Individual Advocacy – Someone speaks up for one person
Example: Support worker helping with benefits
Peer Advocacy – Support from someone with lived experience
Example: Autistic mentor supporting autistic client
Citizen Advocacy – Volunteer advocates helping vulnerable people
Professional Advocacy – Paid professionals supporting rights
Example: School advocate or social worker
Image suggestion: Speech bubbles / group of people icon
Slide 6 – Types of Counselling Support
One-to-One Counselling – Private talking sessions
Group Counselling – People share experiences together
Family Counselling – Supports the whole family
Specialist Counselling – Disability, trauma, or mental health focused
Image suggestion: People talking in circle / family icon
Slide 7 – Key Differences
Advocacy
|
Counselling
|
Focuses on rights
|
Focuses on feelings
|
Challenges systems
|
Supports mental health
|
Removes barriers
|
Builds coping skills
|
Speaks up
|
Listens therapeutically
|
Simple Comparison:
Advocacy = external change, practical support
Counselling = internal change, emotional support
Image suggestion: Scales / comparison icon
Slide 8 – Empowerment vs Support
Advocacy = Empowerment
Helps people:
Find their voice
Know their rights
Make decisions
Gain independence
Counselling = Emotional Support
Helps people:
Heal emotionally
Understand feelings
Build confidence
Manage stress
Image suggestion: Hands holding heart + megaphone icon
Slide 9 – Learning Disabilities & Mental Health
People with LD may experience:
Anxiety
Depression
Low confidence
Stress at school or work 💼📚
Frustration
Support must be holistic – looking at both LD and mental health
Image suggestion: Brain + puzzle piece icon
Slide 10 – Self-Advocacy Empowerment
Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself. People learn to:
Understand their diagnosis
Know strengths
Explain what help they need
Ask for adjustments
Example: “I have dyslexia. I need extra time.”
Image suggestion: Person holding sign / speech bubble
Slide 11 – Mental Health Support
Counselling can help with:
Managing anxiety
Building confidence
Coping with stress
Reducing shame or stigma
Message: People learn they are not alone
Image suggestion: Heart + brain icon
Slide 12 – System Advocacy & Rights
Advocates help people understand:
School support plans (IEP / 504 Plan)
Disability laws
Anti-discrimination rights
Challenge unfair treatment
Image suggestion: Law book / school icon
Slide 13 – Role of the Counsellor
Counsellors provide:
Emotional support
Psychoeducation (learning about the condition)
Social skills groups
Coping strategies
Safe talking spaces
Connect home, school, and community services
Image suggestion: Person supporting another / network icon
Slide 14 – Family Support
Families may learn about:
Education rights
Special education law
Behaviour strategies
Emotional support skills
Benefit: Helps families support the individual
Image suggestion: Family icon / hands together
Slide 15 – Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation = learning about the condition:
What LD is
How it affects learning
Strengths and challenges
How to manage symptoms
Benefit: Builds confidence
Image suggestion: Book / lightbulb icon
Slide 16 – Conflict Resolution & Skills
Support may include:
Problem-solving skills
Communication skills
Managing anger
Social interaction skills
Benefit: Improves relationships at school, work, and home
Image suggestion: Puzzle pieces / talking icon
Slide 17 – Resource Connection
Advocates and counsellors link people to:
Community services
Support groups
Disability organizations
Mental health services
Peer networks
Message: No one must cope alone
Image suggestion: Network / globe icon
Slide 18 – Key Message
Advocacy + Counselling together:
Remove barriers
Protect rights
Support mental health
Build independence
Increase resilience
Image suggestion: Shield + heart + hands icon
Slide 19 – Knowledge Check / Quiz
Questions:
What does advocacy mean?
What does counselling help with?
Name one type of advocacy
Name one type of counselling
Which focuses on rights?
Which focuses on feelings?
Why might someone need an advocate?
Why might someone need counselling?
