A disability advocate can mean several different things, depending on what type of advocacy you’re referring to. There are two main types of disability advocacy: legal and social. Legal disability advocates are lawyers, or other trained professionals, who litigate for disability rights on behalf of a client, government or organization. Social advocates are people who work toward furthering disability rights through social change and public policy.
Within these two categories, you’ll likely encounter specific types of advocacy and advocates.
Citizen advocacy – This is the most common advocacy that you’ve likely encountered before. Citizen advocates are community volunteers who advocate for a disability-related cause; this often involves a specific person with a disability or particular disability itself. The common goals include community awareness, fundraising and long-term care of an individual who can’t support themselves.
Group advocacy – Group advocacy is typically composed of various different types of advocates and involves advocating for a group of people with the same disability or disability rights goal.
Individual advocacy – An individual-advocate is somebody who advocates for a person with disabilities through a one-on-one approach. Typically, individual advocates are there to prevent or address any unfair treatment or abuse a person with disabilities may face. Social security advocates also fall under this category.
Legal advocacy – Legal advocacy is what it sounds like; a lawyer provides legal representation on behalf of their client and gives advice to people with disabilities about discrimination and human rights issues. The lawyer may also be involved with legislative litigation, where they pursue positive changes to the judicial system.
Self-advocacy – This happens when someone with a disability represents themselves to achieve legal, social or public policy goals. If you’re interested in self-advocacy, Arizona Family Solutions LLc offers free self advocacy advice, Instructional Coaching and presentations that cover disability-related legal topics and disability related services and supports.
Systemic advocacy – The disability rights movement falls under systemic advocacy. Systemic advocacy involves working toward long-term social changes that validate the collective rights and interests of people with disabilities. The common targets for this advocacy are legislation, policies and practices
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