For students with disabilities, developing self-advocacy skills can lead to powerful outcomes. These outcomes include greater independence, smoother transitions to adulthood, positive self-identity, better stress management, and improved overall quality of life. These skills are essential for fostering long-term success both in and beyond the classroom.
However, building self-advocacy and self-determination can be challenging—not only for students but also for their families. As educators, you play a critical role in guiding and supporting this development. To help, we compiled a collection of free, educator-friendly self-advocacy resources.
The Self-Advocacy for K-12 and Higher Education Skills sheet includes details on each resource’s format, intended audience, and purpose, making it easy to find tools that fit your classroom needs. The self-advocacy resources focus on transition planning, employment readiness, lifelong skills, and collaboration strategies.
Your students can also learn how to build these skills through our August issue of What’s Next?: Exercising Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination. If you find these tools helpful, feel free to share them with your colleagues—they may find them just as valuable in their classrooms.
Bonus Tips:
2025 and beyond is packed with learning opportunities. Review our upcoming education and training opportunities below.