPECT!
Too often, advocates use their anger to fuel their arguments. Accusations are flung about, verbal attacks are made, and in defense, the accused throws up a barrier. Nothing is accomplished and you are left angrier and more defeated than ever.
This is not to say anger cannot be a good spur to action, but it must always be kept in check. Acting out of anger alone will only be a disservice to your cause and could create an enemy out of a potential ally. Without offering respect to another, you cannot expect to receive it in return.
Back to Top
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
– Winston Churchill
