Advocacy and Independent Living Services for Individuals

With All Disabilities

497 State Street  Rochester, NY 14608
585-442-6470 (V/TTY)  fax 585-271-8558  web www.rcil.org

Ready, Set . . . . GO!

Ready, Set, GO! is a tri-level curriculum designed to:

1. Introduce students to the basic constructs of disability and self-advocacy,

2. Expose students to experiences around the Rochester and Disability communities that support
their self-advocacy training, and . . . .
3. Encourage and guide them to research, create, and participate in a self-advocacy activity based on
their strengths, interests and/or future employment aspirations.

LEVEL ONE: is intended to be a 4 course series for a small group to take together in succession.
Each course builds on the vocabulary and concepts of the previous course. All courses will include
a preparatory assignment (topic warm-up), some style of presentation (film clip, video, short lecture,
learning activity), a Q&A and discussion time and a review of the lesson handout, a summary of
terms and concepts important to “take away” from each course.

101— Lessons Learned: Self Advocacy- Then and Now

Students will learn about how the ideas of disability and independence have evolved through
time. Course will discuss laws and policies that constitute our “disability rights”. Students
will explore their own definitions of disability and independence and their responsibilities
within these definitions and aforementioned rights.

102— Breaking Barriers: All About Accommodations for Self Advocates

This training will explore the reasons why people with disabilities run into barriers to
education and employment and how to break through and break down those obstacles. Young
people will learn about disclosure and asking for accommodations and/or help, accepting these
and utilizing them for success.

103— Respect: Getting Things Done as a Self-Advocate

It’s time to take action. This training will walk students through mock accomplishments from
first idea to ultimate success. We will lay out systems of goal setting, how to monitor
progress, as well positive self-talk and motivation to encourage and “spark” the forward
motion that we all need.

104— Build your Muscle: Anatomy of a strong Self-Advocate

This training will explore the qualities of a good advocate and self-advocate through a fun new
way to look at anatomy (How do we use our eyes, ears, heart, hands, etc.?). We will discuss
making good and informed choices, decision making and the ability to utilize all the resources
available to us, including the opinions and advice of those around us.

 Other Level One courses/topics can be added upon request, and based on student need.
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LEVEL TWO: is intended to be a 2 session pairing for a small group and /or individual to take after
completing the Level One series. Level Two is all about experiential learning. Part one will look at
the “self” as the future professional. Part two will look to the community as a support and resource
to the current learner and future employee.

201— All Pro: Professional Practices of the Self Advocate

This session will take the learner(s) into the community for an experience chosen to fit their
individual goals. This could be an exploration of professional clothing, banking, mock
interview situations, perhaps even a business networking event. The focus will be on
developing skills in communication, professionalism, leadership and personal presentation.
Specific attention will be given to their own role in support plans, as well as using
assertiveness appropriately and developing self-determination.

202— Fieldtrip: Exploration of Community Resources

This session will be a fieldtrip to a community resource of interest or befitting
students/vocational goals. This could be a tour of the Library, Teen Library and the
ImagineYou Interactive Learning Lab, a local college tour and exploration of disability
services, or a job site exploration. Session is meant to be interactive and full of discussion and
Q&A. Discussions of Peer-Mentoring and Giving Back will accompany a re-evaluation of
independence, responsibilities and learning from (listening to) others.

 Level Two courses can be repeated based on student goals and needs.

LEVEL THREE: will be a student led and created experience that will allow for practice and
demonstrate of practical self-advocacy skills. Instructor and student will lay out an action plan,
schedule internal deadlines, identify resources, plan a mock budget and demonstrate learned skills by
an agreed upon date.

301— Self-Advocacy/Disability Activity or Mock Experience

Students will set up several meetings with the Instructor for guidance, brainstorming,
encouragement and learning during the development process. Activities will be designed
around students’ needs and goals and will capitalize on vocational or recreational interests.
Students will need to design and participate in an activity that will include tasks such as:

 Asking another person for help  Deciding on accommodations needed

 Listening to an outside opinion  Identifying personal strengths/weaknesses

Activity ideas will be student led, but some ideas, for example, could include teaming with the
CDR Adult Day Program, a Disability film review, or Role-playing in mock self-advocacy
scenarios (interviews, networking, etc.). Students will end their experience with some type of
simple documentation of the activity, e.g., written paragraph, captioned photo(s), vlog.

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