Information and Referral Directory - Advocacy: Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA)

Association for Children with Disability (Tas) Inc
The Association for Children with Disability (Tas.) Inc. (ACD) is a state-wide organisation providing information, advocacy, and support for Tasmanian families of a child/children with disability. We support choice of, access to and equity of services for all Tasmanian families irrespective of the geographical location in which they live.

Aurora Disability Services
A self-funded organisation which provides a variety of services for people with a wide range of disabilities. Services include vocational training, basic computer training, adult literacy, training in independent living skills, social, sporting and recreational activities, advocacy, transport, and respite for families and carers.

Citizen Advocacy Launceston Region Inc
The Launceston Citizen Advocacy Program facilitates the establishment of Citizen Advocacy relationships for people with disabilities, who are vulnerable or at risk, in the North East region of Tasmania.

Speak Out Association of Tasmania
The Speak Out Association of Tasmania provides one on one support with advocacy and self-advocacy for people with disabilities. Also provides information and support.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY (ACT)

A.C.T. Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS)
ADACAS is the A.C.T. Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service - an independent advocacy organisation helping people with disabilities, older people and their carers. ADACAS does this by providing advocacy through: Information; Representation; Education.

Access City Hotline ACT
Access City Hotline is an information, referral and advocacy service for people who are experiencing physical barriers to access in the Canberra community. It is a non-government service, auspiced by the Citizens Advice Bureau ACT. People are welcome to phone or email the service, and staff are also willing to meet individuals in person. Access City Hotline has a close working relationship with the ACT Department of Urban Services and ACROD ACT, and also has information on access consultants and builders.

Advocacy for Inclusion ACT
Advocacy for Inclusion is a service which provides individual and systemic advocacy to improve life for people who have a disability in the ACT. The mission of Advocacy for Inclusion is to provide information, education and representation to effectively advocate for positive and inclusive outcomes for people who have a disability.

Citizen Advocacy ACT Inc
Citizen Advocacy is a community-based organisation that strives to educate the community to understand the needs and aspirations of those with an intellectual disability. The concept of Citizen Advocacy is based on the assumption that all people have the right to be included in the life of our community. Citizen Advocacy seeks people from the community to spend some of their time and energy into building a one to one relationship with a person who has an intellectual disability. It also provides community members with an opportunity to get to know another person whom they wouldn't normally meet.

Community Connections
Community Connections is a local non-government organisation. We can help people with disabilities, and their families and carers. We are here for people with all kinds of disability - whether it is physical, sensory, intellectual or psychiatric. We can give you lots of information about what is available for you. If something is not working for you, we can often help you find a solution. Community Connections is a commercial disability brokerage organisation which manages all sorts of funding packages for individuals. They have discretionary funding from both the Territory and the Commonwealth which can be used to help individuals on a short term and long term basis. Our aim is to connect people with a disability to that part of the community that can help them best, wherever they live in Canberra.

Community Options Inc
Community Options co-ordinates services for people who are frail aged, have a disability or live with dementia and their carers to enable them to continue living at home. Runs a number of projects including Continuity of Care which provides short term post hospital support.

People With Disabilities ACT
People With Disabilities ACT works to provide people with disabilities in the Canberra region with a voice of their own. We bring together people who have problems in accessing the community and work with the community, government and private sectors to remove unnecessary barriers.

QUEENSLAND

Access For All
Access For All is a volunteer community group established to ensure equitable and dignified access to all premises and facilities whether private or public, to all members of the community. The group offers a free advocacy service in respect of all access matters covered by Federal and/or State Legislation. Amongst it's members is an accredited access consultant who is a member of ACAA.

Citizen Advocacy
Citizen Advocacy is a community-based program which aims to recognize, promote and protect the rights and interests of people with intellectual disabilities. This is achieved through finding and supporting individuals (Advocates) from the local community, who are prepared to act voluntarily to make a positive difference to the life of a person with the disability who may be isolated, face difficult challenges, or be at risk.

Capricorn Citizen Advocacy (Rockhampton): No website. Ph: 07 4922 0299
Citizen Advocacy Sunshine Coast
Citizen Advocacy South West Brisbane: No website. Ph: 07 3278 6744

Independent Advocacy in the Tropics
Independent Advocacy in the Tropics is a community organisation formed in 1989 to provide advocacy support for people with disability in the locality of Townsville, Thuringowa and surrounding rural communities. Our Mission is to stand with and for vulnerable people with a disability through vigorous, independent advocacy.

North West Advocacy Organisation
Provides individual advocacy for people with disabilities.

