📘 What Is Advocacy?

 

Advocacy is defined as any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others. It encompasses a broad range of activities aimed at influencing public opinion and policy.Missouri Foundation for Health+1Ultragenyx Patient Advocacy+1

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🔍 Advocacy vs. Lobbying

While lobbying is a form of advocacy, not all advocacy is lobbying. Lobbying specifically refers to activities that attempt to influence legislation, whereas advocacy includes a wider array of actions such as public education, community organizing, and more.Missouri Foundation for Health

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🛠️ Examples of Advocacy Activities

The fact sheet outlines various advocacy activities, including:

• Organizing: Building grassroots power, such as the Center for Intercultural Organizing in Portland, OR, which mobilizes immigrant and refugee communities.Missouri Foundation for Health
• Educating Legislators: Providing information on issues, exemplified by NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin's distribution of fact sheets to state legislators.Missouri Foundation for Health
• Public Education on the Legislative Process: Introducing communities to their legislators, like Utah Issues' annual Citizens Day at the state capitol.Missouri Foundation for Health
• Research: Producing reports to inform and dispel myths, such as the California Immigrant Policy Center's report on immigrants and the U.S. healthcare system.
• Organizing Rallies: Mobilizing for causes, demonstrated by the Fair Immigration Reform Movement's rally in Washington, D.C.
• Regulatory Efforts: Engaging with agencies to enforce or change regulations, as seen with CASA of Maryland's work with the state's Motor Vehicle Administration.
• Public Education: Holding community forums on pertinent issues, like Rights for All People's discussions on immigration.
• Nonpartisan Voter Education and Mobilization: Encouraging civic participation, exemplified by CARECEN of Los Angeles and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
• Educational Conferences: Gathering to network and plan, such as the National Council of La Raza's annual conference.
• Training: Teaching organizing skills, like the United States Student Association's Grassroots Organizing Weekends.
• Litigation: Using legal action to support causes, demonstrated by El Centro Humanitario para los Trabajadores' efforts to recover unpaid wages.Katz+2Missouri Foundation for Health+2Recovery Iowa+2
• Lobbying: Advocating for or against specific legislation, as the Florida Immigrant Coalition does to support in-state tuition for undocumented students.

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📈 Getting Involved in Advocacy

The fact sheet encourages organizations to educate themselves about current policies and consider how advocacy can play a role in their programs. It suggests evaluating the organization's mission and goals to determine how advocacy efforts can address community issues effectively.Alliance for Justice+2Alliance for Justice+2Missouri Foundation for Health+2

Summarize it for younger audiences or students

  Extract key definitions and examples for a presentation or worksheet

  Create a comparison chart of advocacy vs. lobbying

  Suggest ways your group or class could take advocacy actions

What Is Advocacy?

Definition: Advocacy means standing up for a cause, issue, or group. It involves actions that influence decisions in society—especially in policy, law, and public opinion.

🔍 Key Types of Advocacy

• Self-Advocacy – Speaking up for yourself
• Peer Advocacy – Supporting others in your community
• Public Advocacy – Raising awareness through campaigns, petitions, media
• Legal Advocacy – Using the legal system to protect rights
• Policy Advocacy – Working to change laws or policies

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⚖️ Legal Aspects of Advocacy

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

• Human Rights Act 1998: Protects freedom of expression and peaceful protest
• Equality Act 2010: Supports advocacy for anti-discrimination
• Lobbying Act 2014: Regulates campaigning during elections
• Charity Law: Allows charities to campaign on issues if it supports their purpose

🔹 Note: Advocacy is legal but must be peaceful and respectful of others’ rights.

🇺🇸 United States

• First Amendment: Protects freedom of speech, assembly, and petition
• 501(c)(3) Law: Nonprofits can advocate, but lobbying must be limited
• Lobbying Disclosure Act (1995): Regulates lobbying activities and requires registration
• Civil Rights Acts: Support advocacy for equality and anti-discrimination

🔹 Note: Advocacy is broadly protected, but organizations must follow lobbying rules.

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📚 Examples of Advocacy in Action

 

Type UK Example US Example Education Students campaigning for mental health services Parent groups promoting inclusive education laws Health NHS campaigners raising awareness of patient rights Disability rights groups influencing Medicaid policies Workers' Rights Trade unions fighting wage inequality Fast food workers advocating for a $15 minimum wage Equality LGBTQ+ groups promoting anti-hate crime laws Black Lives Matter marches and policy proposals ·                     🎯 Classroom or Workplace Activities

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• Role Play: Act out a meeting with a policymaker
• Debate: Choose a current issue and argue for change
• Poster or Social Media Campaign: Design advocacy materials
• Guest Speaker: Invite a local advocate or MP/Representative

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Printable Handout: “What Is Advocacy?” – UK & USA Edition

🗣️ What Is Advocacy?

