These programs have to treat people like human beings, to keep the home clean, and protect people's rights. The rights under this Act are in addition to constitutional or other rights given to all individuals. Historically, self-advocacy was and is a civil rights movement for people with cognitive disabilities. Self-advocacy organizations are run by and operated by boards or executive committees of people with cognitive disabilities. There are other advocacy groups that are not for and run by people with cognitive disabilities.
Different people have their own definition of self-advocacy.
Their definition may be different from our definition of self-advocacy. It includes early intervention services, respite care, personal assistance services, family support services, supported employment services, support services for families headed by aging caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities, and provision of rehabilitation technology and assistive technology. People need supports that will let them to exert control and choice over their own lives. Self-advocacy groups are not programs. Self-advocacy groups do not get direct funding.