Parent to Parent Association of Queensland
Parent to Parent provides support by offering to the family a team of caring, mature, and skilled parents committed to helping other parents through their times of need. It also provides information on the child's disability or health impairment in a manner that is easily understood.

Queensland Aged and Disability Advocacy Inc (QADA)
QADA is a not-for-profit community based Statewide advocacy service funded to provide information, education, support and representation to enable people to understand and exercise their rights and responsibilities. QADA provides advocacy serrvices to: recipients of Australian Government Aged Care services (eg: residential care, EACH and CACP packages); recipients of Home & Community Care (HACC) services; and carers of people receiving these services. QADA's services are free, directed by clients, confidential, independent and available throughout Queensland.

Queensland Advocacy Inc
Queensland Advocacy Incorporated (QAI) is an independent, community-based systems advocacy and legal advocacy organisation for people with disability in Queensland, Australia. QAI's mission is to promote, protect and defend, through advocacy, the fundamental needs and right and lives of the most vulnerable people with disability in Queensland. QAI does this by engaging in systems advocacy work - through campaigns directed to attitudinal, law and policy change, and by supporting the development of a range of advocacy initiatives in this State.

Queensland Parents for People with a Disability Inc
Queensland Parents for People with a Disability vigorously defends justice and rights for people with disabilities by exposing exclusionary practices, speaking out against injustices and promoting people with disabilities as respected, valued and participating members of society.

Rights In Action
Rights In Action is a non-profit, community based organization that provides strong independent advocacy to people with disabilities who are in vulnerable situations. Our aim is to change the situation of people with disabilities. We are an independent agency and as such have no conflict of interests. We are completely on the side of the person with a disability and will support them where needed. Rights In Action strongly supports cases where we believe an individual has been taken advantage of or their rights have been infringed upon because of their disability. Rights In Action provides support and help to people with disabilities in the Cairns City Council and Yarrabah areas.

Speaking Up For You Inc
Speaking Up For You (SUFY) provides an independent individual advocacy service for people with a disability aged over 16 years. SUFY services the Brisbane metropolitan area. The mission of SUFY is to advocate against unfair and unjust things happening in the lives of people with disabilities by speaking with and acting for individuals so their fundamental needs are met, lives improved and they are included in their community.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Aged and Disability Rights Service (Darwin Community Legal Service)
A rights service for older people and people with disabilities. The Aged and Disability Rights Team's service is free, independent and respects your privacy. Our Aged and Disability Rights Team helps older people who live in hostels and nursing homes or who get community aged care packages; and people with disabilities who want to know about their rights and how to get them.

Disability Advocacy Service (DAS)
The Disability Advocacy Service (DAS) is a community based service which advocates for the rights of people with a disability in the Alice Springs area.

Integrated disAbility Action Inc (IdA)
Integrated disAbility Action Inc (IdA) was officially established in 1996 to provide support to people with disabilities, their families, carers and guardians. As an advocacy support organisation our primary objective is to encourage and assist people with disabilities to become empowered and enjoy a better quality and equality of life. We provide and undertake: representation and support for people with disabilities, their families, carers and guardians; advocacy and referral support; lobbying.

Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women's Council
The NPY Women's Council is a resource support and advocacy organisation for its members residing in Aboriginal communities in the cross-border region of Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Brain Injury Network of South Australia (BINSA)
The mission of BINSA is to facilitate improved quality of life, independence and community inclusion for adults and children with acquired brain injury through: accessible state-wide advocacy, information and informal support to people with an acquired brain injury (abi) and their family/carers.

Citizen Advocacy SA Inc
Citizen Advocacy SA facilitates the development of one-to-one advocacy relationships between people with an intellectual disability living in the north eastern suburbs and volunteer advocates.

Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service of South Australia
Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service of South Australia Inc facilitates the airing and resolution of disability based grievances in a manner that supports and encourages people with a disability, their carers families and associates through the provision of individual advocacy.

Independent Advocacy SA
Independent Advocacy SA provides individual and systemic advocacy for people with an intellectual disability and their carers.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Ability Incorporated Advocacy Service
Ability Incorporated Advocacy Service is funded to advocate and support people with disabilities, their families and carers. The service is free to consumers. A person can access the service if they have a disability that has an; acquired brain injury, sensory, or physical impairment, or a combination of such, and is permanent or likely to be permanent and the person must have a need for ongoing support services. Ability Incorporated welcomes parents and service providers to seek information and support whenever needed.

Brain Injury Association of NSW
The Brain Injury Association of New South Wales is the leading advocacy body in NSW for people with an acquired brain injury, their families, carers and interested organisations. We represent their needs to government, service providers, broader community and the media.

