knr 273 client advocacy professional advancement
TRANSCRIPT
KNR 273
Client AdvocacyProfessional Advancement
Advocacy Defined“Speaking or acting for or on behalf of a
person, an idea, a principle, a cause or a policy.”
o Locke, Myers, Herr, 2001, p. 92
“Advocacy is making a reasoned argument to obtain something from those in power.”
o Austin, 200, p. 392
“Speaking, writing, and/or acting on behalf of sincerely perceived interests of a disadvantaged person or group, without conflict of interest.”
o Anderson & Heyne, 2012, p. 392
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 ideaClear and accurate information
Willingness to go public, to take a standMay take courage
o Anderson & Heyne, 2012
Action Model for AdvocacyIdentification of the problem or needsConduct advocacy homeworkSelect advocacy target(s)
Who has the power to correct the problem?Choosing tactics to employ
Lobbying legislatorsTestifying at a hearingHolding a news conferenceEtc.
o Austin, 2009
Client AdvocacyWhat is client advocacy?What is self advocacy?Why is it important to teach clients to be self
advocates?
5 point activity: Self advocacy websitesShow where to findID siteWrite a summary of each siteWrite how you might use this information with
clients
Self AdvocacyIs 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.
o Anderson & Heyne, 2012
How can we build self advocacy?Knowledge of self
Know what want, know about own disabilityKnowledge of rights
ADA, IDEA, steps to redress violations, knowledge of resources
CommunicationHow to communicate in meetings & groups,
negotiation, persuasion, compromise, assertivenessLeadership
Learning how to function in a group, performing duties as part of a team, political lobbying skills
o Anderson & Heyne, 2012
How can we build self advocacy?Invite PWD to serve on Board of Directors,
advisory council, resident activity councilProvide leadership opportunities in programsInvolve participants in hiring & evaluating staffInvite local self-advocacy groups to speakInclude modules on self advocacy in leisure
education sessionsHelp families learn how to support self
advocacyo Anderson & Heyne, 2012
Professional AdvancementWhy do we have to advocate for our
profession?
How do we do this?
Professional OrganizationsATRA
Midyear meeting on the HillMedicare project/ACA insurance exchangesMarketing tool kitNational Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational
Therapy Month (Feb.)NCTRC
Why Hire a CTRSWhy Become a CTRSProfiles in Recreation Therapy
IPRAPostersDVDs
What we can do….Introduce yourself and say you are a CTRSWear your CTRS pin on your name badgePut your CTRS certificate in a frame and hang it in
your officeHost a TR month event at your facilitySend your boss a letter for TR monthHave a TR connected voice mail messageWrite a news release about your programCreate a flyer, brochure or web page about your
program/agencyWrite an article in the agency newsletterMake table tentsHave a rehearsed “elevator speech”
Avoid comparing yourself to OT, PT
What we can do….Speak at a local Lions or Rotary ClubContact your PTA to present on career dayHave your mayor proclaim “National
Therapeutic Recreation Month”Organize a disability awareness eventDistribute handouts with leisure education
activities to co-workersWrite letters to the editorTR t-shirts, pins, balloonsOthers…… Be Creative!!!!
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 resultsRespond to professional advocacy effortsWrite letters to legislatorsCall representativesSpeak up in meetings