KNR 273

Client AdvocacyProfessional Advancement

Advocacy Defined“Speaking or acting for or on behalf of a

person, an idea, a principle, a cause or a policy.”

o Locke, Myers, Herr, 2001, p. 92

“Advocacy is making a reasoned argument to obtain something from those in power.”

o Austin, 200, p. 392

“Speaking, writing, and/or acting on behalf of sincerely perceived interests of a disadvantaged person or group, without conflict of interest.”

o Anderson & Heyne, 2012, p. 392

Advocacy Requires:Passionate desire to see positive change

Rooted in what group/person wants to achieve Not just your personal beliefs

Sound understanding of issue or ideaClear and accurate information

Willingness to go public, to take a standMay take courage

o Anderson & Heyne, 2012

Action Model for AdvocacyIdentification of the problem or needsConduct advocacy homeworkSelect advocacy target(s)

Who has the power to correct the problem?Choosing tactics to employ

Lobbying legislatorsTestifying at a hearingHolding a news conferenceEtc.

o Austin, 2009

Client AdvocacyWhat is client advocacy?What is self advocacy?Why is it important to teach clients to be self

advocates?

5 point activity: Self advocacy websitesShow where to findID siteWrite a summary of each siteWrite how you might use this information with

clients

Self AdvocacyIs when you speak up for yourself and work

with others to make change happen.

Is a civil rights movement to empower people with disabilities to speak for themselves and stand up for their rights and needs.

o Anderson & Heyne, 2012

How can we build self advocacy?Knowledge of self

Know what want, know about own disabilityKnowledge of rights

ADA, IDEA, steps to redress violations, knowledge of resources

CommunicationHow to communicate in meetings & groups,

negotiation, persuasion, compromise, assertivenessLeadership

Learning how to function in a group, performing duties as part of a team, political lobbying skills

o Anderson & Heyne, 2012

How can we build self advocacy?Invite PWD to serve on Board of Directors,

advisory council, resident activity councilProvide leadership opportunities in programsInvolve participants in hiring & evaluating staffInvite local self-advocacy groups to speakInclude modules on self advocacy in leisure

education sessionsHelp families learn how to support self

advocacyo Anderson & Heyne, 2012

Professional AdvancementWhy do we have to advocate for our

profession?

How do we do this?

Professional OrganizationsATRA

Midyear meeting on the HillMedicare project/ACA insurance exchangesMarketing tool kitNational Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational

Therapy Month (Feb.)NCTRC

Why Hire a CTRSWhy Become a CTRSProfiles in Recreation Therapy

IPRAPostersDVDs

What we can do….Introduce yourself and say you are a CTRSWear your CTRS pin on your name badgePut your CTRS certificate in a frame and hang it in

your officeHost a TR month event at your facilitySend your boss a letter for TR monthHave a TR connected voice mail messageWrite a news release about your programCreate a flyer, brochure or web page about your

program/agencyWrite an article in the agency newsletterMake table tentsHave a rehearsed “elevator speech”

Avoid comparing yourself to OT, PT

What we can do….Speak at a local Lions or Rotary ClubContact your PTA to present on career dayHave your mayor proclaim “National

Therapeutic Recreation Month”Organize a disability awareness eventDistribute handouts with leisure education

activities to co-workersWrite letters to the editorTR t-shirts, pins, balloonsOthers…… Be Creative!!!!

What we can do….Keep bosses and high-level supervisors

aware of what you are doing ---- share success stories

Network with other departments in your own agency

Know EBP and share resultsRespond to professional advocacy effortsWrite letters to legislatorsCall representativesSpeak up in meetings