Answer Guide (Trainer Use):
Speaking up / rights support
Talking support for feelings and problems
Self / Individual / Peer / Citizen / Professional Advocacy
One-to-One / Group / Family / Specialist Counselling
Advocacy
Counselling
Communication barriers, school/work difficulties, service access problems
Anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-esteem
Image suggestion: Quiz icon / question mark
Slide 20 – Level 2 Summary
Advocacy + Counselling = holistic support
Supports independence and mental health
Families and systems are included
Builds knowledge, skills, and confidence
Image suggestion: Stars / empowerment symbol
✅ This structure now combines all Level 1 & Level
2 content in Easy Read format. Each slide has:
Title
Short bullet points
Symbols/images suggestions
Trainer notes for knowledge check
sation name
Trainer name
Date
Image suggestion: Person speaking / support symbol
Slide 2 – Learning Outcomes
By the end of this training, you will:
Understand advocacy and counselling
Know types of support
Recognise mental health challenges
Know when and how to get help
Image suggestion: Checklist / learning symbol
Slide 3 – What is Advocacy?
Advocacy means speaking up.
It helps people:
Know their rights
Get support
Remove barriers
Fix problems like:
Communication barriers
School/work difficulties
Service access problems
Image suggestion: Megaphone / person raising hand
Slide 4 – Why Counselling is Needed
Counselling helps people who experience:
·
Anxiety 😟
·
Depression 😔
·
Trauma
·
Bullying
·
Low self-esteem
Benefit: Supports emotional recovery
Image suggestion: Heart / brain / support symbol
Slide 5 – Types of Advocacy
Self-Advocacy – Speaking up for yourself
Example: “Asking for extra time in exams.”
Individual Advocacy – Someone speaks up for one person
Example: Support worker helping with benefits
Peer Advocacy – Support from someone with lived experience
Example: Autistic mentor supporting autistic client
Citizen Advocacy – Volunteer advocates helping vulnerable people
Professional Advocacy – Paid professionals supporting rights
Example: School advocate or social worker
Image suggestion: Speech bubbles / group of people icon
Slide 6 – Types of Counselling Support
·
One-to-One Counselling – Private talking
sessions
·
Group Counselling – People share experiences
together
·
Family Counselling – Supports the whole family
·
Specialist Counselling – Disability, trauma, or
mental health focused
Image suggestion: People talking in circle / family icon
Slide 7 – Key Differences
Advocacy
|
Counselling
|
Focuses on rights
|
Focuses on feelings
|
Challenges systems
|
Supports mental health
|
Removes barriers
|
Builds coping skills
|
Speaks up
|
Listens therapeutically
|
Simple Comparison:
·
Advocacy = external change, practical support
·
Counselling = internal change, emotional
support
Image suggestion: Scales / comparison icon
Slide 8 – Empowerment vs Support
Advocacy = Empowerment
Helps people:
·
Find their voice
·
Know their rights
·
Make decisions
·
Gain independence
Counselling = Emotional Support
Helps people:
·
Heal emotionally
·
Understand feelings
·
Build confidence
·
Manage stress
Image suggestion: Hands holding heart + megaphone icon
Slide 9 – Learning Disabilities & Mental Health
People with LD may experience:
·
Anxiety
·
Depression
·
Low confidence
·
Stress at school or work 💼📚
·
Frustration
Support must be holistic – looking at both LD and mental health
Image suggestion: Brain + puzzle piece icon
Slide 10 – Self-Advocacy Empowerment
Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself. People learn to:
·
Understand their diagnosis
·
Know strengths
·
Explain what help they need
·
Ask for adjustments
Example: “I have dyslexia. I need extra time.”