Citizen Advocacy City West: No website. Phone: 02 9557 2933
Citizen Advocacy Eastside
Newell Citizen Advocacy: No website. Phone: 02 6792 3195
Disability Advocacy NSW
Citizen Advocacy Western Sydney: No website. Phone: 02 9893 8210
Citizen Advocacy Northside: No website. Phone: 02 9954 0833
Citizen Advocacy Illawara: No website. Phone: 02 4229 4064
Citizen Advocacy Ryde-Hunters Hill

City and Inner West Disability Advocacy (CIWDA)
CIWDA is an advocacy service which aims to promote, protect and secure the rights and interests of people with disability and their families and carers living in the local government areas of Ashfield, Canada Bay, Leichhardt, Marrickville and Sydney City.

Disability Advocacy and Information Service (DAIS)
DAIS provides advocacy support to people with disabilities and carers in North East Victoria and Southern New South Wales. DAIS provides free individual advocacy services. It also undertakes systemic advocacy and provides community education and group development.

Disability Advocacy NSW
DA was established in 2007 with the amalgamation of Disability Advocacy Service Hunter (DASH) and Advocacy Northwest (ANW). Disability Advocacy NSW Inc. is located in the Hunter, New England and Mid North Coast Regions of NSW Australia and believes that people with a disability should have the same rights as other citizens. We aim to ensure that people with a disability obtain these rights in practice by advocating with and for them.

Disability Advocacy Network
Disability advocacy service for people with disabilities, their families and carers.

Family Advocacy
Family Advocacy is an independent, community based social advocacy organisation which works with families in which there is a child or an adult who has a developmental disability. Our mission is to attain positive social roles for people who have a developmental disability. Our work is directed towards enabling and supporting families to speak up for opportunities for people with a disability to enjoy the same environment, lifestyle and living conditions that are available to the majority of Australians. This means we support the philosophy and practice of inclusion.

Indigenous Disability Advocacy Service
The Indigenous Disability Advocacy Service (IDAS) provides advocacy assistance to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders living in NSW.

Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS)
The Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS) is a community legal centre in New South Wales. We help people with an intellectual disability get their rights. We can provide legal advice and information for people within NSW, but if you would like education resources or publications we provide these nationally. At IDRS, we assist people with an intellectual disability with Legal advice; Legal casework; Education and training; Policy and law reform; Books and publications.

Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA)
The Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA) is the peak body for people from a non-English speaking background (NESB) with disability and their families and carers in NSW. MDAA is the only advocacy service in NSW available specifically to people from a NESB with disability, their families and carers. MDAA aims to promote, protect and secure the rights and interests of people from a NESB with disability and their families and carers in NSW.

People with Disability Australia (PWDA)
People with Disability Australia Incorporated is a national peak disability rights and advocacy organisation. Its primary membership is made up of people with disability and organisations primarily constituted by people with disability. Services include the Individual and Group Advocacy Service, which is a free, non-legal advocacy service for individuals and groups of people with disability who have serious and urgent problems. Available to people with all kinds of disability across NSW. The service also gives advice and information to people with disability and their associates about how advocate for themselves. Other services offered by PWDA include: systemic advocacy; information and education.

Self Advocacy Sydney
Self Advocacy Sydney is an organisation run by and for people with Intellectual Disability. The aim of Self Advocacy Sydney Inc is to support people with intellectual disability be a part of the community and to have the same rights as people who don't have a disability and to do this by involving their families when they can and should be involved.

Side By Side Advocacy Inc
Side By Side Advocacy is an organisation that promotes, protects and defends the rights, interests and dignity of people who are vulnerable.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia was formed as the Australian Quadriplegic Association in September 1967 to provide suitable accommodation for young people with severe spinal cord injuries. Our services have expanded as the need and opportunity arose. We now extend our services to all people with physical disabilities.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Advocacy South West
Advocacy South West provides individual advocacy services and programs for people with disabilities. Provides a volunteer advocate for people through our Citizen Advocacy program. Supports people to advocate for themselves through our Network South West program.

Citizen Advocacy - Perth West
The purpose of Citizen Advocacy Perth West is to encourage caring citizens from the community to advocate for and be an ally to people with disabilities on a one to one basis. Full orientation and support is provided.

Citizen Advocacy South Metropolitan
The mission of Citizen Advocacy South Metropolitan, is to promote the protection of, and advocacy for, people with Developmental disabilities. It brings the needs of an individual with a disability to the attention of a citizen who, with our support, will respond to those needs through a freely given, usually lasting, relationship.

