How a Disability Advocate Can Help You Get a Fair Go in the Community
At Sistability, we work closely with people who support our clients’ rights, wellbeing, and independence. One of the most important supports available to people with disability is independent disability advocacy — a free service designed to help individuals navigate unfairness, discrimination, and complex systems that can often feel overwhelming.
A Disability Advocate is someone who stands beside a person with disability, helping them understand their rights, speak up, and be fully included in their community. This support can be the difference between feeling powerless and feeling confident to take action.
What a Disability Advocate Does
Disability Advocates provide individual advocacy support for anyone with disability who is facing challenges, barriers, or unfair treatment. Their role is not to make decisions for someone but to support them to make their own informed choices.
Advocates commonly assist with:
• Guardianship
• Supported decision-making (SDM)
• Power of Attorney (non-legal assistance)
• Financial management orders
• Exercising will and preference
• Issues with service providers
• Education-related concerns
• Justice and legal matters (non-legal support)
• Housing, including SIL, SDA, STA, community housing and rentals
• Centrelink problems
• Medical and health advocacy
• Access and inclusion
• Discrimination
• Insurance issues
• Complaints and disputes
This type of support empowers a person to have their voice heard and ensures they are treated fairly across all areas of life.
Disability Advocacy NSW — Speaking Up for Fairness
Many Disability Advocates work through organisations such as Disability Advocacy NSW, which offers free and confidential advocacy support across much of the state.
These services help individuals challenge unfair decisions, understand policies and systems, and resolve issues involving:
• Government services like Centrelink
• The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• Disability service providers
• Schools, universities and training providers
• Workplaces
• Local councils
• Housing and accommodation
• Healthcare and transport services
Advocacy organisations also help improve systems and communities by working toward wider, long-term change for people with disability.
How Advocacy Connects to the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP)
The Australian Government funds independent advocacy through the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP). This program ensures people with disability have access to someone who can:
• Provide independent, unbiased support
• Help them understand and act on their rights
• Assist with disputes, complaints or service issues
• Speak up when something isn’t fair
• Support decision-making without taking over
• Navigate systems such as NDIS, housing, justice, schools or Centrelink
NDAP exists to ensure that everyone has a fair go when dealing with essential services and important life decisions.
Why Advocacy Matters
For many of our aged care and NDIS clients, everyday systems can be confusing, stressful or impossible to navigate alone. Having an independent advocate ensures that individuals are:
• Represented fairly
• Included in decision-making
• Supported through challenges
• Treated with respect and dignity
Advocacy is especially valuable for people with limited family support, communication barriers or complex needs. It provides reassurance that no one has to face these systems on their own.
How to Access Advocacy Support
Disability advocacy services are completely free, and referrals can be made by individuals, families, support coordinators or professionals.
People can access support by:
• Calling the advocacy intake line (e.g. 1300 365 085)
• Visiting da.org.au
• Filling out the online “Get Help” referral form
• Emailing their local advocacy office
Advocates can also attend community events or group meetings to share information about rights and the support available.
Final Thoughts
At Sistability, we believe in supporting people with disability at every level — through safe homes, quality care and access to the independent advocacy they deserve.
Disability Advocates play a vital role in ensuring people are treated fairly, heard clearly and supported confidently. If you work with someone who may benefit from extra assistance or who is struggling to navigate a system, advocacy may be the perfect next step.
It’s free, confidential and designed to help people with disability get a fair go.
