Self-Advocacy

Self-Advocacy is about people with disabilities working together and speaking out about their lives. It’s about standing up and making choices about your own life.

The self-advocacy movement began in Sweden in the 1960’s when a group of people with intellectual disabilities developed a list of requests about how they wanted services delivered and what they wanted from their service providers. Today, the self-advocacy movement is about an international civil rights movement by and for people with disabilities.

The self advocacy movement focuses on the need for people with disabilities to learn decision making skills and for making responsible choices in order to become more independent.

The Voices for PRIDE Self-Advocacy Group is comprised of people supported by the Newberry County DSN Board. There are currently 21 members. The group has an executive committee made up of elected officers, the President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer. Voices for Pride is supported by two advisors, Cindy Farr and Cheryl Nichols.

The group typically meets the first Wednesday of each month at Newberry Industries. The meetings which are conducted by the President include meeting minutes, budget updates, as well as other information and business that involve the group. Trainings are held for the self advocates at the meetings. Each self advocate has an opportunity to voice suggestions and concerns. Goals for Voices for PRIDE include making more money by having higher paying jobs, planting trees, having a canned food drive, giving back to the community and having a breakfast or luncheon for community leaders.

Voices for PRIDE completed one of their goals by participating in the United Way Day of Caring. During this event, two trees were planted in memory of other people with disabilities. Voices for PRIDE has also participated in a community park renovation and made a monetary donation to the American Red Cross for hurricane relief.

Voices for PRIDE members have attended local and state conferences where they met new friends and learn about self-advocacy.

The mission of the Voices for PRIDE Self Advocacy Group is to promote respect, independence, determination and empowerment.