The Task Force on Advocacy has released a revised version of 12 Principles of Practice for Advocates. We encourage your feedback and recommendations on principles, training, and best practices. We welcome your contribution to the discussion on what advocates need in order to increase skills, strengthen their capacity, and effectively meet the needs, demands, and goals of the individuals and families they work with. You can contact us by e-mail at:
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The 12 Principles are outlined briefly below. To download a full copy, select the desired format here:
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An Advocate:
1. Demonstrates the highest degree of ethics, honesty and fairness.
2. Holds and demonstrates core values that each person with a disability has all human and civil
rights, including the right to fully informed personal choice, and the right to full integration and
participation in the community of their choice.
3. Works to ensure people with disabilities and their families are able to access quality advocacy
services to meet their needs and personal choices.
4. Is committed to equity and respect of all cultures.
5. Supports each person’s individual needs and goals.
6. Promotes and respects each person’s ability to make his or her own decisions and informed
choices; and does not interfere with those choices or impose his or her own personal views.
7. Treats each person with dignity and respect, protects privacy and confidentiality, and includes the
person receiving services in all aspects of the service.
8. Has the necessary level of skills, training, and expertise required to meet and maintain the
requirements of their position; and actively seeks to keep up-to-date in all of these areas through
personal and professional improvement.
9. Is a well respected member of their community, and actively works in partnership with other
advocacy and community services to be responsive, flexible and effective in meeting the changing
needs and goals of each person and family.
10. Actively supports improvements in system change, including both legislative and policy making
decisions, to respond to emerging and evolving trends and needs of people with disabilities and
families.
11. Seeks a high level of effectiveness, satisfaction, and continuous quality improvement, with
ongoing, measurable accountability to the people and families who receive services.
12. Conducts all aspects of business with sound fiscal and program management, legal and ethical
business practices, and equitable employment practices.
