Self-advocacy and self-determination are important skills for success. Self-advocacy involves identifying one's needs and advocating for oneself to meet those needs. Self-determination involves setting goals and taking actions to achieve them based on self-knowledge. The document outlines Mike's model of self-advocacy which involves identification of needs, self-awareness, advocacy training, practicing advocacy, and becoming an advocate for others. It also discusses applying self-determination skills like self-knowledge, problem solving, and goal setting to be successful in school, work and life.

1. Self-Advocacy &
Self-Determination
Mike Walker
UNIV1011: University Success
November 22, 2007
Edited 2012 Lisa Hebgen

2. What is Self-Advocacy?
► advocate (verb) - to speak or write in favour
of; defend; recommend
► advocate (noun) - one who pleads the
cause of another; an intercessor
(Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary)
► Therefore, a self-advocate is one who
pleads one’s own cause.

3. What is Self-Advocacy?
Identifying what you need and being
able to act to get/achieve it.
► Self-advocacy may be rooted in need or in
‘rights’ and may be expressed by any of the
advocacy movements.
► Based on the concept of fairness not want.
► Although self-advocacy is a personal quest,
the practice of self-advocacy may result in
becoming an advocate for others.

4. Concept of Need:
Maslow’s Hierarchy
► Maslow identified and classified the nature of
human need in his hierarchy.

5. For what Need might you
self-advocate?
► At school ► At work/in life
 extra help from a  help around the house
professor  respect from family or
 a concession from a colleagues
roommate (quiet, study  a job/position
time, etc.)  a raise or benefit
 a study partner  equal treatment
 a concession due to an  freedom from
illness or unexpected harassment or
event discrimination

6. Traits of a Self-Advocate
► an awareness of one’s strengths and
limitations
► a sense of purpose/sense of fairness or
justice/strength of conviction
► an ability seek out information, resources or
resource persons
► an ability to problem solve
► an ability to argue one’s case clearly with
controlled emotion

7. Mike’s Self-Advocacy Model

8. Steps in Mike’s Model of Self-
Advocacy
► Identification
 realization of a need for help/action
► Meta-awareness
 evaluation of personal skills/abilities
► Advocacy training
 help in areas of personal ‘non-strength’
► Practicing self-advocacy
 applying these skills in your life
► Becoming an advocate
 using these skills to help others

9. Self-Determination
Based on a presentation by
Bigaj, Kosko & Smith, 2000

10. Self-Determination
Knowing what you want and being
able to get it
desire
► Self-determination may be rooted in
and may be expressed by many of the
success/motivational movements.
► Based on the concepts of goal setting,
planning, and acquiring skills/knowledge.

11. A Definition of
Self-Determination
► The ability to define and achieve goals
based on a foundation of knowing and
valuing oneself.
► Examples:
 learning self-confidence
 defending your position
 problem-solving
 making tough decisions
 being a causal agent
in one’s life

12. Why practice
Self-Determination?
Successful, self-determined persons
 understand and accept their limitations
 are proactive and reduce stress
 are persistent and focused on goals
 use support systems
 capitalize on strengths
 find creative ways to compensate and
problem solve

13. Applying Self-Determination to get
what you Want
► At school ► At work/In life
 goal setting  goal setting
 using school  life-long education
resources/persons  career planning
 planning graduation  financial planning
(academic advisor) using community/
 community
 planning for a human resources
career/post-graduate  planning for family,
work home, retirement
 identifying and  planning for travel,
developing desired quality time, etc.
skills

14. Self-Determination Skills:
► Self knowledge ► Independence
► Choice making ► Risk-taking and safety
► Problem solving ► Self-regulation
► Reflection (self-observation
► Decision making & evaluation)
► Self-advocacy or ► Negotiation and
leadership interpersonal
► Goal setting and communication
attainment

15. Taking Risks.
I have missed over 9,000 shots in my career.
I have lost almost 300 games.
26 times I have been trusted to take the game
winning shot and missed.
I have failed over and over again in my life, and that
is why I succeed.
Michael Jordan

16. Model of Self-Determination
A F r a m e w o r k f o r S e lf - D e t e r m in a t io n
K n o w & V a lu e Y o u r s e lf
P la n
A ct
E x p e r ie n c e a n d L e a r n

17. Factors influencing adult success…
► Setting goals & planning
► Understanding self
► Courage & perseverance
► Control & proactivity
► Emotional coping strategies
► Self-advocacy
► Support systems

18. Acronym spells…
► S etting goals & planning
► U nderstanding self
► C ourage & perseverance
► C ontrol & proactivity
► E motional coping strategies
► S elf-advocacy
► S upport systems

19. Research Summary states…
► “These factors have a greater influence
on adult success and happiness than
gender, socioeconomic status,
ethnicity, academic skill or IQ.”
(Raskind et al, 1999)