We are funded through the National Disability Advocacy Program to address the recognised disadvantage experienced by people with disability. Our individual advocacy work focusses on the human rights and entitlements of people with disability.
Our advocacy assistance is a free service, provided to those with a disability in situations where we can make a difference.
Everyone deserves to have their voice heard, their rights recognised and the power to make their own choices and decisions over matters that affect their lives.
Advocates help their clients access information to make informed decisions.
If you want to change something in your life but don’t know how to go about it, an advocate may be able to help. We listen to you, and ensure your voice is heard, as we bring expertise and experience to assist with the important matters in your life.
For more information, read this document ABOUT ADVOCACY service user booklet
If you think we can help, contact us and we’ll discuss it.
When you contact us, we will assess your eligibility, and whether the issue is something we can work on.
If think we can assist, we’ll prepare a plan of action with you.
National Disability Advocacy Program videos
There is a set of brief youtube videos explaining the advocacy that is funded by NDAP, including the various types of important advocacy work for people with disabilities.
NDIS Appeals webinar
A webinar on appealing NDIS decisions to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), prepared by Leadership Plus in conjunction with the Rights Information and Advocacy Centre (RIAC)
Information about human rights and disability
The UN has a site devoted to the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability including the convention in brief and links to the full text of the convention in several formats and languages and easy read versions. This video explains the convention very well.
Advocacy peak bodies and resource organisations
Disability Advocacy Victoria is the peak body for independent disability advocacy in Victoria.
Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) is a national not for profit organisation, supporting and strengthening independent disability advocacy organisations across Australia, and represents the advocacy community to governments, campaigns to support advocacy and supports research in the field.
SARU, The Self Advocacy Resources Unit, provides resources for self advocacy groups.
Acquired Brain Injury organisations
Brain Injury Matters Inc (BIM) facilitates self-advocacy and community education for people living with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). BIM aims to help people living with ABI to realise potential for a full life within a supportive community and to increase community awareness about ABI.
NDIS
The NDIS and You is an excellent set of videos on the NDIS, how to access it, prepare for your plan or appeal an NDIS decision. A great resource from the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council
Other advocacy organisations
DARU has a list of all Victorian advocacy organisations.
The Department of Social Services has lists of all agencies providing assistance with NDIS Appeals.
Leadership Plus has been offering support for people with disability who have limited decision making capability as they engage with the NDIS. The purpose is to ensure that such people have maximum support in making the many decisions required when obtaining access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme and obtaining a plan from the NDIS.
To be eligible for this support, participants must have limited decision making capability, be residents of Victoria and must be:
- over 18 and under 65
- without informal decision support (family, friend, significant others)
- without formal decision support (i.e. guardian)
Leadership Plus provided assistance to the participant in working through what is required for engaging with the NDIS and helping the participant to establish their goals and needs for their NDIS plan.
This is a pilot program funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services.
Unfortunately, this pilot program ceases 30 June 2023. From that date, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will assume responsibility for providing supported decision making services for people engaging with the NDIS.
We love feedback!
If you have used our advocacy service, we’d love to know how we did. Answer a few simple questions in our anonymous feedback survey.