How Self-Advocacy Groups Form and Make a Difference: Case Study Report

This report shares what we learned from a project that supported self-advocates in Southern Africa. The project focused on self-advocacy groups in Angola and Zambia. The Government of Finland funded this work through the International Disability Alliance.

The report explains how self-advocacy groups form in different ways. We look at groups started by families, groups for people with different disabilities, and groups led by self-advocates themselves.

Case studies from our network

The report features stories about how groups started in Zambia and Angola. These case studies show what the groups did and what they learned along the way.

The stories show how people with intellectual disabilities build confidence and learn to lead. We also include examples of different types of groups from our members in Uganda, Egypt, and Canada.

Tools for your group

The report also includes tools to help you start or strengthen your own group. These tools include:

• Steps for Starting a Self-Advocacy Group
• Checklist for Strong Self-Advocacy Groups
• Planning your Self-Advocacy Group
• Our Advocacy Plan
• Support Person Guide

This resource is also in French.

Download (PDF, 12MB)