Your Voice Lesson Plan Your Voice, Your Job
Instructional Lesson Plan
Time
2 Hours
Audience
Adult Male with Disabilities (Tier 3)
Objective
Identify personal strengths, articulate needs, and develop effective communication strategies for self-advocacy in job searching and maintaining employment.
Rationale
Effective self-advocacy is crucial for navigating the job market and workplace successfully. This lesson equips students with tools to confidently communicate their abilities and requirements, leading to greater job satisfaction and career stability.
Preparation (20 Minutes)
Review all generated materials: Warm-Up, Strengths Worksheet, Reading, Message Activity, Role-Play Script, Discussion Prompts, Quiz, Cool-Down, and Slide Deck.
Print physical copies of the worksheet, reading, quiz, and cool-down for the student.
Ensure whiteboard or large paper and markers are available.
Set up the Slide Deck for presentation.
Materials Required
Whiteboard & Markers
Pen/Pencil
Warm-Up Sheet
Strengths Worksheet
Reading Passage
Message Activity Sheet
Interview Script
Discussion Prompts
Quiz & Answer Key
Slide Deck
Instructional Steps
1. Warm-Up: What is Advocacy?
10 Minutes
Begin by using the Self-Advocacy Warm-Up sheet.
Ask the student: "When you hear the word 'advocacy,' what comes to mind?" Write down responses on the whiteboard.
Discuss the concept of self-advocacy and its importance in daily life, especially in job searching and working.
2. Understanding Your Strengths
25 Minutes
Present Slide 2 of the Slide Deck.
Distribute the Understanding Your Strengths Worksheet.
Guide the student through identifying personal strengths, skills, and unique abilities. Encourage thinking about past experiences where they excelled.
Discuss how these strengths can be highlighted during a job search.
3. Reading & Discussion
25 Minutes
Present Slide 3 of the Slide Deck.
Provide the Advocacy in Action Reading.
Allow time for reading, then facilitate a discussion using the Job Retention Discussion Prompts.
Explore scenarios where advocacy is important for securing and retaining a job.
4. Crafting Your Message & Role-Play
40 Minutes
Present Slides 4 & 5. Introduce the Crafting Your Message Activity.
Guide the student in crafting clear statements about strengths and needs using "I" statements.
Use the Interview Role-Play Script to practice in a simulated setting. Focus on communicating needs and asking questions.
5. Quiz
10 MIN
Administer the Advocacy Quiz and review answers together.
6. Cool-Down
10 MIN
Complete the Next Steps Cool-Down and discuss practical application.
Your Voice Slide Deck YOUR VOICE, YOUR JOB
Mastering Self-Advocacy
Empowering You to Succeed in Your Job Search and Career!
What Makes You, YOU?
Understanding Your Strengths
Identify your skills, talents, and positive qualities.
Think about past successes and challenges you've overcome.
How can these strengths help you in a job?
Speaking Up for Yourself
Advocacy in Action
What is self-advocacy?
Why is it important for getting a job?
Why is it important for keeping a job?
When would you need to advocate?
"Self-advocacy is about understanding your rights and asking for what you need to succeed."
Say It Loud, Say It Clear!
Crafting Your Message
1 How to clearly communicate your strengths.
2 How to clearly communicate your needs.
3 Using "I" statements.
Practice Makes Progress!
Role Play: Interview Scenarios
Practicing confidently communicating your needs.
Asking questions about workplace support.
Receiving feedback.
Time to Role Play
Did It Click?
Checking Your Understanding
Quick quiz on self-advocacy concepts. We'll review the answers together and clear up any questions!
Your Journey Continues!
Next Steps & Resources
Actionable steps for your job search.
Remember: your voice is powerful!
Continue practicing daily.
YOU ARE YOUR OWN BEST ADVOCATE
Interview Role-Play Script Interview Role-Play Script
Instructional Activity Guide
Facilitator Copy
Approx. 20-30 mins
Teacher Instructions:
Set the scene for the student. You are the interviewer for a "Customer Service Representative" position. Encourage the student to use "I" statements and highlight their strengths while clearly stating their needs. Allow time for the student to formulate their response before prompting.
Teacher: "Welcome! Today, we're going to practice a common scenario: a job interview. This is a great opportunity to practice speaking up for yourself and confidently communicating your strengths and needs. I will be the interviewer, and you will be the job candidate. Let's imagine you are interviewing for a 'Customer Service Representative' position. Are you ready to begin? Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, just practice!"
1 Scenario 1: Communicating a Strength
Interviewer:
"Good morning. Thank you for coming in today. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and why you're interested in this Customer Service Representative position?"
Student:
Provide positive feedback on their highlighted skills before moving to Scenario 2.
2 Scenario 2: Advocating for an Accommodation
Interviewer:
"During this role, our customer service representatives often work with a dual monitor setup, which requires some quick visual transitions. Do you foresee any challenges with this, or do you have any questions about our typical workstation setup?"
