Merrick, Inc., offers unique opportunities for clients to increase self-esteem, become empowered, learn about their rights, be more expressive, develop friendships, and support each other. Through self-advocacy activities clients have:

Been encouraged to make changes in their own lives.

Provided input on how services are delivered.

Helped make a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

Merrick's self-advocates have participated in many exciting activities over the years. The following are some of the highlights from the past two years:

2005

Presented at the State Self-Advocacy Conference

Presented at the Partners in Policy Making workshop

One member appointed to the MN Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities

2006

• Attended Disability Day at the Capitol
• Presented at the Putting People First workshop
• Presented at the Partners in Policy Making workshop
• Presented at the Creative Options conference
• Many self-advocates registered to vote for the first time and learned about the new Auto Mark system for voting

As a result of our efforts in this area Merrick, Inc., has developed an extensive resource library on self-advocacy related materials and has developed three videotapes on different aspects of self-advocacy. Please contact info@merrickinc.org for information on how to order any of our videotapes.

The following is a brief section of the script from the videotape entitled Find the Power within You that answers the question of "What is self-advocacy?"

To speak up for myself. To let others know what I think or feel. Talk about my freedom. Speak up for myself. Stick up for myself, let others know what I think, how I feel and fight for it. I've learned how to behave myself in the group and out of the group - I love I - I straightened out problems. I should determine what I want. Stick up for my rights, let them know if there is something I want and keep bugging them to get it. I learn about changes in my own life. Help know what issues are out there and I can ask questions. Work as a group to come up with ideas. I have more choices and they are up to me. I want people to listen - I am important.