Encourage others to be leaders and become better self-advocates Encourage your peers to speak up Know about the Lanterman Act and basic rights of people with developmental disabilities Have contacts within the community Know about people first groups and/or self advocacy groups Know about Regional Center services Know about the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Be willing to help other people Know what you’re good at and what your strengths are Have confidence in yourself and in your abilities Have good work skills and ethics Be a good listener Have a way to effectively communicate (doesn’t have to necessarily be by ‘talking’) Have the desire to always learn more Know where to go to learn more, or to get help Encourage others to
Be able to understand the ‘other persons’ point of view Know what is expected of you as an advocate. Know what your ‘passions’ are
Have the ability to develop good relationships with many different kinds of people (peers, coworkers, providers, family members of consumers, community leaders, legislators etc.) Be patient, but ‘tough’ with the people you work with when necessary Be patient with other consumers Be a good problem solver Always put what is ‘best’ for the consumer first (what is ‘best’ for the consumer isn’t always what you think they want or need) Not change your position on something you know is right, even when pressured to do so Understand why trust is important in a relationship and try to build trust Be able to work as part of a team Know when you are able to do a task and when you should delegate that task to someone else or get help Be able to know when something is best for the group and when something is best for an individual – and caring equally about both Be able to speak (whether by voice or other means) in front of groups