Self-Advocacy Resources, Curricula, and Activites
National Transition Partners Self-Advocacy Resources:
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative: NTACT:C offers instruction on self-advocacy, providing definitions of self-advocacy and related terms. Additionally, the website offers a range of valuable resources, conveniently located at the bottom of the page. To access these resources, create a login for NTACT:C.
Before Age 18: The Before Age 18 website is specifically designed to assist youth in their journey of exploring and preparing for the future as they near the age of 18. It provides several interactive resources to support self-advocacy, transition plan development, and exploration of future possibilities.
Transition Tennessee: The primary objective of Transition TN is to ensure students with disabilities are provided with access to opportunities, instruction, support, and services. They have a comprehensive selection of resources designed to enhance transition practices, including the development of self-advocacy skills in youth with disabilities.
To access the available resources on Transition Tennessee's website, users are required to create a login. Once logged in, professionals can navigate to the "For Professionals" tab located at the top of the page. Under this tab, there are various materials and resources, including an Introduction to Self-Advocacy course and a comprehensive list of activities. You will also find a curriculum database to sort through to find the appropriate curricula and lesson plans that you need.
Additionally, Transition Tennessee offers student lesson plans that can be accessed and engaged in through the “For Students” tab. The website provides an index of these lesson plans, allowing each student to be connected to the specific lesson they are currently working on.
Zarrow Institute on Transition & Self-Determination: The Zarrow Institute promotes successful transition outcomes for all by implementing innovative research, putting findings into practice, and disseminating knowledge through high-quality products and professional development. Zarrow's ME! Lessons consist of ten units developed to teach critical transition knowledge and skills. Lesson examples include the IEP, rights and responsibilities, communication, advocating needs, self-awareness, and developing resources.
The Zarrow Institute Curriculum Tab also has curriculum on Career Assessment, Transition Bell Ringers, Whose Future is it Anyway?, and Choice Maker Self-Determination.
Transition Iowa: Transition Iowa is a website that provides information and resources that support transition planning for youth with disabilities and their families, and the educators and professionals who support them. The resources encourage high expectations for all students as they transition to adult life.
Explore Work: Modules were developed called Explore-Work. Explore-Work offers a diverse range of modules that enable students to explore their interests and develop a comprehensive transition plan. One of the notable modules offered by Explore Work focuses on the skills of self-advocacy. The modules are designed to be highly interactive, providing students with an engaging learning experience. Additionally, the modules are available in Spanish to cater to a wide range of learners. The Explore Work project was funded by the US Department of Education.
University of Minnesota Research & Training Center, The Arc: The Self-Advocacy Online platform offers a comprehensive collection of informative videos regarding self-advocacy group locations, insightful blogs, inspiring narratives, educational resources on self-advocacy, and additional research materials for professionals and young individuals.