Advocacy is acting, speaking or writing to promote, protect and defend the rights of a person or group of people. Advocates can advocate for themselves, another person, or a group of people with disability. Advocates may be paid or volunteer their time for free.
Self-advocacy is when someone with disability speaks up and represents themselves. Community-based groups can offer support and training for self-advocacy.
Advocacy for Inclusion represents Canberra’s most marginalised and isolated people with disabilities, including those persons with cognitive disabilities and/or significant communication barriers.
They support the voice of people with disabilities and are committed to growing that voice in all forums.
The Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU) supports Victorian self advocacy groups that are run by and for people with an intellectual disability, people with an acquired brain injury and people with complex communication support needs.
People with disabilities and self advocates have a say in all of the work the SARU does. Self advocacy groups can join SARU forums and conferences and also help to plan the forums and conferences.
The Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALID’s) mission is to promote and protect the human rights of people with an intellectual disability and to champion their rights as citizens to: Community Presence, Choice, Respect, Community Participation and Self Determination. VALID provides individual advocacy, systemic advocacy, and self-advocacy. VALID also provides a range of training that empowers people with disabilities to make choices and take control over their own lives.
