Sporting matching purple shirts, members of Typical Life Corporation’s Community Self-Advocacy Committee pass around potential giveaway items as they prepare to represent TLC for the first time at the Autism York Fun Fest & Expo on April 19 at York College of Pennsylvania.
A stress ball shaped like a house.
A gray fidget sensory worm that can be stretched and squeezed.
A customizable ice pack.
Green paper in the shape of a puzzle piece with embedded flower seeds to be planted.
These individuals whom TLC serves vote for their favorite items as they talk about what it will be like to represent the organization at the Expo.
“They vote on everything,” says Amber Farmer, TLC Director of Incident Management, who advises the group. “They share their goals with each other, support each other, and we just work together, and it’s great.”
A year of learning and action
The committee, whose monthly meeting includes a meal, comprises TLC individuals who are learning not only to advocate for themselves but to represent their peers in the broader community. They discuss personal goals, support one another’s progress, and even vote to select the next meeting’s meal.
The group officially launched about a year ago and slowly has grown its membership.
“Our first year was a big learning experience for myself and the group,” Amber says. “We started out our first year talking about what our goals are, what self-advocacy means to us. We decided as a group that to learn what self-advocacy is we needed to go meet other self-advocates.”
Now in its second year, the group focuses on outreach into the community. Representing TLC with a booth at the Autism York Fun Fest & Expo is part of a process through which the individuals share their experiences. In the past, TLC staff or administrators conducted the effort. This year, TLC individuals are stepping forward to speak for themselves.
Leadership from within
The committee’s business, while overseen by a staff member, is undertaken by TLC individuals. Members select committee officers, and they take their roles seriously.
Jessica serves as secretary. Her self-advocacy has led to meaningful independence, including carrying her medical and identification cards. Eventually, she would love to be able to work at a job.
“I try to help people to get into this group,” she says. “I want to help people out and do their own choices.”
Charro, the group’s treasurer, brings confidence and counting skills to the team.
“I’m good with numbers,” she says. “This meeting helps me speak up for myself. My goal is to get myself better and be wiser.”
As president, Carlie focuses on outreach and recruitment.
“I’m getting more people to come. I tell them all about it,” she says of the group. When she invites others, she explains what they can expect at the meetings.
“It’s about whatever you want to talk about, and it’s fun to do,” she says.
Building confidence and independence
Beyond taking part in events and activities, group members are learning to alter how they think and speak about themselves.
“One of the biggest things that I am proud of within this group is some of the language that they have learned to use,” Amber says. “We went from saying things like, ‘I have to have my staff set up that meeting,’ to, ‘I have to set up that meeting.’”
That type of change, transitioning from relying on someone else to speaking for themselves, reflects TLC’s broader mission of ensuring that individuals know they have a voice and the power to use it.
Through shared meals, officer elections, community outreach, and honest conversations about goals, the TLC Community Self-Advocacy Committee helps individuals gain independence and express themselves, one gathering at a time.