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ADVOCACY

POLICY STATEMENT

Advocacy is essential in maintaining or improving the quality of life for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities.

ISSUE

Our constituents may lack the support of advocates to:

	Know, understand and assert their rights.
	Practice self-determination.
	Practice self-protection.
	Obtain needed services.
	Identify and overcome barriers to and discrimination in the community.
	Be protected from abuse and neglect.

POSITION

Advocacy is vital in improving and sustaining quality of life for our constituents. To be successful, advocacy must take place at both the individual and the system levels.

Individuals

Advocates should be knowledgeable, trained, and grounded in basic principles respecting the rights and dignity of children and adults as set forth in these position statements.

Advocates must communicate effectively with our constituents, encouraging them to express and act on their thoughts, choices, and feelings about issues and proposed solutions. The advocate and the individual must be able to understand each other. The advocate should exercise great care to ensure that the person with mental retardation fully understands the benefits and risks of any decision. In making decisions, people should be encouraged to consult with the important people in their lives. Advocates have an ethical obligation to represent the desires and needs of the person they represent, regardless of their own personal opinions on the matter.

In certain circumstances, parents and other legal representatives may need to be involved in making decisions with and on behalf of the individual. Advocates must be careful to recognize and set aside their own needs and desires that may conflict with those of the individual they are advocating for. If there is a conflict of interest, the advocate should withdraw from the decision-making.

Systems

Individuals should have access to Protection and Advocacy systems mandated by state and federal laws that:

	Are free from government influence and control.
	Are free from conflict of interest.
	Are adequately funded and staffed.
	Provide advocacy on their behalf even though a formal complaint has not been filed.
	Have the capacity to bring together all other community resources available in pursuit of the appropriate remedies.
	Use multiple advocacy strategies, such as information and referral, mediation, legal action, and legislative and regulatory solutions.