ACT Memo

As you requested, this is your ACT Self-Advocacy Resource Network Memo facilitating a national dialogue among self-advocates and supporters and a clearinghouse for materials and training that support self-advocacy.

April 23, 2008

You Decide

So how about it: has anybody seen the movie “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”? It makes you think a lot about control of your life. It makes you think about what is possible in your life.

When people ask for permission from their “staff,” either at home or at work, what are they doing? Are they following procedure? Giving up their power? Or taking control of their lives?

Remember, you hire the staff. They work for you. That means you decide.

1.	Group Activity
2.	Resource


1.	Group Activity: We Can Change Anyone can learn to be more assertive. Give each person a chance to say one time when s/he wished s/he had pushed for what s/he wanted. Then role-play that situation so that person can practice doing it differently. [Return to top]


2.	Resource I Can Speak for Myself! Practice being assertive with this self-led workshop. [Return to top]

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Today’s Trivia Question:

In what year did the U.S. sign the new U.N. Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities?

a.	2007
b.	2008
c.	The U.S. has not yet signed.

(The answer will be published
in the next Memo.)

Answer to April 16th Trivia Question:
b. Vetoed it twice and weakened its language.

Question was: Before President Nixon signed the Rehab Act in 1973, he…

a.	Advocated strongly for its passage.
b.	Vetoed it twice and weakened its language.
c.	Had never thought about it.

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