Self-Advocacy Blog

  • Author: Jean Hauff.

    9/15/2022

    If You Want to Go to College, You Should Go!

    Jean Hauff attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA where she majored in multi-platform journalism. Her advice to others? “If you want to go to college, you should go!”

  • Author: James Meadours.

    2/11/2022

    Act Responsibly

    We all need to act responsibly by the actions we take in our community. I acted responsibly by getting all three COVID-19 shots (the first two shots and the booster). I also act responsibly by wearing a face mask in public. But there is no guarantee you won’t get COVID. I got a mild case, but I did not get real sick and have to go to the hospital.

  • Author: James Meadours.

    09/27/2021

    About Vaccinations

    Being vaccinated is very important to me, I think it is the responsible thing to do. I want to be protected from getting the virus and I also care about other people.

  • Author: ICI Self-Advocate Advisory Committee.

    08/27/2021

    Britney Spears and her "Hot Mess" Guardianship Situation

    We hope that Britney Spears wins her legal battle. We also hope that this case can help other people in similar situations make their own choices about their lives. People living with disabilities have rights. If Britney Spears didn’t know what her rights are, then it’s probably true that other people could use a refresher as well.

  • Author: Cliff Poetz.

    07/15/2021

    Staff Matching

    One very important relationship in the lives of self-advocates is between them and their staff. Staff and self-advocates should not only get along with one another, but also work together to accomplish mutual goals.

  • Author: Cliff Poetz.

    07/01/2021

    Budgeting and Personal Finance

    It is important for everyone to keep track of their budget and personal finances. Budgeting helps you plan how to spend your money for the month. This helps make sure you get the things you need like food, shelter, and clothing and can keep you from running out of money.

  • Author: Cliff Poetz.

    06/17/2021

    Personal Safety

    Personal safety is important for everyone. Self-advocates need to assess their personal safety in different settings, including when they interact with staff, when in their homes, and when in their community.

  • Author: Cliff Poetz.

    06/02/2021

    Thank You to Our Healthcare Workers

    I would like to thank all of our healthcare workers for their efforts during this crisis. Without them, people wouldn’t be able to get their medication or the medical attention they need.

  • Author: Cliff Poetz.

    04/28/2021

    Remote Learning

    I would like to thank all of the teachers and schools for working so hard and adapting during this time. I know it can be frustrating, but we can also look at this as an opportunity to learn new techniques and tools through remote learning and adapt them for classroom settings in the future.

  • Author: Cliff Poetz.

    04/15/2021

    Advocating for Yourself

    When you advocate for yourself, you are standing up for your basic human rights. You are not doing anything wrong by expressing your wants and needs. If there were no self-advocates, we would not be where we are today.

  • Author: Joe Meadours.

    04/01/2021

    Remembering Cliff Poetz

    I first met Cliff at an Arc convention in the early 1990s. He was from the northern part of the country and I was from the south. We got to talking and we found we had a few things in common.

  • Author: Cliff Poetz.

    03/12/2021

    Remembering Rick Cardenas

    Self-advocates lost a great friend and mentor with the recent passing of Rick Cardenas on March 10th. Rick was very important to the Minnesota Self-Advocacy Movement in many ways.

  • Author: Cliff Poetz.

    03/11/2021

    COVID-19: Where We Are and Where to Go from Here

    It is important for all people to be careful and follow the instructions given to you to be safe during this time.

  • Author: Cliff Poetz.

    02/18/2021

    Health & Wellness

    Now is a great time to think about wellness. It is important to talk with your doctor about scheduling an annual check-up or physical and make sure to get a flu shot if you haven’t already.

  • Author: Cliff Poetz.

    02/05/2021

    Leadership

    President Trump showed the country time and time again that he lacked the leadership needed to be the President of the United States. He did not listen to the advice of the CDC, doctors, experts, and professionals.