Your Voice Your Job Lesson Plan Your Voice, Your Job
Professional Self-Advocacy Training
Duration
2 Hours
Objective
Students will learn and practice self-advocacy skills to maintain their jobs, seek advancement, and effectively communicate workplace problems.
Audience
Adult Males with Disabilities
Why This Matters
Effective self-advocacy is vital for job security, career growth, and ensuring a safe and fair work environment. This lesson provides practical tools for navigating professional challenges.
Teacher Preparation
• Review all generated materials (slides, scripts, worksheets).
• Ensure projector/whiteboard is set up.
• Print copies of Reading, Worksheet, Quiz, and Test.
• Prepare props for role-playing (optional).
⏱️ Prep Time: 30 minutes
Materials Needed
• Whiteboard or projector
• Markers
• Advocacy Slide Deck
• Speak Up! Warm Up
• Workplace Advocacy Basics Reading
• My Rights, My Voice Discussion Guide
• Role-Play Activity
• Advocacy Action Plan Worksheet
• Advocacy Check-In Quiz
• Advocacy Mastery Test
• One Step Forward Cool Down
Instructional Steps
1
10 Min
Warm-Up: Speak Up!
Begin with the warm-up activity to set the stage for open communication.
Ask students to share their responses, encouraging a safe environment.
Transition by stating today's lesson helps build confidence.
2
15 Min
Intro to Workplace Advocacy
Use the Slide Deck to introduce advocacy concepts.
Follow the Advocacy Script for key talking points.
Define terms: self-advocacy, rights, and responsibilities.
3
20 Min
Reading & Comprehension
Distribute the "Workplace Advocacy Basics" reading.
Allow individual reading or group read-aloud.
Facilitate a brief Q&A session to check for understanding.
4
25 Min
Discussion: My Rights, My Voice
Lead a group discussion on workplace experiences.
Encourage students to share thoughts on speaking up.
Emphasize the importance of knowing and communicating rights.
5
30 Min
Activity: Role-Play for Success
Divide students into pairs for scenario practice.
Circulate and provide feedback on advocacy skills.
Focus on clear, calm communication techniques.
6
15 Min
My Advocacy Action Plan
Students complete the personal action plan worksheet.
Identify personal advocacy goals and specific steps.
Offer individual assistance and reflection guidance.
7
20 Min
Assessments & Reflection
Administer the Quiz (10m) and the Mastery Test (10m).
Review quiz answers as a class for immediate feedback.
Conclude with the "One Step Forward" cool down ticket (5m).
Advocacy Slide Deck Your Voice, Your Job
Self-Advocacy in the Workplace
What is Self-Advocacy?
Speaking up for yourself
Communicating your needs and goals clearly.
Knowing your rights
Understanding what is fair and legal at work.
Effective communication
Building better relationships with employers.
Why is it Important?
Keep Your Job
Prevent misunderstandings and address issues before they grow.
Career Growth
Ask for promotions, new training, and better opportunities.
Solve Problems
Create a better work environment that works for you.
Fair Treatment
Ensure you are respected and supported at work.
Recognizing a Problem
Speak up when you notice...
⚠️ Something is unsafe
🚫 Something is unfair
❓ You don't understand an instruction
♿ You need a reasonable accommodation
🌱 Your work environment affects your well-being
How to Speak Up
01
Time and Place
Choose a private, calm setting.
02
Be Specific
State exactly what the problem is.
03
Impact
Explain how the issue affects you.
04
Suggest Solutions
Offer ideas to fix the situation.
05
Listen
Be open to the other person's perspective.
Who to Talk To?
Your Supervisor
The first person you should usually approach.
Human Resources
For rights, accommodations, or serious conflicts.
Trusted Mentor
A colleague or advocate you respect.
Reasonable Accommodations
Adjustments to your workplace or job duties to help you succeed.
You have the legal right to request them.
Requires clear communication of your specific needs.
Key Takeaways
Your voice matters!
Practice makes progress.
Know your rights.
You are capable of advocating for yourself!
Advocacy Teacher Script Teacher Facilitation Script
Your Voice, Your Job
Instructional Guide
Warm-Up: Speak Up! (10 Minutes)
Hand out the "Speak Up! Warm Up" sheet.
Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Let's start with a quick warm-up activity called Speak Up! On your sheet, I want you to quickly jot down one situation where you felt like you wanted to say something, but you didn't. It could be at home, with friends, or at work. Just a short sentence or two. Don't worry, you won't have to share if you don't want to."
Allow 3–4 minutes for students to write.
Teacher: "Now, if anyone feels comfortable, would you like to share your situation? What held you back from speaking up?"
Facilitate a brief discussion, encouraging a few volunteers. Transition to the lesson.
Teacher: "Thank you for sharing. Today, we're going to talk about how to make sure your voice is heard, especially at work. This lesson is all about empowering you to advocate for yourselves—whether it's to keep your job, get a promotion, or solve a problem. Let's get started!"
Introduction to Workplace Advocacy (15 Minutes)
Display Slide 1: Your Voice, Your Job: Self-Advocacy in the Workplace.
