Individual advocacy

Individual advocacy is a one-on-one approach, usually undertaken by a professional advocate, to support people with disability:

to understand their rights
to navigate services
to address gaps in support
to address discrimination, conflict and unfair treatment
to make informed decisions
to build capacity to advocate for themselves
ensure fundamental needs are met.

In Queensland there are 11 disability advocacy organisations funded by the Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships to provide individual disability advocacy. Advocacy is provided based on either a regional need or for certain cohorts. The 11 individual advocacy organisations funded are:

Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia (ADAA)
Speaking Up For You (SUFY)
The Advocacy and Support Centre (TASC)
Rights In Action
Mackay Advocacy
People with Disability Australia (PWDA)
Capricorn Citizen Advocacy (CCA)
Independent Advocacy in the Tropics (IATI)
Amparo (specialising in working with people who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse)
Side by Side (by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Disability Network Queensland – ATSIDNQ) (specialising in working with people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Queensland Advocacy Incorporated (QAI) (specialising in working with people under the age of 18)

To find an individual advocate in your area, head to the contact us page or use the National Disability Advocacy finder on the Department of Social Services website or to our contact us page.