Types of Advocacy
Advocacy happens at many different levels—from the choices you make for yourself to the systems and policies that shape care for entire communities. All of them matter, and all of them are connected.
Self-Advocacy
Advocating for your own needs, rights, or accommodations.
In CSD, this can look like:
- A patient requesting hearing aids or therapy coverage
- A student asking for clinical accommodations
- A clinician setting professional boundaries
Individual / Group Advocacy
Speaking up on behalf of a specific person, client, or family.
Examples:
- Helping a child access speech therapy services in school
- Writing a letter of medical necessity for hearing aids
- Supporting a family through insurance denials or appeals
Systems Advocacy
Working to improve policies, procedures, or workflows within organizations.
Examples:
- Improving clinic workflows to reduce patient barriers
- Advocating for better school-based service delivery models
- Changing hospital protocols for hearing screenings
Legislative Advocacy
Influencing laws and public policy at local, state, or federal levels.
Examples:
- Contacting legislators (like you’re working on now 👀)
- Supporting bills related to Medicaid coverage or hearing aid access
- Participating in ASHA Hill Day or State Association Advocacy Days
Grassroots Advocacy
Mobilizing a large group of people to raise awareness and push for change.
Examples:
- Social media campaigns
- Petition drives
- Student organizations advocating collectively
In CSD: NSSLHA or university groups organizing advocacy events and community education efforts.
Levels of Advocacy
Advocacy can also be understood by scale:
- Micro-level: Self-advocacy, patient advocacy
- Meso-level: Systems and professional advocacy
- Macro-level: Legislative and grassroots advocacy
These levels aren’t separate—they build on each other. Small actions at the micro level often lead to larger system and policy change over time.
Advocacy vs. advocacy
(A)dvocacy
- Speaking with policymakers or decision-makers
- Engaging in formal policy or professional advocacy work
- Leading campaigns or organizational efforts
(a)dvocacy
- Supporting advocacy efforts behind the scenes
- Participating in campaigns, events, or initiatives
- Small actions that still contribute to change
Both matter. Most change happens because both are happening at the same time.