Image suggestion: Person holding sign / speech bubble
Slide 11 – Mental Health Support
Counselling can help with:
·
Managing anxiety
·
Building confidence
·
Coping with stress
·
Reducing shame or stigma
Message: People learn they are not alone
Image suggestion: Heart + brain icon
Slide 12 – System Advocacy & Rights
Advocates help people understand:
·
School support plans (IEP / 504 Plan)
·
Disability laws
·
Anti-discrimination rights
·
Challenge unfair treatment
Image suggestion: Law book / school icon
Slide 13 – Role of the Counsellor
Counsellors provide:
·
Emotional support
·
Psychoeducation (learning about the condition)
·
Social skills groups
·
Coping strategies
·
Safe talking spaces
·
Connect home, school, and community services
Image suggestion: Person supporting another / network icon
Slide 14 – Family Support
Families may learn about:
·
Education rights
·
Special education law
·
Behaviour strategies
·
Emotional support skills
Benefit: Helps families support the individual
Image suggestion: Family icon / hands together
Slide 15 – Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation = learning about the condition:
·
What LD is
·
How it affects learning
·
Strengths and challenges
·
How to manage symptoms
Benefit: Builds confidence
Image suggestion: Book / lightbulb icon
Slide 16 – Conflict Resolution & Skills
Support may include:
·
Problem-solving skills
·
Communication skills
·
Managing anger
Slide 7 – Counselling Support
Counselling helps clients:
Talk about feelings 💬
Manage anxiety 😟
Understand worries 🧠
Build coping skills 🎯
Image suggestion: Two people talking / heart symbol
Slide 8 – Learning Disabilities & Mental Health
Clients may experience:
Anxiety / depression
Stress or trauma
Low self-esteem
Support should be holistic – looking at both LD and mental health
Image suggestion: Brain + puzzle piece icon
Slide 9 – Working Together (Level 2)
Advocacy and counselling often work together:
Advocate gets school or workplace support
Counsellor supports emotional needs
Result: Whole-person / holistic support
Image suggestion: Puzzle pieces fitting together
Slide 10 – System Navigation
Advocates help with:
IEP plans / 504 Plans
Disability benefits
Workplace adjustments
Legal rights
Counsellors help with:
Emotional impact of these systems
Image suggestion: Law book + scales icon
Slide 11 – Benefits for People with Disabilities
Receiving advocacy & counselling can:
Increase independence 🏠
Improve confidence 👍
Reduce isolation 🌍
Improve education outcomes 📚
Support employment 💼
Image suggestion: Star / trophy / person standing strong
Slide 12 – Mental Health Benefits
Support can:
Reduce anxiety 😟
Improve mood 🙂
Build resilience 💪
Develop coping skills 🎯
Prevent crisis situations ⚠️
Image suggestion: Heart + brain icon
Slide 13 – Family Benefits
Families may gain:
Education about conditions 📘
Emotional support ❤️
Advocacy guidance 🗣
Communication skills 📝
Image suggestion: Family icon / hands together
Slide 14 – People with Lived Experience in the Field
Many advocates & counsellors have lived experience:
Learning disabilities ♿
Autism 🧩
ADHD ⚡
Mental health experience 🧠
Benefit: Brings understanding, empathy, relatability
Image suggestion: Person icon + heart / lightbulb
Slide 15 – Employment & Inclusion Benefits
Working in advocacy/counselling helps:
Disability representation
Inclusive workplaces
Service accessibility
Policy improvement
Message: “Nothing about us without us”
Image suggestion: Group of people / inclusion symbol
Slide 16 – Skills Needed in the Field
Advocacy Skills:
Communication 🗣
Rights knowledge 📘
Confidence 💪
Negotiation 🤝
Safeguarding awareness ⚠️
Counselling Skills:
Listening 👂
Empathy ❤️
Confidentiality 🔒
Emotional regulation 🧘
Boundaries 🚧
Image suggestion: Skill icons / checklist
Slide 17 – Key Messages – Level 2
Advocacy empowers voices 📢
Counselling heals emotions 💬
Both remove barriers 🚪
Both promote independence 🏠
Lived experience is powerful 🌟
Image suggestion: Heart + megaphone + hands icon
Slide 18 – Level 2 Knowledge Check
Questions:
How do advocacy and counselling work together?
Name one system advocates help navigate.
Give one benefit of receiving advocacy.
Give one mental health benefit of counselling.
How do families benefit?
Why is lived experience valuable?
Name one advocacy skill.
Name one counselling skill.
What does holistic support mean?
