Empowering students and their families with self-advocacy and self-determination resources can be challenging for teachers, particularly given the numerous demands of education and the need to prepare students for adulthood. To make it easier to share these resources and encourage self-advocacy both in and out of school, we've summarized what families have told us they prefer in terms of products, topics, and how they receive information.

Families need resources that are easy to understand and use. When creating these resources, it's helpful to:

• Use clear, straightforward language.
• Limit the amount of information offered per page.
• Develop content with people with disabilities.
• Ensure cultural relevance and offer multiple languages.
• Include graphics and visual aids. Use headings, bold fonts, bullet points, indexes, graphics, and statistics.
• List follow-up resources and contact information, including phone numbers, email addresses, and website links.

Based on what families have shared, here are the key topics they need information on:

• Funding for assistive technologies
• Employment, including benefits eligibility
• Postsecondary planning
• Alternatives to guardianship
• Products specific to certain periods of life and developmental stages
• Accessible housing on/near campus
• Information on healthy relationships, intimacy, and sex
• Life tips, emotional support, and coping strategies

Based on feedback from families, you’ll find a summary of the most effective ways to share resources below.

When to Disseminate Information

• Timely and at key moments (e.g., just after diagnosis, before a transition, or before key events)
• In a “slow-drip” format

Who Should Disseminate Information

• High school and higher education professionals
• Adult-serving agencies
• Healthcare professionals
• Informal community settings (e.g., community centers, faith-based organizations, support groups)

A Cautionary Note on Online Products

While online resources can make self-advocacy information more accessible, it's important to design them in a way that families will use. According to families, effective online resources should be:

• Well-organized websites that are intuitive, colorful, inviting, and easy to navigate.
• Affirming and evidence-based content that celebrates disabilities and various cultures.
• Engaging and interactive activities, instructional sessions, and videos.