959 him in these processes and to mediate the advocacy processes for him. The second layer is connected to the lack of prior discourse on the subject of disability identity among people with intellectual disability and, in particular, positive discourse regarding this identity. This discourse barely exists in the life circles of people with intellectual disability due to the stigma prevailing in society (including among professionals), which views them as lacking opinion, efficacy or ability, so that decisions must be made and actions must be taken in their place. This stigma is often internalized in the thoughts of the people themselves, thereby projecting onto their self-confidence, their belief in themselves and their ability of self-advocacy. Further on, the chapter shows - through case descriptions - how processes of self-advocacy and group advocacy generate perceptional changes among people with intellectual disability, as well as cultural changes in the entire society. The chapter ends with a personal appeal to professionals to render weight and importance to advocacy aspects in the lives of people with intellectual disability - processes which enable all individuals with intellectual disability to make their voice heard, their needs, dreams and aspirations, and to feel that they are seen and respected.
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