What is Citizen Advocacy?

Citizen Advocacy is a movement which seeks to promote, protect and defend the welfare and interest of people who have disabilities. This model of advocacy was developed by Dr. Wolf Wolfensberger, and is based on the following definition of advocacy: Advocacy is speaking, acting or writing, with minimum conflict of interest, on behalf of the interests of a disadvantaged person or group, to promote, protect and defend their welfare and justice by being on their side and no-one else's, by being primarily concerned with their fundamental needs and remaining loyal and accountable to them in a way which is emphatic and vigorous. Citizen Advocacy entails the establishment and support of one-to-one relationships between a person with a disability, who is vulnerable and has unmet needs in one or more important areas of their lives, and a citizen who is resourceful and principled, who is free from conflict of interest, and who makes a personal commitment to provide appropriate support to the person with a disability. This support may take many forms, from emotional and material support through to spokespersonship.

Citizen Advocacy has been described as:

Ordinary People, Doing Ordinary Things, of Extra-Ordinary Importance!

What is a Citizen Advocate?

People with disability experience disadvantage and vulnerability in their lives and this creates a need to have someone who:

• Is prepared to make a personal commitment to stand beside the person;
• is prepared to take action when action is needed;
• will ensure that the person’s interests are understood and effectively responded to; and
• is prepared to take the person’s life seriously.

People with a disability who are experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability in their lives need allies, and citizen advocacy is one of the most significant ways that such alliances can be established and supported.

A citizen advocate is a person who:

• Believe in the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect
• Don’t look for material rewards for helping someone
• Are genuine about making a serious commitment to a person with a disability who is vulnerable and/or has unmet needs
• Have high expectations about what’s possible and about what people with disabilities can achieve with the right support, and
• Demonstrate to the community by their actions and attitudes, that people with disability have the same needs and interests as any other member of society

Citizen advocates come from all walks of life, are all ages and each brings with them a very individual range of life experiences and expertise.

Many citizen advocates have had no significant involvement with people with disabilities before. Any have found that their long term commitment to a person with disabilities can be a powerful force in that person’s life.

Citizen advocacy relationships can profoundly and positively affect the way that a person with disabilities is valued and respected in their community.