An essential consideration for expressing one’s needs, desires, and feelings is the concept of self-advocacy. While all of us can practice self-advocacy in various settings, such as at work, in our communities, and with friends, family, and peers, the skill of self-advocacy is essential for individuals with disabilities. We spoke with Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Tyler D. Owens about this topic as we conclude our observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
What is Self-Advocacy?
Tyler D. Owens, MA, CRC, is the SCPP Student Engagement Coordinator for Able South Carolina, and he shared some insights with us on self-advocacy as a crucial skill for all people, especially individuals with disabilities. “Self-advocacy is a foundational life skill that teaches you how to speak up for yourself,” Tyler explains. “It teaches you how to effectively communicate your wants and needs in order to live a productive, meaningful, and engaged life. Without this one skill, other important life skills such as job attainment, financial management, navigating transportation, and living independently in your own home wouldn’t be possible.”
Tyler’s own experience with disability has also shaped his experience and understanding of self-advocacy. “Specifically, as a person with cerebral palsy, self-advocacy has been a critical skill as I have transitioned from high school to college and now into independent living,” Tyler shares. “Having strong self-advocacy skills is what allowed me to confidently intern in Germany, study abroad in Russia, and live and work independently in three different states. I would not be where I am now had it not been for my persistent self-advocacy skill development.”
Discussing Self-Advocacy with Clients
For Certified Rehabilitation Counselors, self-advocacy is an important topic to discuss and explore with clients. Tyler emphasized the importance of initiating a conversation on self-advocacy early in the client-counselor relationship. “Self-advocacy starts on day one,” he says. “The moment a consumer is asked, ‘What are your goals?’ they’re invited to speak up, make choices, and take ownership of their future. From there, each conversation helps them practice using their voice—expressing what they want for their personal life, their career, and their independence.
Self-advocacy is an important topic to discuss, but it also embodies everything Tyler does in his work. “At Able SC, a Center for Independent Living (CIL) in South Carolina, self-advocacy isn’t just a topic we teach—it’s the foundation of everything we do. In a CIL, the consumer is always in the driver’s seat. Staff members, most of whom also have disabilities, walk beside them by offering resources, mentorship, and community connections. Our peer-to-peer, disability-led approach is what makes CILs unique. We believe people with disabilities are the experts in their own lives, and when given the tools and confidence to speak up, they can lead the way. This is the independent living philosophy in action: empowering individuals to direct their own paths, make informed decisions, and live full, self-determined lives; not just in one moment, but across a lifetime.”
Self-Advocacy and Disability in the Workplace
For anyone, self-advocacy is especially important in the workplace. Finding ways to express what you need to succeed with employers can be challenging, but it is worth the effort and commitment. “At work, advocating for yourself might mean requesting accommodations, clarifying expectations, or offering solutions when barriers get in the way,” Tyler shares. “But those same skills don’t stay at the office. They show up in the doctor’s office when you ask for the treatment that truly meets your needs. They show up at home and in your community when you speak honestly with friends, family, and leaders about accessibility, respect, and inclusion.
“Like any skill, it’s also something that can improve with time,” Tyler confirms. “Self-advocacy is a life skill—one that grows stronger every time we use it. With each conversation, we build confidence, we claim our space, and we shape environments where we can thrive. And there’s a powerful ripple effect: when we use our voices, others notice. Our courage can open doors for the next person, helping more people with disabilities be seen, heard, and valued. When we advocate for ourselves, we’re not just improving our own lives; we’re pushing our world toward equity, one voice at a time.”
If you enjoyed Tyler’s insights on self-advocacy, we’ll be featuring an additional blog in the future, including his interest in how financial literacy and disability intersect.
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