1. KNR 273 Client Advocacy Professional Advancement

2. Advocacy Defined “Speaking or acting for or on behalf of a person, an idea, a principle, a cause or a policy.” oLocke, Myers, Herr, 2001, p. 92 “Advocacy is making a reasoned argument to obtain something from those in power.” oAustin, 200, p. 392 “Speaking, writing, and/or acting on behalf of sincerely perceived interests of a disadvantaged person or group, without conflict of interest.” oAnderson & Heyne, 2012, p. 392

3. 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 idea Clear and accurate information Willingness to go public, to take a stand May take courage oAnderson & Heyne, 2012

4. Action Model for Advocacy Identification of the problem or needs Conduct advocacy homework Select advocacy target(s) Who has the power to correct the problem? Choosing tactics to employ Lobbying legislators Testifying at a hearing Holding a news conference Etc. oAustin, 2009

5. Client Advocacy What is client advocacy? What is self advocacy? Why is it important to teach clients to be self advocates? 5 point activity: Self advocacy websites Show where to find ID site Write a summary of each site Write how you might use this information with clients

6. Self Advocacy Is 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. oAnderson & Heyne, 2012

7. How can we build self advocacy? Knowledge of self Know what want, know about own disability Knowledge of rights ADA, IDEA, steps to redress violations, knowledge of resources Communication How to communicate in meetings & groups, negotiation, persuasion, compromise, assertiveness Leadership Learning how to function in a group, performing duties as part of a team, political lobbying skills oAnderson & Heyne, 2012

8. How can we build self advocacy? Invite PWD to serve on Board of Directors, advisory council, resident activity council Provide leadership opportunities in programs Involve participants in hiring & evaluating staff Invite local self-advocacy groups to speak Include modules on self advocacy in leisure education sessions Help families learn how to support self advocacy oAnderson & Heyne, 2012

9. Professional Advancement Why do we have to advocate for our profession? How do we do this?

10. Professional Organizations ATRA Midyear meeting on the Hill Medicare project/ACA insurance exchanges Marketing tool kit National Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy Month (Feb.) NCTRC Why Hire a CTRS Why Become a CTRS Profiles in Recreation Therapy IPRA Posters DVDs

11. What we can do…. Introduce yourself and say you are a CTRS Wear your CTRS pin on your name badge Put your CTRS certificate in a frame and hang it in your office Host a TR month event at your facility Send your boss a letter for TR month Have a TR connected voice mail message Write a news release about your program Create a flyer, brochure or web page about your program/agency Write an article in the agency newsletter Make table tents Have a rehearsed “elevator speech” Avoid comparing yourself to OT, PT

12. What we can do…. Speak at a local Lions or Rotary Club Contact your PTA to present on career day Have your mayor proclaim “National Therapeutic Recreation Month” Organize a disability awareness event Distribute handouts with leisure education activities to co- workers Write letters to the editor TR t-shirts, pins, balloons Others…… Be Creative!!!!

13. 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 results Respond to professional advocacy efforts Write letters to legislators Call representatives Speak up in meetings