Self-Advocacy at Merrick

Growing a Movement

Merrick is recognized as a leader in Minnesota, in part because of our longstanding commitment to self-advocacy. That leadership began in 1997, when six individuals formed the first Putting People First group at Merrick. Since then, the program has grown into 10 self-advocacy groups that meet weekly and include more than 100 active members.

Over the years, self-advocates have shared their experiences with schools, civic organizations, disability groups, conferences, and workshops. By telling their stories, they have helped educate communities, promote inclusion, and inspire others to speak up for themselves.

For participants, self-advocacy is more than a program or a weekly meeting—it is a way of life. It means speaking up for yourself, making your own choices, and ensuring your voice is heard. As our members often say: if you are speaking up for yourself, you are a self-advocate. For many, that realization is truly life-changing.

Continuing a Mission

Building on nearly three decades of leadership, Merrick continues its commitment to empowering people with disabilities by creating opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to advocate for themselves and others.

Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, participants are making a difference in their own lives and in the broader community. Their work focuses on four key areas:

• Public Awareness – Educating the community about disability rights, inclusion, and the importance of self-advocacy through presentations, outreach, and storytelling.
• Legislative Advocacy – Learning about public policy, meeting with elected officials, and advocating for laws and policies that support people with disabilities.
• Voter Rights – Promoting voter education, encouraging civic participation, and helping ensure that people with disabilities can exercise their right to vote.
• Leadership Through Service – Serving on boards, committees, advisory councils, and workgroups to represent the voices and perspectives of people with disabilities and influence decisions that affect their communities.

To learn more about Self-Advocacy at Merrick, contact our Self-Advocacy Facilitator Jaylah Loving at JaylahL@MerrickInc.org.

What Others Are Saying

“The self-advocacy program [at Merrick, Inc.,] has not only sensitized and educated me on a number of issues relating to the unfair stereotyping of individuals with disabilities, but by having this program, Merrick has empowered individuals with disabilities … the self-advocacy program ensures that it is more difficult to continue to treat individuals with disabilities as the forgotten minority.” – U.S. District Court Judge Donovan Frank