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Self Advocacy Tips for Youth Attending Your Own IEP Meeting.

Taking responsibility, telling others what you want – and what you need – are essential skills for effective self-advocacy. It isn't always easy, but learning how to do so and practicing what you've learned helps you be in charge of your own life. Think of it as moving from the passenger seat into the driver's seat of a car. You might still need help with directions, but have more control because you're the one doing the driving.
It is important to learn how to:
  • Speak up for yourself instead of letting others, such as parents or teachers, do it for you
  • Describe your strengths, disability, needs, and wishes to others
  • Take responsibility for yourself, including for your own health, living situation, and finances.
  • Know your rights
  • Know what resources are available to help you
  • Identify who to ask if you have a question or need help
For students with an IEP (Individualized Education Program), around the age of 16, you will be invited to your own IEP meetings. After you become a legal adult (age 18 in CA), you will be in charge of your own education in most cases. That does not mean that your parents or other adults you trust can't or won't help. But the you will need to invite them or approve their attendance, and make the final decisions.
A great way to learn to how to be a self-advocate is to attend and participate in your IEP meetings. This might seem a little scary but with the support of your team members, and with practice, you can learn how to: 
  • Explain what your access and accommodation needs are to others
  • Set goals for that are important to you for your future learning and employment
  • Share with teachers and other helpers what works and does not work for you 
  • Ask for help and accommodations or say when you don't need help in a respectful, clear and firm ways
  • Lead all or part of the IEP meeting 
Many students may feel anxious or overwhelmed about attending and participating in their own IEP meetings at first. That is normal. Like any other kind of learning, breaking down the process step by step can help.  
Ways to make it easier might include:
  • Writing down your ideas, questions, and concerns ahead of time—a teacher or parent can help
  • Practicing or role-playing what you want to say ahead of time with adults you trust
  • Attend a meeting for a few minutes and share what is working and not working for you 
  • Introducing yourself and tell team members your interests, strengths, challenges and wishes for the future
  • Explaining to the team what your disability is and how it affects you (both positively and negatively)
  • Helping the team develop IEP goals based on what is important to YOU
  • Asking for explanations if you do not understand something 
  • At the end of the meeting, reviewing what the team decided and make sure you understand what the team has agreed to before signing any paperwork.
Even if you choose not to attend the meeting, share your ideas with your parent(s) or special education teacher before the meeting and then review the results afterwards. The meeting is about YOU and in order to increase your chances of success, important decisions about your life and education need to include you. For example, some students create their own video ahead of time, introducing themselves to the team and saying what is working about their school program and what they would like to change. Others students call into the meeting by phone, or use Facetime, Skype, or Zoom, from a place that feels more comfortable like a special education classroom or from home. Others share art, photographs, or stories they are proud of or that help the team understand them as individuals.
Even if you can't attend and participate in your own IEP meeting right now, your team can help write an IEP goal that helps you feel more comfortable attending next time. You might set a goal or timeline for when you'll start attending and taking a more active role. Practice is needed to learn self-advocacy! No one knows everything right away. Many people with disabilities fought hard for rights so that you can live, work and participate in your community in the ways you choose. Learning to advocate for yourself begins with knowing what your rights are, and then finding effective ways to use them to get your voice heard.
A great place to start learning about advocating for yourself is YO! Disabled & Proud which works to connect, organize and educate youth with disabilities! YO! gives youth leadership opportunities, social networks, resources and more. YO! Youth Organizing Disabled and Proud. There are many resources and ways to connect with other young people and learn to take charge of your life and help others do that too. Check it out.

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