A Collective Case Study of the Perceptions and Implementation of Self Advocacy from Four Educators of Students with Disabilities

This qualitative study identified four educators\u27 perceptions and their implementation of teaching advocacy to students with disabilities within a public secondary educational setting. Federal mandates, such as Public Law 94-142, requested educators including administrators, counselors, special educators, and general educators to help facilitate self advocacy skills in the public educational setting. Using observations, comprehensive interviews, and available documentation, this collective case study identified four educators\u27 experiences (an administrator, a counselor, a special educator, and a general educator) in developing student self advocacy as it pertains to the educators\u27 perceived role in working with students with disabilities. This study identified their perceptions of effective student self advocacy while describing their own actions and behaviors that promoted the skill. Prior research defined the framework, terminology, strategies, and usefulness from educator perceptions about the implementation of self advocacy. Still, there was insufficient research on how educators in different roles define, perceive, and facilitate self advocacy practices within a public secondary setting. This research addressed four specific participants\u27 time preparation, implementation, and reflection as it pertained to teaching self advocacy. Data analysis included open and axial coding, natural generalizations, and data reduction to identify emerging themes, patterns, and relationships relevant to the perceptions of self advocacy from these participants