Advocacy in Action: The Fourth Book of Speaking Up: A Plain Text Guide to Advocacy

Kate Lyon · John Tufail

Feb 2007 · Jessica Kingsley Publishers

About this ebook

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.

This fourth book in the series 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.

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.

About the author

John Tufail and Kate Lyon are directors of People's Advocacy Network in Wellington, New Zealand. John Tufail has over 30 years' experience working in the disability sector, specialising in high communication needs. Since the 1980s, he has been increasingly involved in developing advocacy services. John has been lead investigator on a number of research projects into advocacy provision, both in the UK and internationally, and was central to the development of the UK's first university advocacy course at the University of East London. Kate Lyon is a self-employed graphic designer and web-page designer and the winner of four industry awards. She runs her own learning and design company, Merlin Design.