Lesson Plan
Advocacy Workshop Plan
Students will craft and practice tailored advocacy strategies for adults with disabilities through role-play and guided planning, culminating in a personalized action plan.
Equips future professionals with concrete tools to amplify voices of adults with disabilities, navigate systemic barriers, and deliver inclusive support in real-world settings.
Audience
Undergraduate Students
Time
90 minutes
Approach
Interactive role-play, guided planning, and reflective discussion
Prep
Prepare Materials and Setup
15 minutes
- Print or upload the Advocacy Scenarios Packet and Personalized Advocacy Strategy Worksheet.
- Review key sections of the Disability Rights Resource Guide.
- Create breakout groups or designate pairs for role-play.
- Queue up a slide deck or whiteboard for debrief notes.
- Place copies of the Workshop Reflection Prompts at each table.
Step 1
Introduction & Objectives
10 minutes
- Welcome students and outline session goals.
- Review the importance of advocacy for adults with disabilities.
- Share the agenda and expected outcomes.
- Briefly introduce key terms from the Disability Rights Resource Guide.
Step 2
Resource Overview
10 minutes
- Distribute the Disability Rights Resource Guide.
- In small groups, students skim for relevant laws, best practices, and support services.
- Share top takeaways with the class.
Step 3
Role-Play Preparation
10 minutes
- Hand out the Advocacy Scenarios Packet.
- Assign scenario pairs and roles (advocate/client).
- Clarify objectives: identify barriers, propose solutions, practice respectful communication.
Step 4
Role-Play Activity
25 minutes
- Students enact their scenarios, switching roles halfway.
- Observers note effective strategies and challenges.
- Instructor circulates to prompt deeper reflection and guide language.
Step 5
Strategy Planning
20 minutes
- Distribute the Personalized Advocacy Strategy Worksheet.
- Each student develops a step-by-step advocacy plan based on insights from their role-play.
- Encourage reference to specific resources from the guide.
Step 6
Reflection & Debrief
15 minutes
- Provide Workshop Reflection Prompts.
- Students write individual reflections: successes, areas for growth, next steps.
- Conduct a whole-class discussion, capturing key themes on the board.
- Summarize takeaways and encourage application in future fieldwork.
Slide Deck
Championing Your Voice
A Tier 3 Workshop for Undergraduate Students
– Developing Personalized Advocacy Strategies
– 90 Minutes
Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and the workshop “Championing Your Voice.” Explain that over the next 90 minutes they’ll develop and practice advocacy strategies for adults with disabilities.
Session Objectives & Agenda
- Understand key disability rights and resources
- Practice advocacy via role-play
- Develop a personalized advocacy plan
- Reflect on successes and growth
Agenda:
• 10’ Intros & Objectives
• 10’ Resource Overview
• 35’ Role-Play
• 20’ Strategy Planning
• 15’ Reflection & Debrief
Read through the objectives aloud. Emphasize the importance of each outcome and how they build on one another.
Why Advocacy Matters
• Empowers individuals to have a voice
• Helps navigate systemic barriers
• Promotes inclusion and equity
• Strengthens professional skillset
Briefly discuss why advocacy matters for adults with disabilities. Invite a couple of students to share any prior experiences or thoughts.
Resource Overview
Review the Disability Rights Resource Guide
In Your Groups:
• Identify relevant laws or policies
• Note best practices or service providers
• Prepare to share one top takeaway
Distribute the Disability Rights Resource Guide. Instruct small groups to skim for laws, best practices, and support services. After 5 minutes, ask each group to share one key insight.
Role-Play Preparation
• Scenario packets: Advocacy Scenarios Packet
• Assign Advocate & Client roles
• Clarify goals:
– Identify barriers
– Propose actionable solutions
– Use inclusive, strengths‐based language
Hand out the Advocacy Scenarios Packet. Explain roles (advocate/client) and objectives: uncover barriers, propose solutions, practice respectful communication. Assign pairs and distribute scenario descriptions.
