With reference to Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) and ONE other example, explain how the methods used by young people to advocate for their health have evolved over time. (5 marks)
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*Language highlighting the cause-effect relationship is bolded in the answer below.
- Young people’s health advocacy has evolved from formal representation to direct participation because technology and social attitudes have transformed communication.
- This has evolved due to organisations recognising young people’s ability to self-advocate. As a result, advocacy has shifted from “speaking for” to “speaking with” young people.
- CYDA demonstrates this evolution through changing operational models. Initially, CYDA advocated on behalf of young people with disabilities. Subsequently however, they launched youth-led initiatives like the National Youth Disability Summit and LivdX. This shift enables young people with disabilities to directly share experiences and propose solutions.
- Individual advocacy emerged due to the emergence of accessible digital platforms. For instance, 14-year-old Scout Sylva-Richardson independently wrote a bestselling autism book after identifying resource gaps.
- This reveals that young people no longer must have organisational backing. Social media creates direct pathways to global audiences. This happens because platforms bypass traditional gatekeepers.
- Consequently, youth health messages reach targets faster and more authentically. In this way, contemporary youth advocacy achieves greater impact through evolved digital methods.
Show Worked Solution
*Language highlighting the cause-effect relationship is bolded in the answer below.
- Young people’s health advocacy has evolved from formal representation to direct participation because technology and social attitudes have transformed communication.
- This has evolved due to organisations recognising young people’s ability to self-advocate. As a result, advocacy has shifted from “speaking for” to “speaking with” young people.
- CYDA demonstrates this evolution through changing operational models. Initially, CYDA advocated on behalf of young people with disabilities. Subsequently however, they launched youth-led initiatives like the National Youth Disability Summit and LivdX. This shift enables young people with disabilities to directly share experiences and propose solutions.
- Individual advocacy emerged due to the emergence of accessible digital platforms. For instance, 14-year-old Scout Sylva-Richardson independently wrote a bestselling autism book after identifying resource gaps.
- This reveals that young people no longer must have organisational backing. Social media creates direct pathways to global audiences. This happens because platforms bypass traditional gatekeepers.
- Consequently, youth health messages reach targets faster and more authentically. In this way, contemporary youth advocacy achieves greater impact through evolved digital methods.