Student:
Look for: Clear expression of needs and proposed solutions.
3 Scenario 3: Asking a Clarifying Question
Interviewer:
"We pride ourselves on a supportive team environment. What kind of support system is most helpful for you in a new role?"
Student:
Reflection & Debrief
Teacher: "Great job with the role-play! How did that feel? What did you find challenging? What felt good or empowering?"
Teacher: "Those are great reflections. Remember, practice is key. The more you practice articulating your strengths and needs, the more confident you'll become."
Understanding Your Strengths Worksheet Understanding Your Strengths
What Makes You, YOU?
Name: _____________________
Date: ______________________
It's important to know your strengths so you can share them confidently with employers! Let's explore what makes you unique and capable.
Part 1: Your Skills and Talents
Think about things you are good at, tasks you enjoy, or skills you have developed (from school, past jobs, hobbies, or daily life).
1. List 3-5 skills or talents you possess:
2. Choose one skill from your list. Describe a time you used this skill successfully. What was the situation? What was the outcome?
Part 2: Your Positive Qualities
Examples: organized, reliable, friendly, patient, creative, problem-solver, detail-oriented.
1. List 3-5 positive qualities you have:
2. Choose one quality. How would this quality make you a valuable employee?
Part 3: Overcoming Challenges
1. Describe a challenge you faced and how you worked to overcome it. What did you learn from this experience?
2. How might the lessons learned from this challenge be beneficial in a job setting?
Part 4: Connecting to Your Job Search
1. Imagine you are in a job interview. How would you introduce yourself by highlighting one of your key strengths or qualities?
Advocacy in Action Reading Advocacy in Action
Finding Your Voice for Work
Self-advocacy is about speaking up for yourself and your needs. It means understanding your rights, making your own choices, and asking for what you need to succeed. For anyone, but especially for adults with disabilities, self-advocacy is a powerful tool in finding and keeping a job.
Why is Self-Advocacy Important for Getting a Job?
Imagine you are applying for a job. An employer wants to hire someone who can do the work well and fit into the team. Self-advocacy helps you communicate your needs clearly and confidently.
Highlighting Your Strengths
Knowing your strengths and how they relate to the job is a form of self-advocacy. You are advocating for why you are the right person for the role.
Discussing Accommodations
If you need a specific tool or a quiet workspace, self-advocacy allows you to explain this to a potential employer. For example: "I work best with written instructions."
Showing Confidence
When you can clearly articulate your needs and plans, it shows a proactive attitude that employers often appreciate.
Why is Self-Advocacy Important for Keeping a Job?
Getting the job is one step, but thriving in it requires continued advocacy. Workplaces are dynamic, and your needs might change.
Maintaining Productivity: If a new task makes it difficult for you to perform, advocating for a different approach can help you stay successful.Resolving Conflicts: Misunderstandings happen. Self-advocacy helps you calmly explain your perspective to a supervisor, leading to better solutions.Growth and Development: If you want to learn new skills, you need to advocate for those opportunities by asking about training or projects.Protecting Your Rights: Laws like the ADA ensure equal opportunities. Self-advocacy is key to exercising these rights if needed.
How to Self-Advocate Effectively
1
Know Yourself
2
Know Your Rights
3
Be Clear and Direct
4
Practice Often
5
Be Prepared
6
Be Persistent
Job Retention Discussion Prompts Job Retention Discussion
Keeping Your Job Strong!
Name: _____________________
Date: ______________________
Self-advocacy isn't just for getting a job; it's also super important for doing well and staying happy in a job. Let's talk about some real-life situations.
1
Scenario 1: New Task, New Challenge
Imagine your supervisor gives you a new task that you find really difficult. You don't want to seem unable to do your job, but you know you can't do your best work without some adjustment.
What would you say to your supervisor? How would you ask for help without sounding negative?
What are some possible solutions you could suggest?
2
Scenario 2: Misunderstanding with a Coworker
You and a coworker have a different way of doing a shared task, causing friction. You feel your way is more efficient, but they insist on their method.
How would you approach your coworker to discuss this? What specific words could you use?
How can you advocate for your needs while still showing respect for their perspective?
3
Scenario 3: Asking for Growth Opportunities
You've been in your job for a while and feel ready to learn something new or take on more responsibility.
How would you express your interest? What information would you share to show you're ready?
What kind of questions could you ask about professional development or advancement?
4
Scenario 4: A Personal Challenge
Something personal is happening that makes it difficult to focus or be on time. You don't want to overshare, but you need to communicate something.
How would you approach your supervisor without oversharing? What are the key points to convey?
What kinds of solutions or temporary adjustments could you propose?
Crafting Your Message Activity Crafting Your Message
Speaking with Confidence!
Name: _____________________
Date: ______________________
Being able to clearly say what you need and what you're good at is a super important part of self-advocacy. Let's practice crafting some powerful "I" statements !
