What is Disability Advocacy?

• Disability Advocacy is an independent individual advocacy organization for people with a disability in Toowoomba and South West Queensland.
• Disability Advocacy is a community-based, non-profit service. The service provides free advocacy to people with a disability of all ages.
• Currently, Disability Advocacy employs three advocates; one to work with clients of Project 300 and two for general advocacy in the Toowoomba and South West Queensland region.
• Disability Advocacy is auspiced by the The Advocacy and Support Centre Inc (TASC) which, together with the Management Committee, manages the service.
• Confidentiality is paramount and all members of the Committee and staff adhere to a strict code of confidentiality.
• Clients have the right of redress and can follow the Grievance and Complaint procedure for Disability Advocacy, which will be addressed through the Complaints Procedures.

OBJECTIVES

1. To speak, write and act for people with a disability in a way that promotes justice and equity in their lives.
2. To support advocacy development efforts that educate community groups about individual advocacy, the vulnerability of people with disability and the need for advocacy.
3. To enhance the status of people with disability in the community by helping to build a positive image of people with a disability.
4. To network with individuals and organizations who support advocacy against unfair and unjust things happening in the lives of people with disability.
5. To be an effective, efficient, flexible and accountable service that evolves, works out of and reflects advocacy principles and practices.

ASSISTANCE: Disability Advocacy provides individual advocacy to anyone with a disability living in the Toowoomba and South West Qld region. Our target group comprises people with a disability as defined under the Queensland Disability Services Act. We assist with issues in the following areas;

• Access and Equity
• Employment
• Housing Issues
• Qld Health
• Mental Health
• Training and Education Rights
• Freedom of Information and Privacy
• Complaints about Disability Services (government and nongovernment)
• Transport Rights
• Guardianship and Administration Tribunal matters
• Adult Guardianship matters
• Public Trustee matters
• Mental Health Tribunal matters
• Discrimination
• Vilification

Other relevant Issues

We advocate only for the client, not the carer, parent or other interested party.

Each person with a disability seeking a service has access to the service on the basis of relative need and within available resources.

We aim to ensure that individual needs and personal goals are met in the least restrictive way possible and within available resources. Clients are encouraged to participate as fully as possible in decision-making, choice of activities and events in daily life in relation to the services received.

IN ADDITION:

• We provide information to people with disabilities to enable them to obtain their rights;
• Work with all people with a disability, regardless of race, colour, culture, age, gender or creed;
• Support and encourage people with disabilities to advocate for their own rights;
• Provide rights information to workers in other organizations that provide a service to people with disability;
• Provide a community education programme to any group seeking information on Advocacy.

WHERE DO WE WORK

Within the boundaries of the city of Toowoomba and since late 2005 Disability Advocacy services extends from Toowoomba out through Roma and Charleville to Cunnamulla, St. George, Goondiwindi, Stanthorpe, Warwick and the many smaller communities contained in this region. Our organisation provides a 6 weekly opportunity for face to face interviews for people with a disability, their families and Carers and maintain our contact with the client via video link. phone, fax, post and e-mail.

REFERRALS: Disability Advocacy may accept referrals from:

• Self-referral
• Government and non government Service providers/agencies
• Family members, friends or community members.