Warm Up: What is Advocacy?

Instructions: Take a few minutes to think about the word 'advocacy.' What does it mean to you? Have you ever had to advocate for yourself or someone else? Share your thoughts below.

Your Voice, Your Job: Teacher Script

Warm Up: What is Advocacy? (10 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Let's start today with a quick thought exercise. On your desks, you'll find a Warm Up: What Is Advocacy? sheet. Take a few minutes to jot down what the word 'advocacy' means to you. Have you ever had to advocate for yourself or someone else? Don't worry about perfect answers, just your initial thoughts."

Allow 3-5 minutes for students to write.

"Alright, who would like to share their thoughts? What comes to mind when you hear 'advocacy'?"
Listen to student responses, affirming and connecting their ideas.
"Excellent points! It sounds like many of you have a good grasp on what it means to speak up."

Introduction and Objectives (5 minutes)

"Today, we're going to dive deeper into this idea of advocacy, especially as it relates to finding a job. We're calling this lesson Your Voice, Your Job Slide Deck because your voice is a powerful tool in your job search!" (Display Slide 1 - Your Voice, Your Job)

"Our goals for today are to:" (Display Slide 2 - Today's Goals)
"- Define what advocacy means in the job search.
- Identify your personal strengths and potential accommodation needs.
- And most importantly, practice how to communicate these effectively to potential employers."

"Why is this important? Because advocating for yourself means you're taking control of your job search. It means you're making sure employers see your true potential and understand what you need to be successful. This can lead to a job that's a much better fit for you."

Understanding Advocacy (20 minutes)

"So, let's get back to our core idea." (Display Slide 3 - What is Advocacy?)
"As you mentioned earlier, advocacy is all about speaking up for yourself and your needs. In the world of work, it's about confidently communicating who you are, what you can do, and what support might help you thrive."

"I'm going to hand out a Reading: Understanding Advocacy. Please take about 7-10 minutes to read through this. You can read it quietly to yourselves, or if you prefer, I can read it aloud for the class."

Distribute Reading: Understanding Advocacy. Allow time for reading.

"Now that we've read about it, let's discuss. Based on the reading and our conversation, why is it so important to advocate for yourselves when looking for a job?" (Display Slide 4 - Why Advocate for YOURSELF?)
"- To ensure your strengths are seen?
- To get the support you need to succeed?
- To find the RIGHT job for you?"

"Exactly! It's all of those things. And a big part of advocacy is knowing your rights." (Display Slide 5 - Knowing Your Rights)
"The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, is a law that helps ensure fair treatment for people with disabilities in many areas, including employment. It means employers can't discriminate against you because of your disability, and they must provide reasonable accommodations if needed, as long as it doesn't cause undue hardship for the employer. We'll talk more about accommodations soon."

Identifying Strengths and Needs (25 minutes)

"Now, let's get personal. A huge part of advocating for a job is knowing your own 'superpowers' – your strengths!" (Display Slide 6 - Your Superpowers! (Strengths))

"I'm going to give you a Worksheet: My Advocacy Plan. Look at the first section, 'Identifying My Strengths.' Take about 5-7 minutes to brainstorm and write down what you are good at, what makes you a great employee, and how these strengths could benefit an employer. Think about skills, positive personality traits, experiences – anything!"

Distribute Worksheet: My Advocacy Plan. Allow time for students to write.

"Now, let's have a quick Discussion: Advocacy in Action. How can you clearly and confidently talk about these strengths to an employer in an interview? What are some good ways to phrase them?"
Facilitate discussion, encouraging students to share examples.

"Great ideas! Being able to articulate your strengths is powerful. Next, let's look at the second part of our worksheet: 'Identifying My Accommodation Needs.'" (Display Slide 7 - What Helps You Shine? (Accommodations))

"Accommodations are simply changes or adjustments that help you do your best work. They are not about asking for special treatment, but about ensuring you have an equal opportunity to perform your job effectively. Think about what tools or changes might help you succeed. For example, it could be a different type of chair, specific software, or a quiet workspace. Write down any accommodations you might need to do your best work."

Allow 5-7 minutes for students to write.

"It's important to know when and how to discuss accommodations. Generally, you don't have to disclose your disability or need for accommodations until after you've been offered the job. However, if you need an accommodation for the interview process itself (like a sign language interpreter), you should request that beforehand. When you do discuss it, remember to focus on solutions." (Display Slide 8 - Talking About Accommodations)
"- Focus on solutions, not problems. Explain what you need and how it helps you perform.
- Be clear and concise. Don't over-explain or apologize.
- Explain the benefit to the employer – how the accommodation helps you be a productive employee."

