Cowichan Independent Living provides self-advocacy training and assistance. This is based on the well-documented fact that individuals often seek out others for help when they are experiencing levels of frustration, concern, worry or an issue or problem. We can then adopt a model of people helping people as a way of being able to advocate.

At Cowichan Independent Living, we apply this theory when offering self-advocacy mentoring asserting that the person with a disability is best able to determine which services might meet his or her needs. Many times, the consumer requires information, support and guidance in order to be able to advocate for themselves. According to the Independent Living philosophy, as a consumer, the person with a disability has a right to choose rather than passively receive a service.