What We Do

Self Advocacy

Your voice shouldn’t simply be only heard, but valued. Your desires and opinions truly matter, and ultimately shape a better community for us all. At Providence, we’re not just here to listen; we’re here to support you in taking charge, whether it’s setting goals, making choices, or speaking up for what you want. We’ll help you build the confidence and toolkit you need to advocate for your best life. As you take the lead for yourself and your community, Providence will be by your side, ready to support you every step of the way.

These are our stories.

Real connections.
Real opportunities.
Real experiences.

Providence created a self-advocacy group in 2018 to provide a space for people to learn skills for speaking up for themselves and others, learning self-confidence, and discussing disability issues. In 2020, the group began meeting virtually every week where they continued those discussions and learned about their fundamental rights and history of the disability rights movement.

Today, they continue to meet to discuss important issues, but they also attend conferences and community events to share their voices and perspectives. They also publish an eMagazine, “Embrace Our Awesome Power” that highlights issues in the disability community, shares news and current events and helps to bring their message to more people. Additionally, they have created Providence TV, a channel on YouTube that allows them to share their thoughts and knowledge with an even larger community. The first show on Providence TV is Baking with Brittany, where she teaches the audience how to bake her favorite recipes.

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Austin painting with yellow paint while wearing a mask and harness.

Austin’s Story

Meet Austin, a caring young man who discovered his love for painting while working with Nakisha, actively improving his fine motor skills.

Eddie's Story

Eddie, a talented artist, recently illustrated a children's book titled "Kitty Kitty Meow Meow" written by his sister-in-law, Jessica.

Brittany's Story

This story spotlights Brittany and her Direct Support Professional (DSP), Sharon, who joined Providence in February 2022.

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“Self advocacy is not just showing yourself what you can do, it’s showing EVERYONE that you are capable of so much more than they think. That is what we at Providence are doing. We are self-advocating for ourselves and showing others that WE know what should be done for OURSELVES!”

- Megan Keller, Self Advocate

Group of smiling adults participating in a self advocacy program.

Self Advocacy Includes

Being informed of your fundamental/human rights
Right to privacy
Right to be free from abuse, neglect, and mistreatment
Right to self-determination
Right to being treated with respect and dignity
Right to having unrestricted communication
Right to ownership of property
Right to personal expression
Right to contract for services
Right to recommend changes in policy
Right to personal growth and independence

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