Why is disability representation important?
Answer Guide (Trainer Use):
Rights support + emotional support
IEP / Benefits / Workplace adjustments
Independence / confidence / access
Reduced anxiety / improved mood
Education / emotional support
Understanding & relatability
Communication / negotiation
Listening / empathy
Whole-person support
Inclusion & accessibility
Image suggestion: Quiz icon / question mark
✅ Slide 19 – Summary / End Slide
Advocacy + counselling = holistic support
Supports independence and mental health
Families and systems are included
Builds knowledge, skills, and confidence
Image suggestion: Stars / empowerment symbol
Social interaction skills
Benefit: Improves relationships at school, work, and home
Image suggestion: Puzzle pieces / talking icon
Slide 17 – Resource Connection
Advocates and counsellors link people to:
Community services
Support groups
Disability organisations
Mental health services
Peer networks
Message: No one has to cope alone
Image suggestion: Network / globe icon
Slide 18 – Key Message
Advocacy + Counselling together:
Remove barriers
Protect rights
Support mental health
Build independence
Increase resilience
Image suggestion: Shield + heart + hands icon
Slide 19 – Knowledge Check / Quiz
Questions:
What does advocacy mean?
What does counselling help with?
Name one type of advocacy
Name one type of counselling
Which focuses on rights?
Which focuses on feelings?
Why might someone need an advocate?
Why might someone need counselling?
Answer Guide (Trainer Use):
Speaking up / rights support
Talking support for feelings and problems
Self / Individual / Peer / Citizen / Professional Advocacy
One-to-One / Group / Family / Specialist Counselling
Advocacy
Counselling
Communication barriers, school/work difficulties, service access
problems
Anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-esteem
Image suggestion: Quiz icon / question mark
Slide 20 – Level 2 Summary
·
Advocacy + Counselling = holistic support
·
Supports independence and mental health
·
Families and systems are included
·
Builds knowledge, skills, and confidence
Image suggestion: Stars / empowerment symbol
✅ This structure now combines all Level 1 &
Level 2 content in Easy Read format. Each slide has:
·
Title
·
Short bullet points
·
Symbols/images suggestions
·
Trainer notes for knowledge check
Social interaction skills
Benefit: Improves relationships at school, work, and home
Image suggestion: Puzzle pieces / talking icon
Slide 13 – Resource Connection
Advocates and counsellors link people to:
Community services
Support groups
Disability organisations
Mental health services
Peer networks
Message: No one has to cope alone
Image suggestion: Network / globe icon
Slide 14 – Key Message
Advocacy + Counselling together:
Remove barriers
Protect rights
Support mental health
Build independence
Increase resilience
Image suggestion: Shield + heart + hands
Slide 15 – Knowledge Check / Quiz
Questions:
What does advocacy mean?
What is counselling?
Name one mental health difficulty linked to LD
What is self-advocacy?
What school support plan might advocates help with?
Who do counsellors support besides the individual?
What is psychoeducation?
Why is family support important?
Name one skill taught in counselling
What is the main goal of advocacy and counselling together?
Answer Guide (Trainer Use):
Speaking up for rights / support
Talking support for feelings and problems
Anxiety / Depression / Stress / Low self-esteem
Speaking up for yourself
IEP / 504 Plan
Families / Schools / Communities
Learning about the diagnosis / condition
Helps them support the individual
Communication / Problem-solving / Emotional regulation
Empowerment, support, independence, removing barriers
Image suggestion: Quiz icon / question mark
Slide 16 – Level 2 Summary
Advocacy + Counselling = holistic support
Supports independence and mental health
Families and systems are included
Builds knowledge, skills, and confidence
Image suggestion: Stars / empowerment symbol
Easy Read Design Tips
Use large font (28+), Arial or Calibri
Short sentences, bullet points
Symbols (Widgit / Boardmaker)
High contrast colours
Calm, uncluttered layout
Easy Read PowerPoint – Advocacy & Counselling (Level 1 & 2)
SLIDE 1 – Title Slide
Title: Advocacy & Counselling Skills
Subtitle: Learning Disabilities & Mental Health – Level 1 & 2
Include: Organisation name, Trainer name, Date
Image: People supporting each other
SLIDE 2 – Learning Outcomes
By the end you will:
Understand what advocacy means
Know what counselling is
Learn different advocacy levels
Understand empowerment vs support
Recognize why advocacy matters
Image: Checklist / learning symbol
LEVEL 1 – Awareness
SLIDE 3 – What is Advocacy?
