Self-advocacy among people with disabilities in the transition from good will to civil rights: Is it sufficient?
Palmer, C.D..
Work 14(1): 61-65
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 1875-9270 PMID: 12441541 Document Number: 523696
The burdens associated with eliminating discrimination on the basis of disability have been bestowed upon those individuals in our society with the least experience in defending themselves from social and interpersonal bias. Offering people with disabilities training in civil rights, barrier identification, interpersonal communication, and problem solving skills to enhance and empower self-advocacy have been the primary means of government sponsored human service institutions to generate the desired social change. There is evidence that these actions are less than effective. Overt public commitment and outreach efforts are needed to effectively elicit change from those individuals who are directly responsible for discriminatory actions.