This document discusses self-advocacy and its importance for people living with HIV/AIDS. It traces the roots of self-advocacy to the civil rights movement for people with disabilities. Self-advocacy refers to people with disabilities taking control of their own lives and medical decisions. The document also discusses self-efficacy, assertiveness, methods of self-advocacy, and examples of HIV/AIDS advocacy organizations in San Francisco like Project Inform and Project Open Hand that provide resources and empower those living with HIV/AIDS. Access to information and social support networks allows greater self-advocacy, assertiveness and efficacy.