Teacher: "Welcome to 'Your Voice, Your Job.' Today, we're going to explore a really important skill called self-advocacy. It's about empowering yourselves for success and fair treatment in your jobs."
Display Slide 2: What is Self-Advocacy?
Teacher: "So, what exactly is self-advocacy? Simply put, it means speaking up for yourself and your needs. It involves understanding your rights and responsibilities at work, and knowing how to communicate effectively with your employers and colleagues. It's about being your own best champion."
Display Slide 3: Why is Self-Advocacy Important?
Teacher: "Why is this so important? Well, self-advocacy helps you in many ways. It can help you maintain your job by preventing misunderstandings. It can also help you advance in your career and achieve your goals. And very importantly, it allows you to address problems and create a better work environment where you feel respected and treated fairly. Think about it: if you don't speak up, who will?"
Reading: Workplace Advocacy Basics (20 Minutes)
Teacher: "Now, I have a reading for you called Workplace Advocacy Basics . This will give you fundamental information about your rights. You can read it quietly to yourselves, or we can read it aloud as a group. Please let me know what works best."
Distribute reading. Allow 10–12 minutes for reading.
Teacher: "Alright, now that we've read through the basics, let's take a moment for any questions. Did anything in the reading surprise you? Was anything unclear?"
Speak Up Warm Up Speak Up!
Name:
Date:
Getting Started
Take a moment to think about a time when you wanted to say something, but you didn't. It could be at work, with friends, or at home. Use the space below to reflect on that situation.
1. What was the situation where you held back from speaking up?
2. What held you back from speaking up? (Fear, not knowing what to say, etc.)
3. How did you feel afterward?
"Your voice is your most powerful tool in the workplace."
Workplace Advocacy Reading Workplace Advocacy Basics
Reference Guide
What is Self-Advocacy at Work?
Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself and your needs in the workplace. It means understanding your rights and responsibilities as an employee, and being able to communicate them clearly and respectfully to your boss, co-workers, or Human Resources (HR).
It is about making sure your voice is heard so you can do your best work and be treated fairly.
Why is it Important?
Job Security: Speaking up early can prevent bigger issues later, helping you keep your job.
Career Growth: You need to be able to ask for opportunities like promotions or new skills training.
Problem Solving: Self-advocacy helps fix unfair situations, safety concerns, or unclear tasks.
Fair Treatment: Everyone deserves respect. Advocacy ensures your rights are protected.
When Should You Speak Up?
You don't understand a task or instruction.
You need a reasonable accommodation (e.g., special tool, flexible schedule).
You notice something unsafe in your workplace.
You feel you are being treated unfairly because of your disability.
You are experiencing harassment or discrimination.
You want to take on new responsibilities or share an improvement idea.
How to Speak Up Effectively
Speaking up can feel scary, but these 6 steps make it easier:
1
Choose the Right Time and Place
Talk in private. Ask your supervisor to schedule a short meeting.
2
Be Clear and Specific
State exactly what you need. Instead of "This is hard," say "Could I get a cart to help me lift these boxes?"
3
Focus on the Facts
Stick to what happened and avoid emotional language.
4
Explain the Impact
Briefly explain how the situation affects you or your work quality.
5
Suggest Solutions
If possible, offer an idea for how to fix the problem.
6
Listen
Be ready to have a conversation, not just make a demand.
Remember: Your employer has a responsibility to provide a safe and fair workplace. Learning to advocate for yourself is a powerful skill that can help you succeed and thrive in your job.
My Rights My Voice Discussion Guide My Rights, My Voice
Discussion Guide
Self-Advocacy
This discussion is a chance to share your thoughts and learn from each other about speaking up at work. Remember to listen respectfully to everyone and share what feels comfortable for you.
Opening Questions
1. Based on the reading, what was one new thing you learned about your rights or how to speak up effectively?
2. In our warm-up, we thought about times we wanted to speak up but didn't. How did that feel? What held you back?
Exploring Advocacy
3. Can you think of a time when speaking up made a positive difference at work? What happened?
4. What are some common worries you might have when talking to your boss about a problem?
5. Can anyone give an example of what a "reasonable accommodation" might look like?
Practical Application
6. If a co-worker told you they were being treated unfairly, what advice would you give them?
7. What is one small step you could take this week to practice using your voice?
"Your Voice, Your Job"
Role Play Activity Role-Play for Success
Practice Activity
Instructions
Work with a partner or small group.
Assign roles: Employee and Supervisor/HR .
Act out the scenario using the script starter.
Discuss what went well and what could be better.
Scenario 1: Needing Clarification
Situation: Your supervisor gives you a new task, but the instructions are unclear. You don't want to make a mistake.
Goal: Politely ask for clearer instructions or a demonstration.
"Excuse me, [Name]. I'm starting on this task, and I want to make sure I do it correctly. Could you explain..."
Scenario 2: Requesting Accommodation
Situation: It's too noisy to focus. You believe headphones or a quieter space would help you work better.
Goal: Request an accommodation to help you perform your job better.
"[Name], I've been thinking about how I can improve my focus, and I believe..."
