Advocacy

Advocacy

What is Disability Advocacy?

Advocacy involves ensuring that people are able to speak out, express their views and have their rights upheld. Disability advocacy may be individual – on behalf of individuals, or providing support for families, carers or members of the community who want to act with, or for, a person with a disability. Advocacy may also be systemic, and work to produce change in areas such as the attitudes and understanding of the general community in relation to people with disabilities, government legislation, policies, services or practices and private sector policies, practices and services.

Advocacy Agencies:

Neuromuscular WA

Neuromuscular WA aims to advocate, protect and advance the legal, human and service rights of people with muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular conditions. The organisation provides support to help individuals self-advocate, or has facilities for staff to advocate on behalf of the person.

For more information see: https://www.neuromuscularwa.org.au/advocacy

A not-for-profit community agency based in Midland that provides individual advocacy guidance and supports people with a disability, their carers and their families. It provides advocacy for people requesting reviews of decisions made as part the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

For more information see: http://www.midlas.org.au/services/disability-advocacy/

People with Disabilities WA

A non-legal advocacy agency that works alongside individuals when they think they have been treated unfairly or are seeking a solution to a specific problem, by providing them with access to current information, services and agencies that may provide assistance.

For more information see: www.pwdwa.org

Developmental Disability WA

A not-for-profit organisation that aims to advance advocacy, policy and community, for and with people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, their families, and the people who support them.

For more information see: www.ddc.org.au

Health Consumers Council WA

A free service provider to anyone in WA who needs help understanding and accessing their healthcare rights. The HCC team train, support and link you with healthcare services, as well as providing workshops and information sessions to consumers and service providers to improve healthcare services overall.

For more information see: www.hconc.org.au/resources/health-matters/

Rare Voices Australia (RVA)

A non-profit, national peak organisation advocating for all who live with rare disease. RVA provides a strong common voice to advocate for health policy and a healthcare system that works for those with rare diseases. Patient-centred, RVA works with all stakeholders including patients, key peak bodies, governments, researchers, clinicians and industry to promote rare disease research, diagnosis, treatment and services.

RVA aims to provide the following services:

  • Providing leadership and advocacy on national rare disease issues for the benefit of those who live with a rare disease.
  • Raise awareness of issues faced by the rare disease community to promote understanding, motivation and empowerment.
  • Educating physicians and other healthcare professionals about rare diseases to promote early diagnosis and optimal treatment.
  • Collaborate and connect with all Australians sharing the experience of living with a rare disease.

For more information see: www.rarevoices.org.au

Sussex Street Community Law Service Inc

Provides NSDS accredited advocacy services to people with a disability, their families and carers.

It provides services to Mid West, Goldfield/ Esperance and the Great Southern.

Also partnering with UnitingCare West advocacy is also provided to people living in Vincent, Cambridge, Joondalup, Wanneroo and Stirling.

The service provides:

  • Information on your rights, your options and on available services and resources
  • Referral to an agency or service in your area
  • One-to-one support to work with you to deal with your problems
  • Training to show you how to deal with issues for yourself

For more information see: https://www.sscls.asn.au/individual-disability-advocacy-service

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