Advocacy means:
Speaking up for yourself or others 🗣
Helping people know their rights 📘
Removing barriers 🚪
Challenging unfair treatment ⚖️
SLIDE 4 – What is Counselling?
Counselling is talking support 💬
It helps people:
Share feelings ❤️
Talk about worries 😟
Feel listened to 👂
Learn coping skills 🎯
SLIDE 5 – Why People Need Advocacy
Some people face:
Discrimination ❌
Communication barriers 🗨️
School/work difficulties 🏫💼
Access issues 🏥
Advocates help solve these problems.
SLIDE 6 – Why People Need Counselling
People may experience:
Anxiety 😟
Depression 😔
Trauma ⚠️
Bullying 😢
Low self-esteem 💔
Counselling supports emotional recovery.
SLIDE 7 – Types of Advocacy
Self-Advocacy: Speaking up for yourself
Individual Advocacy: Someone speaks up for one person
Peer Advocacy: Support from someone with lived experience
Citizen Advocacy: Volunteer advocates helping vulnerable people
Professional Advocacy: Paid professionals supporting rights
SLIDE 8 – Types of Counselling Support
One-to-One: Private sessions
Group Counselling: People share experiences
Family Counselling: Supports the whole family
Specialist Counselling: Focused on disability, trauma, or mental health
SLIDE 9 – Key Differences
Advocacy
|
Counselling
|
Focuses on rights
|
Focuses on feelings
|
Challenges systems
|
Builds coping skills
|
Practical support
|
Psychological support
|
External change
|
Internal change
|
SLIDE 10 – Empowerment vs Support
Advocacy = Empowerment
Find voice
Know rights
Make decisions
Gain independence
Counselling = Emotional Support
Heal emotionally
Understand feelings
Build confidence
Manage stress
SLIDE 11 – Public & Professional Advocacy
Public Advocacy: Educates, reduces stigma, raises awareness 🌍
Professional Advocacy: Supports fair pay, safe workloads, professional
recognition 💼
SLIDE 12 – Level 1 Knowledge Check
Questions:
What is advocacy?
Who do counsellors advocate for?
What is empowerment?
Give one example of advocacy
Answers:
Speaking up / rights support
Clients / students
Helping people find their voice
School support / adjustments
LEVEL 2 – Deeper Understanding
SLIDE 13 – Systemic Advocacy
Changing systems:
School policies 🏫
Healthcare access 🏥
Funding services 💰
Anti-discrimination law ⚖️
SLIDE 14 – Legislative Advocacy
Counsellors may:
Lobby government 🏛️
Support new laws 📜
Campaign for funding 💸
Promote mental health parity 🧠
SLIDE 15 – Levels of Advocacy
Individual: Supporting one client
Group: Therapy / disability groups
Community: Local programs, school projects
Societal/Political: Policy change, law reform, national campaigns
SLIDE 16 – Working with Clients
Collaboration 🤝
Listening to client voice 👂
Building personal power 💪
Challenging injustice together ⚖️
SLIDE 17 – Why Advocacy Matters
Advocacy helps:
Remove barriers 🚪
Improve access to care 🏥
Promote equality ⚖️
Support wellbeing ❤️
SLIDE 18 – Social Justice Role
Counsellors consider:
Culture 🌍
Disability ♿
Inequality ❌
Discrimination ⚠️
Ethical practice includes advocacy.
SLIDE 19 – Empowerment vs Support
Advocacy
|
Counselling
|
Rights focus
|
Feelings focus
|
Action focus
|
Emotional healing
|
System change
|
Coping support
|
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