Self Determination / Self Advocacy Action Plan

Self-determination is the ability to make decisions about one’s quality of life without undue interference or influence from others. Self advocacy is the ability to communicate one’s needs and preferences.

How To Get Started: To create a custom action plan for yourself or for someone you support:

Select items that you want added to your action plan.
Ignore any items that have already been done, or that are not relevant to you or the person you’re supporting.
After clicking “Submit,” you will see a summary of your selected items, which is your customized action plan.
This form will not be saved, however you will be able to print the summary, and if you provided an optional email address, the results will be emailed to you immediately.

Acronym Key: IEP = Individualized Transition Program

Growing as a self-advocate

Practice communication of one’s interests, preferences, and needs.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Family, School/IEP Team, Adult Service Providers

Resources: Student dream sheet Self awareness for self advocacy

Practice decision making skills. Choices should be offered & supported as often as possible– start with small choices matter like what one wears, eats, does for fun, who one hangs out with.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, family, school/IEP Team, adult service providers

Resources: Supported decision making

Identify needed adult services, and if appropriate, the individual can start learning how to direct and manage these services.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, Adult Service Providers

Resources: Self directed service options Self directed services

Support the student to participate in their own IEP Meetings. Prepare the individual with what to expect, seek their input on goals, and come up with ideas to contribute in advance of the meeting.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Resources: 10 ways to involve your young adult in their IEP meetings

Developing decision making skills

Explore Work Together NC’s leadership & advocacy program library.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Resources: WTNC advocacy resources

Learn about the disability rights movement and key figures.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual,School/IEP Team

Resources: Crip Camp documentary

Learn about supported decision-making and alternatives to guardianship.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, Adult Service Providers

Resources: Rethinking guardianship Supported decision making action plan

Learn about the differences in the laws regarding disability rights for young people with disabilities from high school to adulthood.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team

Resources: Making the transition for HS to college

Learn and practice how to explain one’s disability and/or the accommodations or supports they need in work, postsecondary education, and community settings.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, Adult Service Providers

Resources: Effective accommodation practices

Develop a person centered plan, including the individual’s vision and goals for adulthood.

Approximate Age: Upon exiting high school and ongoing updates | Who can help: Individual, Inclusive Postsecondary Education Program (if applicable), Adult Service Providers

Resources: Person centered planning

Additional Items

Add any additional items that you would like to include in your Action Plan.

Provide an email address to receive a copy of this custom Action Plan.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.