Advocacy and self-advocacy

The two concepts of advocacy and self-advocacy have been associated with welfare states, civil activism, empowerment, rights-based grassroots groups and professions, which advance social justice for insular minorities.

How do the two concepts relate, are they mutually exclusive or is one subsumed. This article discusses the origins, distinctions, benefits and contemporary use of both concepts in relation to people with disabilities. The two concepts are explored with a view to understand prevailing challenges in society pertaining to people with disabilities, and as a measure of progress.   

Historically, the establishment viewed advocacy and self-advocacy groups suspiciously.  They were often accused of sowing discord, inciting citizens and posing security threats in that they challenge the status quo. A good example is the early Pan-Africanist groups and individuals who mooted ideas of independence of African states post the 1884 Berlin Conference. They were viewed with great discontent and often labelled as radicals, terrorists, and outcasts and constantly put under surveillance by colonialists because they advocated for change.

Editor's Comment
Is our screening adequate?

Sadly, we live in a society that seems to be losing its moral fibre by the day.When parents take their children to a boarding school they do so to give them a brighter future, not to have some dirty paedophilic predator to prey on them. Sex orientation is a touchy subject and for young minds to be sexualised at a young age by a grown man perpetrating harm on them by cutting through their sphincter muscle to penetrate their anal canal. Anyone can...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up