Advocacy
Disability Advocacy ensures that the human and legal rights of people with disabilities are promoted, protected, respected and realised so that people with disabilities can fully participate in the community.
Individual advocacy
Individual Advocacy is when a person with a disability is assisted by an advocate to take action or to provide them with information, to address a need that they identify.
We can provide advocacy support for you if:
- Your aged between 16 and 65?
- You live in one of the following Victorian Municipalities? Banyule, Bayside, Boroondara, Brimbank, Cardinia, Casey, Darebin, Frankston, Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Kingston, Knox, Manningham, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Melbourne, Monash, Mooney Valley, Moreland, Nillumbik, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Whitehorse, Whittlesea, Wyndam, Yarra
- You have a physical disability that is permanent or likely to be permanent?
- You require ongoing support services eg, personal care, community access etc
- You have reduced capacity for: Writing, typing, hearing, vision or speaking or Learning or Mobility without assistance or frequent rests
If the answer is yes to all of the above questions then DJA is funded to provide Individual Advocacy support and the Executive Officer will allocate you an Advocate subject to your priority needs and the waiting list.
What will the advocate do?
Before starting advocacy with a person, we will meet with them to find out more about what they need and want.
We will talk with them about their options and work with them to prepare an advocacy plan. The plan will be based on what the person wants and needs, and how they decide things should be done.
Systemic advocacy
Systemic Advocacy is about social change. Where there is a gap or problem with the service system that leads to a number of people with disabilities experiencing the same or similar problems, DJA can get involved in lobbying for changes that address this.
If you would like us to do systemic advocacy on an issue that we are not currently working on, please contact us to raise your concerns. If we are unable to assist we will try to let you know which other services may be able to assist.
Current campaigns and networks that DJA is involved with
Aids & Equipment Action Alliance (A&EAA)
This is an ongoing campaign for systemic change which has resulted in an improved state-wide centralised program of support for people with disabilities The Alliance has been Incorporated to further enhance it’s legitimacy and status. Visit A&EAA
Respite Alliance Whittlesea
This is an ongoing campaign for provision of facility based respite for the City of Whittlesea, which currently has no respite beds available in the municipality for residents with disabilities.
Young People in Nursing Homes Consortium (YPINH)
This is an ongoing campaign to lobby governments to ensure that young people under 65 with disabilities are not placed in nursing homes where their needs are not being met.