Right now, only 1 in 2 people with disability have access to independent disability advocacy support. The Australian government must significantly increase funding for independent disability advocacy organisations to support people with disability.
Disability advocates are a crucial part of the disability ecosystem in Australia. The disability advocacy sector is chronically underfunded and faces massive challenges from the lack of funding to service demand. Every second person with disability that knocks on our doors must be turned away, as organisations are stretched to their limits:
Advocacy waiting lists are huge
Organisations and advocates are at breaking point
Many organisations are ...
Right now, only 1 in 2 people with disability have access to independent disability advocacy support. The Australian government must significantly increase funding for independent disability advocacy organisations to support people with disability.
Disability advocates are a crucial part of the disability ecosystem in Australia. The disability advocacy sector is chronically underfunded and faces massive challenges from the lack of funding to service demand. Every second person with disability that knocks on our doors must be turned away, as organisations are stretched to their limits:
Advocacy waiting lists are huge
Organisations and advocates are at breaking point
Many organisations are at risk of closure
Rural and remote areas don’t get enough resources
Investing in advocacy will strengthen the rights of people with disability. Independent disability advocates are an essential partner in solving problem, addressing crisis, ensuring that changes are understood, information is disseminated, and service and systems work for people with disability. Having someone independent to turn to can be the only support for a person with disability as they face complex systems and higher risks of abuse. Without a significant increase in funding for our sector, disability advocacy organisations cannot do the vital work they do.
The Australian government must triple the funding of independent disability advocacy, giving support to everyone who asks for help. Together, we need to tell the Federal Government why an investment of at least $91 million into disability advocacy is crucial to strengthen and sustain our future.
When disability advocacy organisations are funded:
Everyone can get help when they need it
More advocacy benefits all other systems
Advocates can proactively reach out to people not getting support
Facilitating culturally safe advocacy
Learn more about the SPEAK UP! For Independent Advocacy campaign at: https://speakupadvocacy.com.au/
Right now, only 1 in 2 people with disability have access to independent disability advocacy support. The Australian government must significantly increase funding for independent disability advocacy organisations to support people with disability.
NOW is the time for government to act! But we can only convince them with YOUR help and YOUR actions.
Join with us in urging the Australian government to triple their funding of independent advocacy, giving support to everyone who asks for help. It is critical as that we keep the pressure up on the Australian Government to act now and invest in advocacy that is needed to strengthen the rights of people with disability.
We have set up this easy-to-use letter that we encourage you to add your own stories to and tell the Australian Government why it's important that there is urgent action.
It takes just a few minutes but can make a big difference if you add your name to a letter today.
SPEAK UP! For Independent Advocacy