Role-Playing and Practice (30 minutes)

"Now it's time to put our advocacy skills into practice!" (Display Slide 9 - Practice Time: Role Play!)
"We're going to do some role-playing of common job interview scenarios. I'll give you a scenario, and I want you to work in pairs or small groups. One person will be the interviewer, and the other will be the job seeker practicing their advocacy. Then you'll switch roles."

"Here's our first scenario: An interviewer asks, 'I see a gap in your work history here. Can you tell me about that?' How would you advocate for yourself?"
Allow 7-10 minutes for practice. Circulate and provide feedback.

"Excellent effort, everyone! Let's try another one. Scenario two: You've been offered a job, and now you need to discuss a reasonable accommodation, like needing a specific type of ergonomic chair. How would you bring this up and explain it?"
Allow 7-10 minutes for practice. Circulate and provide feedback.

"Fantastic work! Role-playing can feel a bit awkward at first, but it's a fantastic way to build confidence." (Display Slide 10 - Great Practice!)
"What did you learn from this practice? What felt easy, and what was challenging?"
Facilitate a brief group share.

## Quiz and Test Prep (15 minutes)

"We've covered a lot today about speaking up for ourselves in the job search. Let's do a quick review of the key points." (Display Slide 11 - Quick Review)
Briefly recap: Definition of advocacy, importance of strengths, importance of accommodations, knowing your rights, and strategies for communication.

"Soon, we'll have a short Quiz: Advocacy Check to see how well you've grasped the main ideas, and a more comprehensive Test: Job Advocacy Scenario Test that will ask you to apply what you've learned to different situations. Any last questions before we move to the assessments?"

Assessment (15 minutes)

"Okay, please put away your notes and worksheets. We're going to take a short quiz and then a test."
Distribute Quiz: Advocacy Check and Test: Job Advocacy Scenario Test. Provide clear instructions for each, including time limits. Circulate to assist with any clarification questions, but do not provide answers.

## Cool Down: My Advocacy Power (10 minutes)

"Alright, everyone, as we wrap up today, I want you to think about one key takeaway from this lesson." (Display Slide 12 - One Last Thought...)
"On your Cool Down: My Advocacy Power sheet, write down one important thing you learned today about advocating for yourself in the job search. And then, how do you plan to use this new advocacy power in your own life or job search?"

Allow 5 minutes for students to write.

"Your voice is truly powerful in your job search! Remember that knowing your strengths, understanding your needs, and confidently communicating them are vital steps toward finding the right job for you. Thank you for your participation today!"

Understanding Advocacy: Your Voice, Your Future

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy means speaking up for yourself or for someone else. It's about making your needs, wants, and rights known. In the context of finding a job, self-advocacy is incredibly important. It's how you tell potential employers who you are, what you can do, and what you might need to be successful in a job.

Why is Self-Advocacy Important for Job Seekers with Disabilities?

1. Showcasing Your Strengths: You have unique skills, talents, and experiences. Advocacy helps you highlight these strengths and explain how they make you a valuable employee.
2. Addressing Accommodation Needs: If you need certain adjustments to perform a job effectively (called "reasonable accommodations"), advocacy is how you communicate these. Examples include a modified work schedule, specialized equipment, or a quiet workspace.
3. Knowing Your Rights: Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protect your rights in the workplace. Advocacy involves understanding these rights and knowing how to use them to ensure fair treatment.
4. Finding the Right Fit: By clearly communicating your strengths and needs, you increase your chances of finding a job that is a good match for your abilities and where you can truly thrive.

Identifying Your Strengths

Before you can advocate for yourself, you need to know what you're advocating for! Start by thinking about your strengths. These aren't just job skills; they also include your personal qualities.

Think about:

• Skills: What are you good at? (e.g., problem-solving, working with your hands, organizing, talking to people, using computers)
• Experience: What have you learned from past jobs, volunteer work, or even life experiences?
• Personal Qualities: Are you reliable, determined, a good listener, detail-oriented, a quick learner, or creative?

Self-advocacy is about framing these strengths positively. For example, if you are very detail-oriented due to a particular trait, you can highlight this as a benefit for jobs requiring precision.

