My Life, My Way: Speaking Up About Choice and Control

May 13, 2024 | by sau1admin

At SAU1, you will hear a lot that self advocates need to have choice and control over what happens in their life. Choice and control are just two of the 15 core values that need to be respected for people with disabilities to live their life, their way.

In the words of self advocates, choice means, "I decide everything about my life. The people around me help me learn about opportunities and together we make them happen.” For self advocates, it is important that they are a part of the decision making process, and have full control over making the choices that work best for them. It is important that things are not decided without self advocate input. Speaking up is not just something we talk about, it is something we do. People who experience disability should have choice over what happens in their own life with support to make the right choice for them.

Making these types of choices is an important step towards having control of their own life. For self advocates, control means “I have control over all areas of my life. The people around me know it’s my decision and work with me to achieve greater control.” By making their own choices, self advocates are able to practice control over their own life.

These two core values are an important part of learning how to speak up for yourself. Knowing these values gives you the power to speak up for what you want and need in your own life. We have a motto here at SAU1, “Knowledge is Power! Use it!” You can use your new knowledge about choice and control by speaking up for yourself and others in the community. You can do this by joining us at one of our in person, free self advocacy events by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities. Use your knowledge and power to speak up! Check out the full list of April events. We can't wait to meet you and teach you how to speak up!