Advocacy means standing up for a cause or helping others have their voice heard. It includes actions that influence public opinion, laws, and decision-making.

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📌

Printable Handout: “What Is Advocacy?” – UK & USA Edition

🗣️ What Is Advocacy?

Advocacy means standing up for a cause or helping others have their voice heard. It includes actions that influence public opinion, laws, and decision-making.

📌 Types of Advocacy

Type Description Example Self-Advocacy Speaking up for your rights or needs Asking for accommodations at work Peer Advocacy Helping others speak up or navigate systems A colleague supporting a disabled coworker in a meeting Legal Advocacy Using the law or legal system to protect rights Challenging discrimination in court Public Advocacy Raising awareness in public Running a social media campaign Policy Advocacy Trying to change laws or policies Meeting with an MP or Representative

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Basic Advocacy UK Vision part 2.

 

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy means providing support and empowerment tailored to each person’s unique situation. It’s about standing by someone’s side, respecting their rights, and helping them make informed choices on their terms. Advocacy is not the same as care work or support work. For example, an advocate cannot help someone clean their house or go shopping. Instead, they focus on ensuring the person’s voice is heard and their rights are upheld.

Advocacy is the act of supporting, empowering, and standing up for individuals or groups—especially those who may struggle to speak for themselves. It involves helping people express their views, understand their rights, make informed decisions, and have their voices heard.

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The Role of an Advocate

An advocate helps clients by:

·         Listening to their needs and concerns

·         Supporting them to express their views

·         Empowering them to make informed choices

·         Encouraging self-confidence and independence

·         Representing them when needed (e.g., in meetings or legal settings)

Advocates do not make decisions for clients but help them understand their options and speak up for what they want.

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Forms of Advocacy

Advocacy can take many forms, including:

·         Individual (One-to-One) Advocacy: Supporting someone in a specific situation (e.g., accessing services, benefit appeals).

·         Group Advocacy: Supporting a group with shared concerns or goals.

·         Self-Advocacy: Encouraging individuals to speak up for themselves.

·         Peer Advocacy: When someone with similar experiences helps another person.

·         Public Advocacy: Speaking out on broader issues to create change in policy or society.

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Examples of Advocacy Activities

·         Lobbying for changes in law or policy

·         Supporting benefit appeals and legal rights

·         Public speaking and storytelling to raise awareness

·         Writing letters, emails, or articles to influence decisions

·         Organizing community events or awareness campaigns

·         Building client confidence and skills

·         Researching issues and publishing findings

·         Working with others in coalitions or campaigns

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Advocacy in Action

Advocacy might involve:

·         Helping someone understand and access their legal rights

·         Supporting a person to speak in a care plan meeting

·         Campaigning for better services or inclusion in the community

·         Raising awareness of hidden disabilities or mental health issues

 

1 Voice's Definition of Advocacy

“Advocacy is a tool to support people so that they can accept responsibility for their situation. It’s about knowing when to support and when to empower someone to act for themselves.”

My Definition of Advocacy

·   Self-Advocacy: Speaking up to yourself and making your own choices.

·   Peer Advocacy: Supporting someone else to speak up and make their own decisions.

·   Group Advocacy: Speaking up for the rights of others, for example, campaigning against unfair changes to the benefits system.

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Aims of Advocacy

·   Empower people to build their skills and confidence.

·   Support clients in becoming more independent and self-aware.

·   Make complex information easier to understand.

·   Speak up with clients only when they choose and request it.

·   Encourage clients to think for themselves and make their own informed decisions.

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Key Principles of Advocacy

Equal Opportunities

Advocacy must be open to all. Advocacy schemes should have a clear Equal Opportunities Policy and actively tackle discrimination, inequality, and social exclusion.

Independence

Advocacy services should be independent from service providers and other statutory bodies, reducing conflicts of interest. This ensures the advocate works only for the client.

Putting People First

Clients’ wishes must come first. Advocates should be respectful, non-judgmental, and committed to listening to the person they support.

Support for Advocates

Advocates need proper training and ongoing support to develop the skills and confidence needed for their role.

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Code of Conduct

A code of conduct sets out clear rules and expectations for advocates. It helps them know:

·   What they can and cannot do.

·   How to best support their clients.

·   That they must follow the client's lead and act with respect.

·   They should not share their personal opinions or pressure clients into decisions.

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Instructed Advocacy

This type of advocacy is based on the client’s instructions. Advocates should:

·   Use clear, accessible information.

·   Help clients understand their options without giving direct advice.

·   Listen and offer support, not make decisions for the client.