Self Advocacy

Self – Advocacy

Self- Advocacy is an opportunity for people with disabilities to unite and make changes to improve their lives.  In 2000, a person receiving services initiated the formation of a self – advocacy group at Rivershore, Inc.  Their Mission Statement “Express Yourself for Change” declares that collectively and individually people have a voice in facilitating positive change.   Through self-advocacy people are empowered to make their own choices, be more independent, and to speak out and work to change the service system for the better.

We support and further self- advocacy efforts through three key areas; supporting people to advocate in one’s own life, supporting people to advocate through self- advocacy groups, and supporting people to advocate through government and legislative arenas.

We collaborate with the self – advocacy group; valuing their input and participation in agency decision making. Self – advocates participate in the employee interview and hiring process, employee education and training, and are members of various teams and committees including quality teams, Rivershore Board of Directors, and Rivershore Foundation Board. 

Over the years self-advocacy contributions have led to changes within our agency.  Many people now plan and facilitate their service plan meetings. Another is the group developed a formal process for including an individual with disabilities on the Rivershore, Inc. Board of Directors.   

Partnership with self-advocacy has extended with the designation of office space for a Self – Advocacy Center in a prime location of the main office of Rivershore, Inc.  The self – advocates proudly utilize this office with a focus to increase opportunities for people with disabilities.

Rivershore, Inc. and the Road Runners have been recognized an unprecedented four times for self-advocacy support and efforts by the Self- Advocacy Association of New York State; 2008 Self-Advocacy Group of the Year, 2007 Western Region Agency of the Year, 2006 Agency of the Year and Western Region Agency of the Year.