Human Services Research Institute’s Post

We are urging the Australian Government to significantly increase funding for independent advocacy organisations, like DDWA, who directly support people with disability. Developmental Disability WA (DDWA) is a member of Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA), and we support the Speak Up! campaign. You can make a difference by emailing your local MP (member of parliament/politician) using DANA's ACTION tool. Access the ACTION tool "Email Your Local MP" and read more about the campaign, HERE: #SpeakUp4Advocacy #IndependentAdvocacy #DisabilityRights #FundingForHumanRights #SpeakUp4RuralAdvocacy #AdvocacyForAll #AdvocateForAll #SpeakUp4LocalAdvocacy

For better or worse, I found reading this article interesting. It illustrates examples of some of the complex angles that exist around disability and accessibility, and advocacy, in our society. The title is a little misleading but also an important part of the story. https://lnkd.in/gvynqXme

NEW blog post ✍️ In our latest post, we are digging deeper into the recommendations between the NDIS Review and the DRC on independent disability advocacy, and the impacts for people with disability and independent disability advocates in managing change. Independent advocacy plays critical roles in both facilitating and safeguarding the disability and NDIS ecosystems, and that's why DANA and our member organisations are calling for significantly higher injections of funding in the next budget. Read the full post on our website: https://ow.ly/4Haa50QpLqO

As ever, the Debrief mailbag has insights from around the world. This edition explores in particular appreciation - and critique - of our coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict, the status of disability advocacy, and much more. https://lnkd.in/e5FsMHuX

💛 Today on #RewritingTheNarrative: ✏️ In the latest contribution to the blog, Gloria Bennett reflects on how chronic illness is sometimes separated from disability advocacy spaces and how, in the face of this separation, the Disability Justice Principles offer an alternative and inclusive way to build community. Read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/ek8apE78

Government support is so necessary!

We are urging the Australian government to triple their funding for independent advocacy organisations (like DDWA) who directly support people with disability. This is Leticia, our Advocacy Manager (as well as supreme empathiser and bottomless knowledge resource for the NDIS). Advocates like Leticia and others on our team must prioritise urgent and critical cases. We reply to all calls for questions and concerns and support everyone as best we can. Sometimes, like many in the disability sector providing indepenedent (under- or non-funded) advocacy services, we can’t step in to help less urgent cases before they reach a crisis point. According to Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA): • Every second person with a disability is being turned away due to lack of available advocates. • Lack of advocacy support is leaving people with disability in crisis, with their supports for housing, health, and disability being at risk As a member of DANA, we endorse the pre- Budget submission made on 14 November 2023 calling for $91 million of additional funding. • Additional funding will mean independent advocacy organisations can meet demand through to July 2025. • Without advocacy funding, people with disability will not have their voices heard. You can access a drafted template email to send to your local member of parliament (MP) to demand increased funding. Access the ACTION tool to email Government here: https://buff.ly/490yyZA or search "DANA Speak Up campaign Email Government". #SpeakUp4LocalAdvocacy #SpeakUp4Advocacy #IndependentAdvocacy #AdvocacyForAll

https://lnkd.in/gXkPSJbT... Navigating Support: A Comprehensive Guide to Accessing a... In Australia, the landscape of disability advocacy has evolved significantly, with a focus on empowering individuals with disabilities to assert their rights... #advocate #disability #advocacy

If there is one thing I’ve learned in 2023, it’s the enormous value of independent advocacy. Yesterday, I was reflecting on the incredible work my tiny Human Rights Advocacy team has done this year with and for disabled young people. We do highly skilled work in complex legal and ethical contexts, enabling disabled young people to have their voice heard and rights upheld. As independent advocates, we represent the human rights and best interests of disabled young people who find themselves experiencing injustice, oppression and discrimination at the intersections of complex systems like child protection, health, NDIS, justice, housing and education. We build the capacity of disabled young people and their loved ones to self-advocate, know their rights and have their voices heard. The Youth Disability Advocacy Service is the only independent disability advocacy service in Australia who provides individual advocacy exclusively to those aged 12-25 who identify as disabled, neurodivergent, experiencing mental ill health or have chronic illness. We are a highly specialised service, with unique expertise in the intersectional experiences and sectors of youth and disability. Yet the entire independent advocacy sector is chronically underfunded. Across our sector, 1 in 2 of those who reach out for advocacy assistance are turned away due to a lack of funding and resources. In the wake of the disability royal commission and the NDIS review, it is clear that as a nation we need to properly invest in independent disability advocacy. Independent disability advocacy organisations all across Australia are calling on the Federal government to properly fund our vital services. At this crucial time for young disabled Australians, we need our allies in the youth, disability, human rights and social justice sectors to join us - that means you! Please join us by subscribing to the Speak Up campaign and doing your bit to help amplify this campaign being led by our friends and colleagues at Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) Ltd Write to your MP, share with your networks and use the social media resources as they become available in the coming weeks. Please use your voice and share your power and privilege so that every disabled Australian, of any age, can access advocacy support when they need it. #DisabilityRights #DisabilityAdvocacy #YoungPeople #SpeakUp #HumanRights Youth Affairs Council Victoria Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) Youth Support + Advocacy Service Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC) Children and Young People with Disability Australia People with Disability Australia (PWDA) Yellow Ladybugs I CAN Network Ltd Amaze Association for Children with a Disability

Please join us today for the KEEP THE PROMISE RALLY!! Californians with Disabilities to Rally this Friday, May 31, from 10-Noon Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are rallying in opposition to Governor Newsom's budget proposal to delay rate model implementation for intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) services WHEN: Friday, May 31, 2024 TIME: 10 a.m. until noon WHERE: 1350 Front St. in San Diego WHO: Participating organizations include Noah Homes, San Diego Regional Center, The Arc of San Diego, California Disability Services Association, Home of Guiding Hands, ARCA, A Better Life Together, Inc., Adjoin, DDPN San Diego and California Community Living Network. WHAT: Keep The Promise Rally OVERVIEW: • Governor Newsom has proposed to delay a $1 billion increase in critical funding for Californians with developmental disabilities until 2025. • For a community that has been underfunded for decades, keeping rates the same will have the impact of a cut. • This increase is imperative to ensure reliable access to services for people with disabilities and their families. • 150,000 caregivers in California are anticipating a wage increase between $2-$4 per hour in July which is essential to retain and recruit qualified caregivers. • As of May 29, 2024, the Legislature released a budget proposal rejecting any delays or cuts to disability service funding. Advocates are encouraging the governor to accept this proposal. ON-SITE INTERVIEWEES: • Tim, a long-time resident of Noah Homes and SDRC Board member, will speak at the event. • Kim Keane, Director of Program Development for Noah Homes, is available to connect. More about Noah Homes: Based in Spring Valley, Calif. Noah Homes is a nonprofit organization committed to providing exceptional care and services to adults with developmental disabilities maximizing their lifelong independence in a community environment. Its 11-acre community in San Diego County has 10 beautiful homes where 90 adult residents are supported socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Learn more at noahhomes.org.