Advocacy for people with disabilities is widely practised, but what about self-advocacy? How often do parents or carers speak 'for' you and prevent you being heard? Do you know your rights within advocacy law? The four books in the Speaking Up set were conceived and written specifically to promote self-advocacy to disabled individuals who want to learn how to speak up for themselves. All four books are illustrated throughout with colour drawings and case studies showing the positive results of self-advocacy on the individuals themselves, as well as on their families and carers.This empowering training package encourages an equal partnership between the advocate and the user where the shared goal is to develop the life skills of the individual with learning difficulties. It is accessible to people with a wide range of literacy needs, including those with high learning needs and is designed for use in formal and informal learning situations, either unsupported or with a facilitator present.Introducing Advocacy: The First Book of Speaking Up introduces the concept of advocacy and explores appropriate advocacy models, for example peer group supportive models, and examines different forms of advocacy such as campaign advocacy, crisis or intervention advocacy, volunteer advocacy and health complaints advocacy.Rules and Standards: The Second Book of Speaking Up explores the idea of rules and standards for advocacy and looks at the advocacy charter. It covers issues such as whether an advocate should share a confidence if they are worried that their advocacy partner might self-harm.Listen Up! Speak Up!: The Third Book of Speaking Up uses examples of advocacy to explore how to be a good advocate, emphasising the importance of listening to and working with an advocacy partner and explaining how to prepare for and behave in meetings.Advocacy in Action: The Fourth Book of Speaking Up looks at problems that can occur in an advocacy partnership, such as dependency on the advocate and conflict between partners. It also discusses advocacy and the law.