Example:
Instead of: "You never give me enough time to finish tasks."
Try: "I find that I work most effectively when I have a clear timeline for tasks, so I would appreciate knowing deadlines in advance."
1
Part 1: Communicating Your Strengths
My Strength:
Example: "I am very detail-oriented, and I enjoy ensuring accuracy in my work, which I believe would be valuable for this role."
Your Turn: Create two "I" statements about your strengths.
2
Part 2: Communicating Your Needs
Scenario: You need a quiet space to focus on tasks.Example: "I find that I am most productive when I have a quiet environment for tasks requiring focus, so I would appreciate understanding what options are available."
Your Turn: Create "I" statements for these needs.
Need: You learn best with written instructions, not just verbal ones.
Need: You sometimes need a short break to re-focus during long tasks.
3
Part 3: Asking Clarifying Questions
Scenario: Your supervisor explains a new project, but you're not entirely sure about the first step.Example: "I want to make sure I understand the first step correctly. Could you please clarify if I should start by collecting data from the past month or the past quarter?"
Your Turn: Create clarifying questions using "I" statements.
Situation: A coworker gives you a task, but you're not sure which software to use.
Situation: You are asked to attend a meeting, but you are not clear on its purpose.
Advocacy Quiz Advocacy Quiz
Checking Your Understanding
Name: _____________________
Date: ______________________
What is the main purpose of self-advocacy in a job search?
To get special treatment.
To clearly communicate your strengths and needs.
To avoid doing difficult tasks.
To make others do work for you.
Which of the following is an example of an "I" statement?
"You always give unclear instructions."
"I feel confused when instructions are only verbal; I learn best with written notes."
"Why can't you be more specific?"
"Just tell me what to do."
Why is it important to understand your strengths when applying for a job?
Imagine you need a specific accommodation (e.g., adjustable desk, noise-canceling headphones) to do your best work. How would you advocate for this in a new job setting?
Self-advocacy is only important for getting a job, not for keeping one.
True
False
Advocacy Quiz Answer Key Advocacy Quiz Answer Key
Teacher Reference Sheet
Use this key to review answers with the student. These explanations are designed to help clarify misconceptions and deepen understanding of self-advocacy concepts.
Question 1: What is the main purpose of self-advocacy?
Correct Answer: To clearly communicate your strengths and needs.
Explanation: Self-advocacy is about making sure your voice is heard. In a job search, this means confidently sharing what you're good at and what you might need to succeed. It's not about getting special treatment, but about ensuring a good fit and a productive work environment.
Question 2: Which is an example of an "I" statement?
Correct Answer: "I feel confused when instructions are only verbal; I learn best with written notes."
Explanation: An "I" statement focuses on your feelings, observations, and needs without blaming or accusing others. This response clearly states a personal feeling and a preferred learning method, which is constructive and professional.
Question 3: Importance of understanding strengths?
Sample Answer:
"Understanding your strengths helps you confidently explain to an employer why you are a good fit for the job. It allows you to highlight your best qualities and skills, making you stand out as a strong candidate. This is a form of self-advocacy because you are speaking up about your value."
Question 4: Advocating for an accommodation?
Sample Answer:
"I would start by explaining that I perform best when I have certain tools or an environment that supports my concentration (e.g., 'I find I can focus best with noise-canceling headphones for detailed tasks.'). Then I would calmly and respectfully ask if that accommodation is possible. Focus on how the accommodation helps me do my best work for the company."
Question 5: Advocacy is only for getting a job.
Correct Answer: False
Explanation: Self-advocacy is vital for both getting and keeping a job. Once employed, it helps you communicate if your needs change, resolve misunderstandings, ask for growth opportunities, and ensure you have what you need to continue performing well.
Self Advocacy Warm Up Worksheet Self-Advocacy Warm-Up
What Does It Mean to You?
Name: _____________________
Date: ______________________
Welcome! Before we dive in, let's get our brains warmed up. Take a moment to think about the word "advocacy."
Question:
When you hear the word "advocacy" or "self-advocacy," what comes to mind? What do you think it means to advocate for yourself?
Teacher will discuss responses and introduce the lesson's focus on self-advocacy in the job search and workplace.
Next Steps Cool Down Worksheet Next Steps Cool-Down
Your Advocacy Journey Continues!
Name: _____________________
Date: ______________________
Great work today! Self-advocacy is a skill you'll use throughout your life, especially in your job search and career. Let's take a moment to reflect and plan your next steps.
1
One Big Takeaway
What is one new idea or strategy about self-advocacy that you learned today that you think will be most helpful for you?
2
Putting It into Practice
Think about your job search or a current situation. What is one specific way you can practice self-advocacy in the next week?
3
Confidence Check
On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you feel now about advocating for yourself in a job-related situation?
Not Confident
Very Confident
1
2
3
4
5
(Circle one)
Your voice is your power.
