My voice has value.
I have the right to be listened to.
These are the first two themes we focus on in our Art of Self-Advocacy classes. 
As we begin our Summer session, we have two full classes of awesome self-advocates joining us in-person and online. The first two weeks of a session are all about getting to know one another, finding the rhythm of each class, and using our themes to start our dialogue about self-advocacy.
My voice has value.
When we think of our “voices” we tend to think of verbal or written communication. Upstream Arts has always honored all the forms our voices can take. A drum, a curvy orange shape made with paint, a tall statue with arms stretching up to the sky. When we dive into our artistic practice of My voice has value we remind our self-advocates that their unique choices of how to express themselves are valid and have value. Verbal communication is not the only or by any means the best way to express a choice or idea. Noticing how a participant draws or drums is just as informative as the sound they make or the shapes they put on the paper.
By working with the arts as a vehicle for expression, we expand our voices together.
I have the right to be listened to.
Often when we talk about self-advocacy, the onus of speaking up is put on the self-advocate. “They need to be able to articulate their wants and needs clearly.” In our classes we acknowledge that even when we are crystal clear in our communication, if no one is actively listening to our self-advocacy, we won’t get anywhere. In our classes, we practice that self-advocacy requires listening on the part of who we are advocating to, and we encourage the family members and supporters who accompany self-advocates to these classes to get curious and creative in their listening. Sometimes an adjustment needs to be made on the part of the listener, not the self-advocate, and we demonstrate this skill through acting scenarios in class. When a participant experiences someone adjusting to their rhythm instead of expecting the self-advocate to express themselves in a prescriptive way, self advocates feel seen, heard, and most importantly empowered.
Our summer session has a number of returning self-advocates and it’s so exciting to see them become leaders in each class – making room for our newer participants and affirming these new friends and for themselves that all their voices have value. Check back for more updates from this Summer’s Art of Self-Advocacy Classes!
Written by Cristina Castro, Teaching Artist & Self Advocacy Program Lead