Get up to speed with advocacy, prepare the story you want to tell or publish, and practice it until you
are comfortable speaking out.
Understand advocacy and the power of your story
Documents and Links
| Item | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Value of Self Advocacy | Handout (PDF) | Know the value of self-advocacy |
| https://www.congress.gov/state-legislature-websites | Link | Use this to find your state legislative website |
| Trauma-Informed Storytelling Practices | Handout (PDF) | Use to create a safe space to craft your story |
Videos
Rosette Royale: Why Your Story Matters
Erin Jones: Creating Brave Spaces
Dr. PageCarol Woods: Four Ways to Overcome Trauma in Telling Your Story
Craft your story
Documents and Links
| Item | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| How to Craft Your Story | Handout (PDF) | Guide to crafting your story |
| Tips for Creating Your Story | Handout (PDF) | Tips from a WA-SEN student |
| Sharing Your Story | Worksheet (PDF) | Walks you through the process of writing your story |
| Finding Your Voice | Worksheet (PDF) | Allows you to draft your story quickly |
Videos
Franny Anunobi advocates for college funding
Irina Ortega tells her college story
Richie Martinez tells his college story
Practice your story
Documents and Links
| Item | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Role Play Script (short) | Sample script (PDF) | Shows what a role play exercise looks like |
| Role Play Script (long) | Sample script (PDF) | Shows what a role play exercise looks like |
| Overcoming Objections | Worksheet (PDF) | Walks you through the role play exercise |
Write an Op-Ed
Documents and Links
| Item | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| How to Write an Op-Ed | Handout (PDF) | How to write an effective Op-Ed |
| Op-Ed | Example (PDF) | Op-Ed advocating for college funding |
Prepare your message for social media
Videos
Tell Compelling Stories in the Digital Space
Prepare to testify
Documents and Links
| Item | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Get Ready for Testimony | Worksheet (PDF) | Prepare your message to give testimony in a committee hearing |
| Build Your Speech for a Hearing | Handout (PDF) | Tips to write your testimony by a WA-SEN student |
Videos
Get Ready to Use Your Voice
Submit Written Testimony
Testify in a Committee Hearing