Shark Notes: Encouraging Self-Advocacy

Shark Notes is a brief summary of an article that our staff has found valuable, and here are the highlights from the latest article: Encouraging Self-Advocacy: How to Build Environments for Awareness and Self-Disclosure for Learners with Disabilities 

Summary:  

As a professor, it can be challenging to learn about the capabilities as well as the needs of students with disabilities. This article discusses what professors can do to build an inclusive and effective learning environment that encourages self-advocacy.   

Highlights:   

What type of language to use? – Respectful language and courteous behavior make students with disabilities feel safe and inclusive and may be encouraged for self-disclosure. When speaking with students, use the word “we” to show a sense of inclusion and belonging.  

Why and how should we build classroom communities? – Classroom communities should be a place where all students’ voices are heard. Professors need to model inclusion and keep in mind that kindness, trust, and acceptance are the elements of building inclusive classroom communities. Ice breaker activities can be introduced to start building classroom communities.   

Acknowledge professors’ responsiveness – The Professor is a leader in the classroom and has the responsibility for building trust between professors and all students. Trust is a cornerstone of an inclusive classroom. Dr. Brevetti initiated a disclosure interaction by sharing her astigmatism and vision impairment with her student. Her student with a disability did the same with her.   

Melissa Brevetti, PhD & Bradley Mays, PhD (2021, May 5). Encouraging Self-Advocacy: How to Build Environments for Awareness and Self-Disclosure for Learners with Disabilities. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/equality-inclusion-and-diversity/encouraging-self-advocacy-how-to-build-environments-for-awareness-and-self-disclosure-for-learners-with-disabilities/?st=FFdaily;sc=FF210505;utm_term=FF210505&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Encouraging+Self-Advocacy%3A+How+to+Build+Environments+for+Awareness+and+Self-Disclosure+for+Learners+with+Disabilities&utm_campaign=FF210505