Disability First Stop
Disability First Stop is an innovative service that will assist people with disabilities and their families get the help they need. When people have an accident or are diagnosed as having a disability, Disability First Stop will direct them towards the appropriate agencies to give them the support they need.

Disabled Workers Union
Lobby governments on behalf of disabled workers. Represent disabled people at legal aid review committee appointments with legal profession. Represent people with disabilities employed in sheltered workshops advocacy group. Affiliated with ACTU and TLC. Assist in employment.

Emmanuel Self Help Centre for People With Disabilities and Their Families
Information, advocacy, meeting place, library opportunities for people with disabilities. Social activites, support, counselling for parents and people with disabilities. Shared accommodation, work experience, training, educational courses. Live in Christian community. 24 hour emergency telephone contact.

Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre
Individual and systemic advocacy. Providing advocacy and information to ensure that ethnic people with disabilities gain equitable access to a range of services provided by government and non-government agencies. Advocating with and on behalf of individuals and/or their carers in ensuring that services are responsive to their cultural and linguistic needs. Raising community awareness of the needs and rights of ethnic people with disabilities.

Headwest
The purpose of Headwest (Head Injured Society of WA Inc) is to work towards an improved quality of life for people with an acquired brain injury. Through advocacy, referral, information and community education, to promote a greater community awareness of the impact of acquired brain injury on individuals, families, carers and friends throughout Western Australia. Headwest provides a personal advocacy service for people with an acquired brain injury. When the system does not give people what they need, Headwest's advocacy service works towards making sure that a person who is disadvantaged can have their needs met. Headwest provides an individual advocacy service that will assist people with an acquired brain injury or their family to address particular issues or problems.

Midland Information, Debt and Legal Advice Service
Disability Advocacy for people living in the Swan, Bassendean and Kalamunda areas. Tenant Advocacy, advice and info, Financial Counselling, debt resolution options, Homeswest appeals, Emergency relief (utilities only). Domestic Violence Legal Service.

People 1st Programme
The People 1st Programme provides human relationships, protective, human relationship and self-esteem education for people of all ages with an intellectual, developmental or learning disability; parents and carers; professionals and service providers, and the general community.

People With Disabilities (WA)
People With Disabilities (WA) is a non-government, peak disability consumer lobby group in WA with an interest in all types of disability (ie physical, intellectual, psychiatric, sensory & multiple). PWD (WA) aims to: operate an effective resource and advocacy agency for people with disabilities; provide advocacy and information on disability issues to individuals and groups; promote empowerment for people with disabilities; lobby & address disability issues; promote community awareness of the needs & rights of people with disabilities. Publishes a quarterly newsletter.

Personal Advocacy Service
One on one link to help develop the person with disabilities to their full potential living in Morley and the surrounds.

VICTORIA

Action For More Independence & Dignity in Accommodation (AMIDA)
AMIDA is an organisation that works on getting more housing and better tenancy rights for people with disabilities. AMIDA does this by: standing up for people with disabilities as a group; telephone advice, information, referral and support; direct advocacy on your behalf; education individually or in groups about your housing rights; helping tenants to campaign for repairs; fighting for rights for people living in community residential units ; working with other housing groups about rights for tenants with a disability; fighting for the rights of people in institutions.

Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities (ADEC)
Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities is a community based organisation which represents the rights and needs of people of non-English speaking background with a disability and their carers. ADEC provides advocacy, information, referral, education, training and consultancy.

Association for Children with a Disability
The Association for Children with a Disability is a not-for-profit, information, support and advocacy organisation for children with a disability and their families, in Victoria. The organisation is run by parents of children with a disability, and covers all types of disability. Parents/family members, professionals and service providers are welcome to contact the organisation for information and advice on any issue.

Barwon Disability Resource Council (BDRC)
The BDRC is an independent body that provides advocacy (individual, group and systemic), support and referral to people with disabilities, families and carers.

Citizen Advocacy Inner East
Citizen Advocacy Western Region: No website. Ph: 03 9311 1182
North East Citizen Advocacy
Citizen Advocacy Gippsland: No website. Ph: 03 5133 9440
Southern Citizen Advocacy
Citizen Advocacy Sunbury: No website. Ph: 03 9744 7378

Colac/Otway Region Advocacy Service (CORAS)
Provides a varied range of advocacy services for people with disabilities. Types of advocacy include individual advocacy, selfadvocacy, and group advocacy. C.O.R.A.S. also provides consumers with information and access to other services through networking and referral.

