Self-Advocacy for Adults with DD

Self- Advocacy for Adults with Developmental Disabilities 

Copyright Debra K. Shumard 2010

Course Description

Self Advocacy for Adults with Developmental Disabilities is a continuing education course for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) as well as professionals in the ancillary services who work with adults with disabilities. Self Advocacy is commonly presented asspeaking upo for oneself, or for a group of people with disabilities.

Course Rationale

Professionals such as a Licensed Social Worker, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, QMRP (Qualified Mental Retardation Specialist),  Speech Language Pathologist, Special Education Teacher and Intervention Specialist, as well as Physicians and Nurses, are expected to respect a person's right to  practice self advocacy.  Individuals can learn self advocacy in a group setting or individual, as well as through internet resources posted by peers. Two examples of the way self advocacy can be applied: by increasing confidence and social skills, or by learning  leadership and legislative skills.

Course Goals and Objectives (Learning Outcomes)

Upon completion of this course, the CTRS will be able:

1)       To explain the importance of person-first language to professionals working with individuals with disabilities.

2)       To describe the evolution of language referring to people with disabilities. 

3)      To identify groups who disagree with the use of person-first language.

4)      To cite a specific example: People with disabilities who are leading the national movement to change the language describing them by removing the words “mental retardation” from diagnoses, federal agency literature and even the titles of agencies serving them.

Course Instructor

Debra K Shumard, CTRS
Managing Director, Beyond our Boundaries 2001- present
Self Advocacy Trainer 2001-present

Target Audience

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Therapist (CTRS)

 Course Educational Level

This course is suitable for practitioners, administrators, or educators at any level.

Course Prerequisites

None

Criteria for issuance of Continuing Education Credits (CERTIFICATE)

The standard completion time for home-based self-study courses for .1CEU is approximately fifty minutes. Please confirm fifty minutes of study in the evaluation.  A documented score of 70% or greater on the written post-test warrants the completion certificate.

Continuing Education Credits

One (1) hour of continuing education credit
 (1 contact hour)
.1CEU

Please note:

The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) does not pre-approve continuing education.