2.0 - What is Advocacy
Definitions of Disability Advocacy
There are many definitions of advocacy and much debate exists regarding which one is the most appropriate to use. Having a definition of advocacy is necessary so that we have something to refer to, to check against and to encourage discussion about what we are doing. Action for Advocacy Development uses the following definition, which is based on the work of Dr Wolf Wolfensberger. Advocacy groups in Australia discussed this definition during a National Advocacy Workshop in Sydney in June 1994. Most of these elements were agreed to.
Advocacy is speaking, acting and writing with minimal conflict of interest on behalf of the sincerely perceived interests of a disadvantaged person or group to promote, protect and defend their welfare and justice by:
- being on their side and no-one else's,
- being primarily concerned with their fundamental needs,
- remaining loyal and accountable to them in a way which is emphatic and vigorous and which is, or could be, costly to the advocate or advocacy group.
Functioning by speaking out, acting or writing.
Advocacy is active. It involves doing something. It may be writing letters to politicians, raising issues of concern to organisations or services, being with a person when they are confronted with situations they find difficult, being with a person when they could be taken advantage of or fighting for a person's right to live a more fulfilling life.
Minimal conflict of interest.
This issue lies at the core of advocacy and is one of the hardest, most important issues to come to grips with. In any situation there will be more than one person's or group's interests that will be in conflict or competition with the interest of a person with a disability. When you are in an advocacy role, you need to be clear as to how your interests and needs may be in conflict with the person for whom you are advocating. As an advocate you must identify and attempt to minimise these conflicts of interest or, at least, be prepared to acknowledge your limitations as an advocate.
Sincerely perceived interests.
This issue is one of the most complex and difficult issues for advocates to address. The advocate does not just speak up for what a person may want or what a person may be interested in. Advocates will be faced with making decisions about the life and well-being of a person with a disability and may be the only one in that person's life who has a positive vision for that person's future in the long term. Advocates are sometimes faced with a difficult dilemma when a client's expressed wishes are, in the opinion of the advocate, counterprodcutive, or not in the best interest of the client and in some cases, may place the client at risk.
Promotion of person's welfare, well being and justice.
As an advocate you do this precisely because the well being of, and justice for, disadvantaged, devalued people is often at risk. Things we take for granted are often not available for people with disabilities. Devalued people are not to be treated as sub-human with all the degrading, inhumane treatment that accompanies such notions of devalued people and people with disability in particular.
Vigour of action
Advocacy requires the advocate to:
- demonstrate fervour and depth of feeling in advancing the cause or interest of another,
- take the lead, and to initiate,
- demonstrate a sense of urgency,
- do more than what is done routinely,
- challenge the community.
There are a number of types of advocacy, however for the purpose of this project, individual advocacy only is addressed.
"I don't see advocacy as speaking for other people - it's actually to encourage other people to speak for themselves. How we do it, is through empowering them, to support them. If they don't speak the right language or have the confidence to express themselves, you be their voice but try to speak their words". Mike Clear - Promises Promises 2000
Some definitions of advocacy found on the Web are:
- Active support of an idea or cause etc.; especially the act of pleading or arguing for something
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn - Advocacy is the act of arguing on behalf of a particular issue, idea or personAskOxford.com (Oxford dictionaries) .
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advocacy - The profession of an advocate; the act of arguing in favour of, or supporting something; the practice of supporting someone to make their voice heard (see wikipedia:independent advocacy)
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/advocacy - To encourage or support an activity that helps a consumer, company, or organization to secure health care coverage designed to best meet their unique needs.
www.marylandinsurancezone.com/maryland-insurance-glossary.html - is the act or process of defending or maintaining a cause or proposal. An organization may have advocacy as its mission (or part of its mission) to increase public awareness of a particular issue or set of issues.
www.envision.ca/templates/profile.asp - Is an umbrella term for organized activism or lobbying related to a particular set of issues, in the case of FAS, gender equality.
www.fasngo.org/terms.html - Active support of a cause.
www.painmed.org/pdf/legislative_glossary.doc - Taking an active role in the education and care of an individual or the act or process of supporting a cause or person.
www.sparkle.usu.edu/glossary/index.asp - A process wherein the nurse, knowledgeable of the socio-political context, acts on behalf of the patient or the nursing profession to assure the delivery of quality nursing care and to promote professional standards of practice. ...
web.uccs.edu/bethelstudenthandbook/definition_of_curriculum_terms.htm - Pushing forth a cause or creating a defence to protect the beliefs of self or others.
www.candidates.org/dictionary/candidates_apriori-executivebranch.php - The act of speaking or of disseminating information intended to influence individual behaviour or opinion, corporate conduct or public policy and law. ...
www.vsf-fsbc.ca/eng/about_us/glossary.cfm - This term refers to the role parents or guardians play in developing and monitoring their child's educational program. ...
www.csdb.org/EarlyEducation/resrc_definitions.html - This is when a solicitor or barrister acts on your behalf during court / tribunal proceedings.
www.theclaimsconnection.co.uk/personal-injury-glossary.html - Clear expression of support for the rights of persons with disabilities and their families.
www.upei.ca/~xliu/measurement/glossary.htm - Advocacy involves representing an organization through articulating the mission and supporting and defending the organization’s message. Advocacy also relates to representing and defending the rights of individuals with disabilities.
www.siegelagency.com/Glossary/GlossaryHome.htm - Representing the cause or interest of another, even if that cause or interest does not necessarily coincide with one's own beliefs, opinions, conclusions, or recommendations.
www.lucianoappraisals.com/gpage4.html - To act on behalf of another person, to be their advocate.
npsf.disted.mcw.edu/InfoCenter/Glossary/a.asp