Understanding and Requesting Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are modifications or adjustments to a job or work environment that enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of that position. They are not about lowering job standards.

Examples of common accommodations:

• Physical Adjustments: Ergonomic chairs, adjustable desks, specialized keyboards.
• Assistive Technology: Screen readers, voice recognition software, magnifiers.
• Work Schedule Modifications: Flexible hours, modified breaks, part-time work.
• Communication Aids: Sign language interpreters, written instructions, alternative formats for materials.
• Environmental Changes: Reduced distractions, improved lighting, accessible restrooms.

When to Discuss Accommodations

• Generally, you are not required to disclose your disability or need for accommodations until after you have received a job offer. This gives you the chance to be considered based on your qualifications.
• If you need an accommodation for the interview process itself (e.g., a quiet room for an interview, a sign language interpreter), you should request this when the interview is scheduled.

How to Discuss Accommodations

When you do discuss accommodations with an employer, remember to:

• Be clear and concise: State what you need and why it's necessary for you to perform the job effectively. Avoid over-explaining your medical history.
• Focus on the solution: Explain how the accommodation will help you do the job, rather than focusing on the limitations of your disability.
• Emphasize the benefit to the employer: Show how the accommodation allows you to be a productive and valuable member of their team.

Remember: Self-advocacy is a skill that grows with practice. By understanding your strengths, knowing your rights, and learning to communicate effectively, you empower yourself in the job market.

My Advocacy Plan

This worksheet will help you prepare to advocate for yourself in your job search. By identifying your strengths and potential accommodation needs, you can confidently communicate with employers.

Part 1: Identifying My Strengths

Think about what you are good at, what positive qualities you possess, and what makes you a valuable employee. How can these strengths benefit an employer?

1. Skills & Talents: What specific skills do you have? (e.g., computer skills, problem-solving, customer service, organization, manual dexterity)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Positive Qualities: What positive personality traits describe you? (e.g., reliable, determined, good listener, detail-oriented, patient, creative, adaptable)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Past Experiences: What have you learned from previous jobs, volunteer work, or other experiences? How do these experiences make you stronger?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. How do these strengths benefit an employer? Write 1-2 sentences explaining the value you bring.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Identifying My Accommodation Needs

Think about any reasonable accommodations (adjustments) that would help you perform your best at a job. Remember, these help you do your work effectively.

1. What specific accommodations might help you do your job effectively? (e.g., ergonomic chair, specific software, quiet workspace, flexible schedule, written instructions)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. How would this accommodation help you perform your job? Explain the connection between the accommodation and your ability to do the work.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. When and how would you discuss this accommodation with an employer? (e.g., during the interview, after a job offer, focus on solutions, explain benefits)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Discussion: Advocacy in Action

These prompts are designed to facilitate a class discussion about applying advocacy skills in real-world job search scenarios.

Part 1: Articulating Your Strengths

1. Sharing Strengths: "Think about the strengths you identified on your Worksheet: My Advocacy Plan. How would you describe one of your top strengths to a potential employer in a job interview? Try to explain not just what the strength is, but how it benefits a workplace."
   
   
   
   
   
2. Overcoming Weaknesses (Positively): "Sometimes interviewers ask about your weaknesses. How can you turn a perceived weakness into an opportunity to show your self-awareness and commitment to growth, or even subtly showcase an advocacy skill?"
   
   
   
   
   
3. Real-Life Examples: "Can anyone share a time they successfully highlighted a personal strength in an important situation (not necessarily a job interview)? What made it effective?"
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Navigating Accommodation Discussions

1. Timing is Key: "Based on the Reading: Understanding Advocacy and our discussion, when is generally the best time to discuss accommodation needs with an employer? What if you need an accommodation for the interview itself?"
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Phrasing Your Request: "Imagine you need a quiet workspace to concentrate effectively. How would you phrase this request to an employer after you've received a job offer? Remember to focus on solutions and benefits."
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. What if an Employer Says No? "What would you do if an employer seemed hesitant or outright denied a reasonable accommodation request? What steps might you take?"
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Cool Down: My Advocacy Power

Take a few moments to reflect on what we learned today about advocating for yourself in the job search.

1. One Key Takeaway: What is one important thing you learned today about self-advocacy that you will remember?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Using Your Advocacy Power: How do you plan to use this new understanding of advocacy in your own job search or in other areas of your life?