Disability advocacy
Defining advocacy
Advocacy is work that is intended to support people in asserting their rights and interests, or that asserts their rights and interests with them.
Advocacy may be for individuals or be about changing laws, systems and policies.
Types of advocacy services
There are two types of disability advocacy services:
- generalist services;
- specialist services.
The generalist services are usually tied to a local area and do not cover the whole of Victoria.
Specialist services may be state-wide or local. Usually specialist services either work on specific issues or are connected to a particular type of disability. For example, the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council works with people who have a mental illness. The Association of Children with a Disability advocates on issues affecting children and their families.
To find the most appropriate disability advocacy service for your needs, contact the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit.
Support for advocacy services
Advocacy services established a network called Disability Advocacy Victoria.
Self-advocacy
The role of self-advocacy organisations is to assist people with disability to advocate for themselves in all aspects of everyday life.
For more information, contact the Self Advocacy Resource Unit.
Citizen advocacy
Citizen advocacy programs link people with disabilities to community volunteers. Volunteers advocate on behalf of people with disabilities and assist them in accessing community services and gaining their rights. Citizen advocacy organisations are based regionally.
Contact the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit to find your local organisation.
