This is an example page. It’s different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this:

Hi there! I’m a bike messenger by day, aspiring actor by night, and this is my website. I live in Los Angeles, have a great dog named Jack, and I like piña coladas. (And gettin’ caught in the rain.)

…or something like this:

The XYZ Doohickey Company was founded in 1971, and has been providing quality doohickeys to the public ever since. Located in Gotham City, XYZ employs over 2,000 people and does all kinds of awesome things for the Gotham community.

As a new WordPress user, you should go to your dashboard to delete this page and create new pages for your content. Have fun!

Self-Advocacy
Self-determination is your ability to take responsibility for your own life. It involves knowing who you are and who you want to be. In this section you will learn how to self-advocate and represent your own views, interests, needs, and desires in work and school settings.  A self determined person is a person who can speak up for themselves, set goals for their life, make choices, understand options and required supports, solve problems, and evaluate outcomes. Knowledge is power. To have control of your life it is important to make informed decisions by understanding all of the relevant information and weighing the positives and negatives of the choice.  An important decision to make in work and school settings is whether or not to disclose your diagnosis. Disclosure is a personal decision that belongs solely to the individual. In order to receive accommodations in these settings a certain degree of disclosure is necessary.  Take a look at the skills listed under the umbrella of self-determination. By the end of this section, you will have the tools to practice and build these skills for yourself.

Self-determination

  • Setting long-term and short-term goals
  • Achieving goals
  • Making informed decisions independently
  • Making informed decisions with others
  • Knowing when to seek help
  • Understanding my strengths
  • Describing my strengths to others
  • Understanding my disability and limitations
  • Disclosing (or not) my disability to others
  • Describing my disability to others
  • Knowing which accommodations are effective in school and at work
Module 1 Intro
 
Topic 1 Think or discuss
Topic 2 Self-questionaire
Topic 3 Self-questionnaire followup
Topic 4 Strengths checklist
Module 2 Setting goals

Goal

  • Something you set out to do, something you work to make happen
  • Example: Becoming a student body representative

Problem

  • Something that keeps people from getting what they want
  • Example: Wanting to succeed in math class, but not knowing how

Plan

  • A detailed set of steps for doing or achieving something
  • Example: Reading 10 minutes of a book each day to work on reading

Evaluate

  • Looking at what you have done and determining if you achieved what you set out to do
  • Example: Looking at Biology quiz scores and determining if your plan to improve your grade worked

Types of goals

Short-term goals are goals you want to achieve in the next 12 months. This could be in the next few days, weeks, months, or within the year. 

Example: 

My goal is to apply for the management program at Mount Royal University by the end of the month. 

Long-term goals are goals you want to achieve in the next year or longer. Long-term goals typically are a year or several years from now.

Example: 

My goal is to become an assistant manager at work within the next 2 years. 

When making a goal you may need to make short-term goals within a long-term goal. 

It is best to set goals that are SMART. 

SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.

SMART GOALS:

S- Specific: Make a goal that is specific, what the goal is, where the goal is taking place, and why (what is the motivation for setting the goal.)

M - Measurable: How are you going to measure the goal to know it was successful?  This will let you know when you have achieved your goal. This could be measured by time, metrics, or concrete feedback. 

A- Achievable:  how will I achieve this goal? What supports will be put in place when making a plan? Is there someone that is going to help me with my goal?

R- Relevant: Does this goal align with my long-term goal? Is it something you believe you can achieve? Do you have the time and motivation for your goal? 

T- Timely: Make a deadline date to reach the goal 

Example: My goal is to get a job at a restaurant this Summer.

S: Apply for 3 restaurant server jobs this month on indeed 

M: Upload and submit my resume on my indeed profile and receive 3 submissions. 

A: Review my resume with my Job coach each week before sending it 

R: Apply to jobs to increase the likelihood of getting an interview 

T: Send out 1 resume every Friday for the next 3 weeks 

Topic 1 Module intro  - Preview
Topic 2 Looking back
Topic 3 SMART exercise
Module 3 Disclosure

Now that you have a better understanding of your strengths and areas where you may require support, it is time to learn about disclosure. Disclosure means intentionally releasing personal information about yourself for a specific purpose. In the context of school or employment, it is important to think about a) how your differences impact your ability to perform or learn and b) the support, environment, and services you will need in order to participate successfully and fully. Disclosure is personal and it is up to you how much sensitive information you wish to share. An Accommodation is a modification or adjustment that gives a person with a disability an equal opportunity to participate or perform in specific settings by eliminating or reducing any barriers. In general, some degree of disclosure is necessary to receive accommodations.

Topic 1 Disclosure  - Preview
Topic 2 Take a few moments
Topic 3 To disclose or not to disclose...that is the question!
Module 4 Accommodations

Any accommodation will need to meet your specific need. You have a right to reasonable accommodations. A reasonable accommodation does NOT require removing essential functions of a job or lowering performance standards. It does mean providing you with the support you need to be able to perform essential functions up to the expected standards. Here are some possible examples. Keep in mind this list is not exhaustive and there are extra points for you to add your own!

Possible workplace accommodations

  • Accessible work environment 
  • Environment modifications (i.e., quite a space provided or lower lighting options)
  • Flexible work schedule 
  • Adaptive equipment or devices (i.e., noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, gloves)
  • Telecommuting options
  • More frequent breaks 
  • Modified performance reviews 
  • Modified interview structure
  • Receiving interview questions in advance
  • Providing interpreters or reading assistance

Possible school accommodations

  • Audio recorded or written copies of lectures
  • Text to speech software to help with reading difficulties
  • Increased time limits or extra breaks to allow for increased processing time in exams 
  • Flexibility with due dates 
  • Modified instruction 
  • Accessible classrooms 
  • Modified curriculum 
  • Interpreters, note-takers, assistive software
Topic 1 Accommodations  - Preview
Topic 2 Who will you disclose to?
Topic 3 How will you disclose?
Topic 4 Exercise
Topic 5 Consider the following scenario:
Topic 6 Write your own statement
Topic 7 Know your rights
Topic 8 Rights and responsibilities
Topic 9 Resources