Supporting Self-Advocacy For Someone With IDD

Jackson MS

11 March, 2021

1:58 PM

Description

By Communicare  Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) struggle with disorders or deficits that limit their intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. These intellectual, emotional and sometimes physical development limitations may lead to problems with reasoning, learning and developing everyday social skills. Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism are just a few examples of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Because of these conditions, those with IDD are often believed to be incapable of expressing themselves logically. The result of these presumptions and discrimination is the silencing of their voices. This has led to the limitation of their community participation and struggles to exercise their fair treatment rights in society. The Importance of Self-Advocacy Movement for People with IDD IDD takes many forms. Placing all those with an intellectual and developmental disability into one box and denying them fundamental human rights is discrimination, an act that is punishable by law. By supporting the self-advocacy movement for those with IDD, we support progressive programs and policies that teach the critical decision-making skills and leadership qualities they need and deserve to protect their civil rights. Self-advocates and those that support them are critical in improving the rights of those with IDD. Through self-advocacy and increased public awareness, we hope to see increased work and learning opportunities, more support programs, improved access to supportive technology, better housing options and overall healthcare funding. Supporting Programs That Improve Communication Someone with IDD may feel isolated when society gives up trying to communicate with them when they can’t express themselves in the traditional verbal sense. The result of this segregation or exclusion can often lead to aggression or resignation. And this defiance and indifference have too often been misinterpreted as an inability to understand or grasp simple concepts. And once an individual has been classified as such, it’s rare that someone will take a closer look to evaluate why there’s a lack of effort to communicate. However, spoken words are not the only way we can connect. Messages can be conveyed through writing, drawing, sign language, behavior, gestures and facial expressions—even assistive technologies. When we as a community support programs that teach those with IDD to express themselves, we build the foundation for decision-making and encourage their participation. These programs also show society that everyone has a voice, whether expressed nonverbally through pictures or assisted by a voice output device. And through improved communications, people with IDD can convey their intentions and, more importantly, act on them. Some of these goals are often things those without disabilities take for granted, such as the ability to vote, develop long-term plans, share their stories, participate in their communities, engage in social relationships and become a valued member of the workforce. It also empowers them to communicate the types of support they need to improve their chances of getting hired and earn for themselves, such as courses or internships. The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) has been advocating for IDD rights since 1876. Its mission is to promote progressive policies and professional training that will lead to practices that improve the rights and quality of life for people with IDD.