Self-Advocacy Movement in Malaysia: Issues, Importance and Future Directions

Abstract

The self-advocacy movement in Malaysia since the early 1990s has been witnessed in the ability of individuals with learning disabilities to speak out and gain confidence in their individual capacity. The formation of self-advocacy organizations and groups throughout Malaysia has given more opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities to make their stance known in the community. Drawing upon the notion of self-advocacy as an essential ideology for empowering individuals with learning disabilities, this article reviews the issues faced by individuals with learning disabilities in contrasting with the importance of the self-advocacy movement which has affected its development. Issues raised are reviewed as future directions for the movement. Community and government support would provide avenue to realize and acknowledge the meaning of interdependence upon each other in its implication of practice for a holistic development of the individual and the support system.