Disability advocates and programs play an important role to promote, protect, uphold and defend the human rights and wellbeing of people with disability, their families and carers. The Department of Communities provides funding to a number of advocacy organisations with the aim to provide a state-based, person centred approach to ensuring people with disability and those who share their lives, are engaged and feel empowered to live as they choose in a community where everyone belongs. These organisations are required to follow the principles of the Disability Services Act 1993 (Schedule 1 and 2), the National Standards for Disability Services and National Disability Advocacy Framework.
Individual advocacy
Individual advocacy organisations work alongside a person with disability who is facing a challenge, including:
- actively participating in the community
- receiving high-quality services and supports that meet their specific needs, and
- exercising their rights.
The following organisations are funded by Communities to provide individual advocacy services:
- Consumers of Mental Health WA
- Explorability
- Kin Advocacy
- Midland Information Debt and Legal Advocacy Service (Midlas)
- People With Disabilities Western Australia, in consortium with Advocacy WA, Sussex Street Community Law Service and Albany Community Legal Centre
- Wunan Foundation
Systemic advocacy
Systemic advocacy works to address entrenched barriers and drive longer-term change to ensure that people with disability can fully exercise their rights and can include:
- legislation, policies and practice
- accessibility and quality of services in areas such as education, health, housing and transport.
- attitudes towards people with disability and improved awareness of the general community.
The following organisations are funded by Communities to provide systemic advocacy:
- Advocacy WA
- Autism Association of Western Australia
- Centre for Accessibility
- Consumers of Mental Health WA
- Kalparrin (now Kiind)
- Kin Advocacy
- Youth Disability Advocacy Network
For a list of advocacy organisations funded by the Australian Government, please visit the website of the Department of Social Services.
For more information on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, please visit the website of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Other organisations that support people with disability, providers, workers and carers include:
Developmental Disability WA (DDWA)
DDWA provide a range of services, information and resources to enhance the quality of life for people with developmental disability and their families.
Western Australia’s Individualised Services (WAiS)
WAiS is a member based organisation that work in partnership with people with disability, families, service providers and government to promote and advance individualised, self-directed supports and services.
National Disability Services (NDS)
NDS is a peak body representing non-government disability service organisations. NDS provides information, resources and training for providers, workers, people with disability and carers.
Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH)
WAAMH is the peak body for community mental health in WA. WAAMH influences community attitudes, mental health priorities, policy and practice so Western Australians have the rights, resources and support needed for mental wellbeing, recovery, and citizenship. WAAMH engage with a wide network of collaborative relationships at a state and national level with individuals, organisations and community members who share their values and objectives.
