Essential Abilities of Advocates

A degree in advocacy focuses on developing skills that are useful for individuals who want to make positive changes in society or promote a particular cause. Graduates that have been successful in this profession possess the following essential abilities:

• Physical and Sensory Abilities: People who are d/Deaf and hearing can be advocates. Physical and sensory abilities may not limit someone from being successful as an advocate or social service professional if the workplace has reasonable accommodations in place. 
• Executive Functioning and Self-Regulation Abilities: Advocates demonstrate creative critical thinking skills that allow them to thrive in various workplace settings where they may do research/service coordination, counseling, vocational rehabilitation, case management, or program evaluation. Their executive functioning and self-regulation skills, aiding them in planning, focusing, remembering, collaborating with teams and juggling multiple tasks successfully. They conduct research, evaluate sources, and use data to support their positions.
• Sociolinguistic and Sociocultural Abilities: Advocates are culturally competent, responsive, and have social perceptiveness. Skilled advocates communicate effectively in American Sign Language and English. Additionally, they can communicate persuasively in various formats and modalities (media, written, sign/spoken). They listen and communicate with clients effectively and work together to navigate towards resilience. 
• Professional Disposition: Advocates possess a solid moral compass. Their ethics manifest in empathy and respect for their clients while maintaining professional boundaries. Advocates have excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrate adaptability in the workplace.