Disability Employment Action Centre (DEAC)
The Disability Employment Action Centre (DEAC) is a Melbourne-based, not-for-profit organisation founded in 1984 to represent people with a disability. DEAC creates opportunity and choice for those with a disability through quality, creativity and initiative. It increases the integration of people in the community by providing advocacy and research skills, education and training services, as well as employment opportunities (through its Flinders Employment Service and Women's Employment Support Service). DEAC's range of services also includes disability awareness workshops as well as comprehensive information services - all geared to empowering those with a disability to help themselves.

Disability Justice Advocacy
Disability Justice Advocacy Inc. provides quality advocacy to people who have high support needs because of physical or multiple disability. This can be from one-off advice to ongoing support, sometimes over many years. DJA works towards justice and inclusion for people with disability. We focus on the fundamental needs, rights and interests of people with disability. DJA is an independent organisation and free from conflicts of interest. We provide advocacy for as long as is needed and remain accountable to the people we are supporting.

Disability Rights Victoria
Disability Rights Victoria is an advocacy organisation directed by people with disability. We work with and on behalf of adults with physical and multiple disability. Our aim is to ensure that all Victorians with physical and multiple disabilities enjoy the same citizenship rights and life opportunities as other members of society.

Gippsland Disability Resource Council
The role of the Gippsland Disability Resource Council is to provide information on disability and disability services; provide individual and systemic advocacy services and undertake community education programs in the Gippsland area.

Grampians Disability Advocacy Association Inc
The role of the Grampians Disability Advocacy Association is to support and empower adults with disabilities in their efforts toward independence, improved quality of life and full participation in the community through advocacy, information and referral. Organisation services the Grampians Region.

Headway Victoria
Headway Victoria works alongside people living with acquired brain injury to: promote and defend their right to make choices about their lives; ensure they have ready access to the information, support and resources they require; ensure that the life changing experience of ABI informs service development, government policy and decision making; fight for the overall provision of equal opportunities; and raise community awareness.

Regional Information and Advocacy Council (RIAC)
The Regional Information & Advocacy Council is an association of self help groups, individuals with disabilities, carers and family members of people with disabilities. Services provided include: individual advocacy; systemic advocacy; information, support and referral; community education. RIAC offices are located in Shepparton; Bendigo; Mildura; and Swan Hill.

Southwest Advocacy Association Inc
Southwest Advocacy Inc is an independent community based non-profit organization that provides advocacy for people with disabilities in South West Victoria. We provide information, referral and advocacy for people with physical, intellectual, sensory, psychiatric or learning disabilities, and people with acquired brain injuries.

STAR Victoria
STAR advocates for the rights of people with an intellectual disability and their families. We believe people with an intellectual disability have the right to live as valued members in the community. We promote access to mainstream services and lobby government to provide more appropriate and adequate services. STAR aims to empower families with information that can lead to informed choices and positive action.

Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability Inc (VALID)
VALID is a disability advocacy organisation committed to the vision of an Australian nation in which people with disability are empowered to exercise their rights - as human beings and as citizens - in accordance with the United Nations Declarations on Human Rights and the Rights of Disabled Persons. VALID is funded by the Victorian State Government to provide peak representation of adults with intellectual disability and to operate an advocacy support service for adults with intellectual disability, their families/carers and advocates.

Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
The VMIAC is a Victorian not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to provide support, advocacy and referrals to people who are experiencing emotional or mental distress, as well as providing information and education about mental health services to the whole community.

Victorian Women with Disabilities Network Advocacy Information Service
The Victorian Women with Disabilities Advocacy Service provides a range of advocacy and support services for women with disabilities living across Victoria, as well as undertaking research into strategies to better support them.

Villamanta Legal Service Inc
Villamanta Legal Service is a statewide (Victoria) free community legal centre which works only on disability related legal issues, with particular focus on issues which affect people with an intellectual disability. It provides:

Westernport Speaking Out
Westernport Speaking Out is a self advocacy organisation for people with intellectual disabilities, located in Frankston. It's aims and objectives are: to empower people to speak out, make choices and take an active role in decisions that affect their lives; to promote the rights of people with an intellectual disability so they can live in the community and be treated with dignity and respect; to assist people with an intellectual disability to develop skills, knowledge and confidence so that they can advocate on issues on their own behalf.

State/Territory Aged Care Rights Advocacy Organisations

Advocacy (Individual)

Contents (last updated March 2009)

State/Territory Disability Advocacy Organisations

TASMANIA

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY (ACT)

QUEENSLAND

NORTHERN TERRITORY

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA

State/Territory Aged Care Rights Advocacy Organisations

TASMANIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA

NEW SOUTH WALES

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

QUEENSLAND

NORTHERN TERRITORY

WESTERN AUSTRALIA