Advocacy and information services - resources for service providers
Advocacy and information services perform a crucial role in the disability sector by helping people to make informed decisions about their lives and help them to choose how they wish to engage with their communities.
Disability advocacy and information guidelines
Disability advocacy and information guidelines were introduced across NSW in October 2010 to provide greater clarity in the delivery of advocacy services for individuals and groups of people with a disability, their families and carers.
The guidelines provide advice on service expectations and the aims and objectives of information and advocacy services across NSW.
Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) work with the advocacy sector and use feedback from people with a disability to refine advocacy and information programs. The aim is to develop good practice in the delivery of advocacy and information supports for people with a disability, their families and carers.
Advocacy and Information 2011/12 work plans
The Disability Advocacy and Information 2011/12 Work Plan template (DOC) is now available for services to use to develop their work plans.
To assist Advocacy and Information Services the work plan submission date has been extended from 1 November 2011 to 30 November 2011.
Please find attached the updated Advocacy and Information Services Work Plans Fact Sheet (PDF) reflecting the change in the date that the work plan needs to be submitted to the Regional Director.
Working in person centred ways
In June 2011 Australian Catholic University provided training to representatives from Disability Advocacy and Information Services organisations to assist them work in person centred ways.
A resource book was developed to supplement learning from the workshops.
A hard copy of the workbook has been forwarded to everyone who attended the workshops and is now available to all Disability Advocacy and Information Services organisations here: Working in Person Centred Ways: a Resource Book for NSW Advocacy and Information Services (PDF).
If you would like further information about the workbook you can contact the Person Centred Approaches Team on 1800 605 489 or by emailing pcaconsultations@facs.nsw.gov.au.
Information Services
Information services, including print disability services, provide accessible information to people with a disability, their families and carers as well as to the broader community. Information services organisations provide specific information about access to the community, disability supports and equipment. They also promote the development of community awareness. Information services may also provide information in easy-to-read formats, including Easy and plain English and community languages, culturally welcoming images, e-text and symbol communication to increase the reach of information.Funded Information Services are guided by and required to comply with the NSW Information Program Guidelines (Disability) (PDF). The guidelines have been informed by extensive consultation processes via discussion papers and direct liaison with the NSW information sector.
Advocacy Services
Individual advocacy promotes the rights of people with a disability as respected and valued participants in the community with equal opportunity, choice and inclusion.
Advocacy services enable people with a disability to increase the power and control they have over their lives in order to enjoy what they see as a ‘good life’ for themselves. Services encourage and assist people with a disability to achieve and maintain their rights as citizens and achieve equity of access and participation within their communities.
Funded Advocacy Services are guided by and required to comply with the NSW Advocacy Program Guidelines (Disability) (PDF). The guidelines have been informed by extensive consultation processes via discussion papers and direct liaison with the NSW advocacy sector.
Advocacy or Information Services Directory
Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) supports advocacy and information organisations to provide free services to people with a disability, their families and carers.
The Directory below will assist you to locate a funded advocacy and/or information service near you.
The Table of Contents on page 2 includes hyperlinks that will take you directly to State-wide advocacy or information services, more detailed maps of each of the ADHC Regions, and lists of services in each Region.