People with Disabilities and the Advocate's Role
People with Disabilities and the Advocate's Role
Alex Monroe
BSHS 441 - Advocacy and Mediation
August 20, 2013
What is Advocacy?
Independence is a powerful and liberating word most people strive to achieve this during the course of his or her lifetime. No one truly wants to rely on another person for aid or support but unfortunately circumstances arise when a person cannot accomplish their objectives on their own. When individuals face difficulties in getting services that they need they will need a person to lobby for those needs. Some people are dependent on others to live and to handle affairs on their behalf due to mental, physical, and chronic medical issues. Situations may vary but the goal is the same these individuals need advocacy. To understand the meaning of advocacy a person needs to understand the concept. According to Barsky (2007), “Advocacy refers to influencing decisions affecting the welfare or interests of another individual or group” (pg.216). Also an individual who supports the interest of a party during negotiation, litigation, or any conflict resolution process is called an advocate (Barsky, 2007).
Problems Faced by People with Disabilities
Problems facing individuals with disabilities range from education, transportation, housing, and employment. Each of these factors require accommodation which means that businesses, schools, employers, and the housing sector must make modifications to their facilities for accessibility. Schools and employers must go further in providing people with disabilities with the tools needed to complete their tasks and have the same advantages as individuals without disabilities. In addition to these factors people with disabilities face discrimination, are ridiculed, and treated as society’s outcasts. To some individuals a disability is viewed as a burden and they feel that disabled people are not productive members of society. People seem to pity disabled people instead of respecting them.
Alex Monroe
BSHS 441 - Advocacy and Mediation
August 20, 2013
What is Advocacy?
Independence is a powerful and liberating word most people strive to achieve this during the course of his or her lifetime. No one truly wants to rely on another person for aid or support but unfortunately circumstances arise when a person cannot accomplish their objectives on their own. When individuals face difficulties in getting services that they need they will need a person to lobby for those needs. Some people are dependent on others to live and to handle affairs on their behalf due to mental, physical, and chronic medical issues. Situations may vary but the goal is the same these individuals need advocacy. To understand the meaning of advocacy a person needs to understand the concept. According to Barsky (2007), “Advocacy refers to influencing decisions affecting the welfare or interests of another individual or group” (pg.216). Also an individual who supports the interest of a party during negotiation, litigation, or any conflict resolution process is called an advocate (Barsky, 2007).
Problems Faced by People with Disabilities
Problems facing individuals with disabilities range from education, transportation, housing, and employment. Each of these factors require accommodation which means that businesses, schools, employers, and the housing sector must make modifications to their facilities for accessibility. Schools and employers must go further in providing people with disabilities with the tools needed to complete their tasks and have the same advantages as individuals without disabilities. In addition to these factors people with disabilities face discrimination, are ridiculed, and treated as society’s outcasts. To some individuals a disability is viewed as a burden and they feel that disabled people are not productive members of society. People seem to pity disabled people instead of respecting them.