Role-Play Activity
• Enact scenarios (12’)
• Switch roles (12’)
• Observers note:
– Effective advocacy techniques
– Communication challenges
Instructor circulates to support and prompt deeper reflection.
Guide students through the activity. After 12 minutes, prompt them to switch roles. Encourage observers to take notes on strategies and challenges.
Strategy Planning
Complete the Personalized Advocacy Strategy Worksheet
Include:
• Client background & goals
• Identified barriers & resources
• Step‐by‐step action plan (timeline, responsible parties)
• References to specific tools or contacts
Distribute the Personalized Advocacy Strategy Worksheet. Encourage students to draw from their role‐play insights and the resource guide to build a step‐by‐step plan.
Reflection & Debrief
Reflect using the Workshop Reflection Prompts
Prompts:
• What strategies worked well?
• What communication challenges arose?
• How will you apply these plans in real settings?
Group Discussion: Share key themes.
Share the Workshop Reflection Prompts. Ask students to reflect individually for 5 minutes, then lead a 10‐minute debrief discussion, capturing themes on the board.
Next Steps & Closing
• Final Takeaways:
– Advocacy is continuous and client‐centered
– Leverage rights and resources effectively
– Reflect and refine your approach
Stay connected for updates and support!
Contact: your.email@domain.edu
Wrap up by summarizing key takeaways and encouraging application in future fieldwork. Provide contact info for follow‐up questions or support.
Worksheet
Advocacy Scenarios Packet
Use these scenarios for your role-play. In each pair, one student takes the role of the advocate and the other the client. After enacting the scenario, switch roles and repeat. For each scenario, answer the questions below.
Scenario 1: Workplace Accommodation
Context: Maria is a 28-year-old administrative assistant with a mobility disability. She uses a wheelchair and recently requested a height-adjustable desk and accessible bathroom facilities. Her supervisor is hesitant, citing budget constraints and workspace limitations.
Client Goals:
- Receive a height-adjustable desk by next month
- Ensure accessible restroom access within her department
Barriers:
- Supervisor’s budget objections
- Lack of awareness of legal obligations under the ADA
Questions:
- Identify the primary barrier Maria faces.
- What legal rights or organizational policies could you reference to support her request?
- Draft a concise advocacy statement you would present to the supervisor to secure the accommodations.
Scenario 2: Accessible Communication at a Medical Appointment
Context: Jamal is a 45-year-old man who is Deaf and uses American Sign Language (ASL). He has an upcoming specialist appointment, but the clinic has not confirmed interpreter services. He fears miscommunication could lead to an incorrect diagnosis or treatment plan.
Client Goals:
- Ensure a qualified ASL interpreter is present for the entire appointment
- Receive clear explanations of medical procedures and options
Barriers:
- Clinic staff unfamiliar with scheduling interpreters
- Clinic may perceive in-person interpretation as too costly
Questions:
- List two communication barriers Jamal might encounter without an interpreter.
- Which local or national resources could you engage to arrange interpreter services?
- Outline a plan (steps and timeline) to secure interpretation before the appointment date.
Scenario 3: Community Participation and Public Transportation
Context: Sophia is a 32-year-old woman with a psychiatric disability who relies on public transit to attend a weekly support group downtown. Recently, buses on her route have been consistently delayed, and drivers sometimes skip announcements about route changes, causing her to miss appointments.
Client Goals:
- Restore reliable transit access for her weekly support group
- Have clear, accessible communication from transit staff
Barriers:
- Inconsistent driver communication
- Transit authority’s lack of formal feedback mechanisms for riders with disabilities
Questions:
- Describe the emotional and practical impacts these transit issues have on Sophia.
- What stakeholders (e.g., transit authority, advocacy organizations) should you involve in your strategy?
- Propose an advocacy approach (including specific actions and who will be responsible) to address Sophia’s access concerns.