Empowering Participants Through Self-Advocacy
Self-advocacy is about empowering individuals to take control of their own journeys. Direct offers “This is My Life,” a Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination training program, for members of DDD. The program design is modular, allowing participants to choose what skills they want to learn and decide how many classes they want to attend. Classes are uniquely tailored to each individual. This empowers participants to take control of their learning to reach their self-identified goals. Participant Demi H. shares her success story:
“This is My Life program changed my life. I had been nervous and excited at the beginning, but Self-Advocacy gave me a space to speak my mind and learn new skills with peers. I had the opportunity to talk through my problem-solving process and learn new communication skills. I also developed the confidence to make informed choices when trying new things. I wanted to set a positive example for others. After all, just because we have a disability does not mean we can’t follow our dreams. As a part of completing Self-Advocacy, I made a S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Timebound) Goal to apply for college for the first time. It was nerve-wracking, but my application was approved, and I start classes this Spring. I hope to continue using what I learned and go even further with my goals!”
* Eligibility: Members of DDD (ALTCS not required) living in Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, or Santa Cruz counties. Contact us to learn more.
