Generalist Independent Advocacy for People with Disability

Independent disability advocacy includes:

• Time-limited, issue-specific advocacy that aligns with individually funded program guidelines, in geographical areas
• Advocates act as a support person or in a supportive role for people with disability or mental illness;
• Provide limited support to parents, carers or QCAT appointed Guardians who are advocating for a child, young person or adult with a disability
• Supply professional, evidence-based, person-centred advice and information, including self-advocacy education; and
• Provide information to people with disability about their human rights and identifying instances of discrimination, including what constitutes a complaint to the QLD Human Rights Commission; and
• Inform people with disability by supplying experienced guidance and assistance to navigate complex systems such as education & training, employment and fair work, access to justice and legal services through referrals, and
• Assist people with disabilities, including those with a mental illness, in upholding their rights by working in partnership with, acting, speaking and writing on behalf of and
• Raise community awareness of the rights of people with disability under articles of the United Nations Convention of Rights of People with Disability (UNCRPD) and the QLD Human Rights Act.
• Help people with disability negotiate complaints processes and implement ethical principles and practical support to make informed decisions through the supported decision-making process and
• Provide regional individual advocacy to all people with a disability, their families and carers within the geographical catchment areas through virtual/online, phone or in-person, and
• Write submissions and lobby the government to make changes that promote and protect the rights of people with disability as part of systemic advocacy and
• Champion disability advocacy and campaign for social change by raising awareness and highlighting situations where people with disability are mistreated, neglected, exploited, discriminated against or denied access to services or support because of disability or mental illness
• If a person with a disability has mobility restrictions, RIA can arrange a home visit upon completion of a comprehensive risk assessment - conditions apply

Eligibility criteria: To be eligible for free independent disability advocacy, a person (of any age) must have a diagnosed, severe, chronic, and episodic mental illness or permanent disability with a substantial reduction in functioning, require disability-specific support or assistance for daily living, and live in RIA's serviceable regions.

What is a disability? The word disability is a broad term covering a whole range of experiences. Sometimes, people have difficulty seeing, learning, walking, thinking, hearing, or facing challenges that others don't. This is referred to as having a disability.

Disability Advocates DO NOT:

• Provide counselling or intensive personal support
• Complete forms, agreements, wills or other legal documents on behalf of a person i.e Services Australia claims for payments/entitlement forms
• Make decisions for a person with a disability or mental illness
• Provide legal or medical advice
• Case management
• Give information to providers of NDIS services such as Support Coordinators, Disability Support Workers or anyone who is employed to provide personal care or assistance to people with disability, unless a referral for advocacy support has been received