Self-Advocacy and Disclosure
Courtney Joly-Lowdermilk, M.S.Ed.
Learning Disability Specialist
Lisa Toft, M.Ed., C.A.G.S.
Learning Disability Specialist
AHEAD
July 16, 2011
Peanut Butter & Jelly: Find Your Match
● Introduction Disclosures
o Circulate the room to find your match (i.e. peanut butter
and jelly)
o Share with each person you meet:




Your name
The organization you represent
Your vacation plans for the summer
The title on your card
What Is Self-Advocacy?
Knowing your
skills & your
strengths
Making
informed
decisions
Setting &
achieving
goals
Taking timely
action on your
own behalf
Problemsolving
Seeking out
resources &
supports
Acting within
your rights &
responsibilities
Knowing your
limitations & the
impact(s) of your
disability
Accepting
positive &
negative
consequences
Self-Advocacy in College
● With the disability service office
o Disclosing your disability
o Accessing accommodations
o Seeking additional disability-related support
● In the classroom
o Discussing questions about content
o Negotiating extensions on assignments
● With academic advisors
o Planning a course of study and semester schedules
o Changing majors and transfer internally
● In your residential hall
o Negotiating schedules, quiet time, visitors
● In student groups
o Pursuing areas of interest or goals
Self-Advocacy Assessment
● Yes to 10-12: Congratulations! You’re already a great
self-advocate. Keep up those skills!
● Yes to 6-9: Excellent! You possess some good skills.
You’re off to a strong start – keep building on those skills
you already possess!
● Yes to 0-5: Good news! You’re at the beginning of a
very important journey!
Note: Use the Resources on the backside of the Self-Advocacy Assessment, if you’re not sure how to continue
building your self-advocacy skills.
Self-Advocacy and Disclosure
Know Yourself,
Know Your
Disability
Know Your
Need
Disclosure
ACCESS
Know Your
Rights and
Responsibilities
What Is Disclosure?
● Communicating only relevant details about your disability
as they apply to the situation
● Discussing how your disability impacts your performance
● Requesting accommodations and supports
What You Need To Know About Disclosure
√ It is required in order to receive accommodations
√ The right to disclose is yours
√ Good self-awareness makes for easier disclosure
√ Preparing a script is an effective means of disclosing
√ It is realistic to prepare for various responses
Before You Build Your Disclosure Script
1. Know Yourself, Know Your Disability
2. Know Your Need
3. Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
Know Yourself, Know Your Disability
Take The Time To:
● Identify your strengths and limitations
● Discover your styles and preferences for learning and
communicating
● Understand the impact of your disability
● Recognize the supports and accommodations that have
been useful for you in the past
Know Your Need
It’s Important For You To:
● Know your approved accommodations
● Understand the responsibilities/processes/deadlines
involved in accessing your accommodations
● Assess, accommodations in classes, consider class
schedule, plan of attack, evaluate the reality of the
demands of your schedule/course load in light of your
accommodations, strengths/limitations
Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
Rights
Responsibilities
● Choosing to disclose
● Driving the process
● Deciding to whom you will
disclose
● Disclosing in a timely manner
● Determining the scope of
information you share
● Communicate with your
professors throughout the term
● Involve your disability service
office if you experience
difficulty accessing your
accommodations
Three Steps To The Disclosure Process
1. Compose
2. Rehearse Prose
3. Disclose
Write Your Script
Include:
●
●
●
●
Introduction
Strength
Limitation
Approved accommodations
Consider:
● Making note cards
● Writing script with a friend, family member or disability
service provider
Practice Your Script
Consider:
● Practicing with a friend, family member or disability
service provider
When You Practice Remember To:
● Communicate clearly and politely
● Include the responsibilities owned by you, your professors,
and the disability service office
● Thank your professors for their time
It’s Time To Disclose
Remember To:
● Follow your script
● Disclose only relevant information
● Encourage your professors to contact the disability service
office for additional support
Consider:
● Scheduling appointments with your professors to ensure
private settings
Disclosure Examples
● Scenario 1: Agreeable Professor
● Scenario 2: Resistant Professor
● Scenario 3: Overly-Agreeable Professor
DRAFT YOUR OWN
DISCLOSURE SCRIPT
Now What Do You Know?
Disclosure & Self-Advocacy Quiz Game
QUESTIONS
&
DISCUSSION