A GUIDE TO SELF-ADVOCACY GETTING ORGANIZED, BEING PREPARED, TAKING ACTION AND GETTING RESULTS

Self-Advocacy means being able to speak up for yourself so that you can get what you need and handle any problems and make sure you get satisfactory results.

Evictions, credit problems, problems with social service agencies, and utility shut-offs are a few examples of serious legal problems faced by many people. Self-advocacy allows you to know what needs to be done to take care of these legal problems yourself and many other problems before they become too serious.
 

There are four easy steps to becoming a self-advocate:  

Step 1: Be Organized

•  Make sure you keep all important papers

•  Keep a record of all important phone calls including the name of the person
   you talked with and the date

•  Keep your papers and records organized

Step 2: Develop a Plan for Action

•  Identify the problem

•  What are possible solutions to the problem?

•  Choose the best solution that will get you the results you need

Step 3: Take Action

•  Be Prepared!

•  Focus on why you are taking action and what you need from the
   person you are contacting

•  Have the important papers and records with you in order to help
   resolve your problem

•  Know what your next step will be if the person you contact cannot get you the results you need

•  Listen and Remain Calm! A good conversation will help. Angry words may
   only annoy the person you are requesting help from and can make it more
   difficult to get what you need. You should also be treated with respect - be
   assertive.

•  Don't Give Up! Present your information and problem and ask questions. If
   you are not getting the results you need, ask to speak to a supervisor, or, if
   necessary, the supervisor's supervisor. If appropriate, ask for a decision in
   writing.

Step 4: Don't be Afraid to Ask for Help

•  Seek support from family, friends, church and community organizations.

•  Find out about community resources that can help you. Check your phone
   book, call your MP’s or MPP’s office or local social service agency.

•  Volunteer & Information Quinte provides information about available
   resources in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. Their number is 969-8862.
   Napanee residents can obtain resource information from the Kingston District
   Community Information Centre at 1-866-308-4636. “Community Key” and
   “Where to Turn” are reference materials published by these offices
   respectively and are available in most libraries

•  Call the legal clinic for help or referral if you don't know how to handle your
   legal problem

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The above guide was Adapted from a publication by Statewide Legal Services, Connecticut, USA. An American clinic, Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, Inc., created this great publication on self-advocacy, called "Guide to Self-Advocacy - A Guide to Getting Organized, Being Prepared, Taking Acting, and Getting Results."  Click on the link to go to their site and click on "How to Use this Web Site" to take you to links provided for both PDF and text formats of this document.

Plain Language Guide to Administrative Tribunals - (40 pgs) - April 2007

Most applicants to administrative tribunals know little or nothing about the administrative justice system. This downloadable guide from the Council of Canadian Administrative Tribunals explains the whole tribunal process clearly and simply—what administrative tribunals are, their purpose, the process, and what the applicant is supposed to do.