You deserve to be able to navigate the world with confidence, maintaining your independence and autonomy in every situation. One of the best ways to help you do this is to be a strong self-advocate, and one of the best ways to do this is to be aware of your legal protections as an individual with disabilities. Whether you are trying to find disability accommodations, dealing with issues in your workplace, or simply need access to essential services, knowing your legal protections and translating them into self-advocacy can help ensure that your rights will be protected. To help you make sure all your needs are met, take a look at these four legal protections you need to know about in order to be an effective self-advocate.
You have no doubt heard of the Americans with Disabilities Act in a number of contexts, but what does it actually do? The ADA was signed into law in 1990, and its main job is prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability in many facets of public and private life. It ensures that individuals with disabilities have equal access and opportunity in employment; public services like schooling, transportation, health care, and more; businesses that are open to the public; and much more. The Act also prohibits entities or people from retaliating against individuals who have invoked the ADA, so there will not be personal or detrimental consequences for those who assert their rights with this Act. If you are curious if the ADA applies to a particular place or facet of your life, feel free to check out the details on their website linked above. The ADA also protects you from having to reveal certain private information about your disability to employers, making sure you have the right to privacy. The ADA protects you from discrimination in a very wide range of places and situations, so knowing how you can invoke it specifically can be a huge help in self-advocacy.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Another important set of legal rights to know when bolstering your self-advocacy is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Like the ADA, the Rehab Act was signed into law in order to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities, but this was specifically written for the context of programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. For example, this section of the Act ensures that individuals who are qualified for certain jobs cannot be barred from employment on account of their disabilities, and also makes sure that they receive reasonable accommodations in said employment opportunity so that they may perform to the best of their abilities. This also applies to public schooling, so if you are in need of accommodations in a public school setting, this is the legal protection that ensures you receive them.
The Fair Housing Act is an essential legal right to know for those seeking to live independently, among other goals. The FHA states that housing providers and landlords are prohibited from refusing to rent, sell, or negotiate housing prices with someone on account of their disabilities. It also requires them to ensure access to reasonable accommodations, and that zoning and other land regulations cannot be used to hinder individuals with disabilities from renting/owning. In other words, the FHA ensures that you will always have equal opportunity when it comes to housing. For a full list of what the FHA covered, click on the link above.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Historically, education has been a field in which individuals with disabilities have been highly discriminated against. Though this unfortunately still occurs, the world has changed, and with this change has come the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This act not only guarantees that folks with disabilities have the right to quality public education, but also the right to individualized programs that suit their specific needs in the educational realm. IDEA requires public schools to create individualized educational programs for each student with disabilities that outlines specific goals for the student and how they can achieve them. This is often thought to just apply to children with disabilities, but in reality, it applies to folks of any age who are students in public education. Knowing what IDEA entitles you to can make a huge difference in self-advocacy, helping you make sure that you receive all you need in order to be successful in your education.
Self-Advocacy in Action: Real-Life Situations and Tips
Self-advocacy is a key skill that individuals with disabilities often need to practice, particularly when dealing with unresponsive state agencies or service providers. For example, this may occur when someone applies for a service but receives slow responses or has their application denied, and they wish to challenge the decision.
Another common situation involves issues with landlords, particularly when a landlord fails to comply with necessary accessibility accommodations to make a residence accessible. At Delta Center, we teach people how to effectively advocate for themselves in these and other challenging situations.
Advice for Those Feeling Intimidated by Self-Advocacy
For anyone feeling unsure or intimidated about advocating for themselves, stepping outside your comfort zone is essential for growth. While it can feel daunting to put yourself out there, progress happens when you take that first step. Lisa, the Advocacy Coordinator at Delta Center, likens this to the Olympics—where even the best athletes must overcome fear to achieve greatness. At Delta Center, we provide individuals with the tools and support needed to build their confidence and advocate for themselves effectively.
It has been said many times, but it bears repeating—knowledge is power. When it comes to living your best life as an individual with disabilities, self-advocacy and legal rights go hand in hand. Knowing your rights will not only boost your confidence but also your chances of ensuring you are protected. The more you know, the better a self-advocate you will be. If you are looking for more information and knowledge to help you on your path to independence, autonomy, and advocacy, take a look at our extensive Delta Center blog. We update it monthly to bring you the latest information and advice on everything from adaptive technology and device accessibility features to tips for safe travel as a disabled individual and finding accessible hobbies. We are here to help you, at every stage and in every facet of your life.
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