Scenario 3: Dealing with Unfair Tasks
Situation: You are consistently given the most physically demanding tasks while others are not.
Goal: Express concern about task distribution and suggest a fairer approach.
"[Name], I wanted to talk about task assignments. I've noticed recently that I've been assigned..."
Scenario 4: Safety Concerns
Situation: A piece of equipment is broken and dangerous. You want to report it responsibly.
Goal: Report the safety concern clearly and responsibly.
"[Name], I wanted to bring something to your attention about the equipment..."
Debrief Questions
1. What did the employee do well in these conversations?
2. What was the hardest part of speaking up?
3. How did the supervisor's response change based on how the employee spoke?
My Advocacy Action Plan Worksheet My Advocacy Action Plan
Name:
Date:
This worksheet will help you create a plan to advocate for yourself in the workplace. Thinking about these questions can help you feel more confident and prepared.
1 Part 1: Identifying Areas for Advocacy
1. Think about your current or a past job. What is one situation where you wished you had spoken up?
2. What is one goal you have for self-advocacy in your job?
(Examples: asking for clarification, requesting an accommodation, discussing a concern, etc.)
2 Part 2: Planning Your Approach
Who is the best person to talk to?
When would be a good time to talk?
What exactly do you want to say? (Write 2-3 key sentences)
What is one possible solution or outcome you hope for?
3 Part 3: Overcoming Challenges
1. What is one thing that might make it hard for you to speak up? (Fear, discomfort, etc.)
2. What strategy can you use to overcome that challenge? (Practice, writing notes, etc.)
My Commitment
I commit to taking ONE STEP towards my advocacy goal this week.
My first step will be:
Signature
Date
Advocacy Check-In Quiz Advocacy Check-In
Name:
Date:
Choose the best answer for each question to see what you've learned so far.
1. What does "self-advocacy" mean in the workplace?
Letting others make decisions for you.
Speaking up for yourself and your needs.
Only talking to your co-workers.
Ignoring problems at work.
2. Name two reasons why self-advocacy is important for maintaining your job or advancing your career.
3. When is a good time to speak up about a workplace problem?
Only when you are angry.
As soon as possible, in a private setting.
Never, just let it go.
Only when your supervisor asks you to.
4. What is one key tip for speaking up effectively?
5. How are you feeling?
I feel more confident about speaking up for myself at work after this lesson.
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
Workplace Advocacy Mastery Test Workplace Advocacy Mastery Test
Name:
Date:
1. Which of the following is NOT a reason why self-advocacy is important in the workplace?
To get a promotion.
To ensure fair treatment.
To avoid all work tasks.
To solve problems.
2. Explain in your own words what a "reasonable accommodation" is and provide one example.
Example: providing screen-reading software...
3. When you are speaking up about a problem, what should you focus on?
Complaining about your co-workers.
Exaggerating the problem.
Facts and how the situation affects you.
Only what you want, without listening to others.
4. Imagine you are given a task you don't understand. What are three steps you can take to advocate for yourself and get help?
5. Who is generally the first person you should speak to if you have a workplace concern?
A friend outside of work.
Your immediate supervisor.
The CEO of the company.
A customer.
Self-Confidence Check
I feel confident that I can identify a problem at work and take steps to address it using my advocacy skills.
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
End of Test
One Step Forward Cool Down One Step Forward
Name:
Date:
Congratulations!
You've taken a big step today toward being your own best advocate. Before you go, reflect on your journey forward.
1. What is ONE KEY THING you learned today that you will try to remember?
2. What is ONE SMALL ACTION you can take this week to practice using your voice?
Keep moving forward—your voice matters!
Advocacy Quiz Answer Key Answer Key: Advocacy Check-In
Teacher Resource
1. What does "self-advocacy" mean in the workplace?
Speaking up for yourself and your needs.
2. Name two reasons why self-advocacy is important.
Possible Answers (Any 2):
Job security (preventing misunderstandings).
Career growth (asking for promotions/new tasks).
Problem solving (fixing unfair or unsafe situations).
Ensuring fair treatment and respect.
3. When is a good time to speak up about a workplace problem?
As soon as possible, in a private setting.
4. What is one key tip for speaking up effectively?
Correct Tips (Any 1):
Choose the right time and place (private).
Be clear and specific about the problem.
Focus on facts, not emotions.
Explain how the situation affects your work.
Suggest a solution.
Listen to the other person's perspective.
Advocacy Test Answer Key Answer Key: Advocacy Mastery Test
Teacher Resource
1. Which is NOT a reason for self-advocacy?
To avoid all work tasks.
2. Explain "reasonable accommodation" and give an example.
Definition: An adjustment to the work environment or duties that helps an employee with a disability do their job effectively.
Examples: Stand-up desk, flexible hours, screen-reader, quiet workspace, specialized tools, job-shadowing support.
3. When speaking up, focus on...
Facts and how the situation affects you.
4. Three steps for help with an unclear task:
Politely ask for clarification or a demonstration.
Explain exactly what part is confusing.
Suggest a way to help you understand (like written steps).
5. First person to speak to?
Your immediate supervisor.
