Unfortunately people with disability are not offered the same opportunities as others in our community and they regularly need to speak up, or have people to speak up for them to get a fair go. Often, families must become advocates because their family member faces rejection, discrimination or low expectations.

This workshop will help people with disability and family members to “find their voice”, stand their ground, and become more effective in influencing what happens in their life, or for their family member.

This workshop, led by presenters  with experience in advocating for and alongside people with disability, will introduce participants to the principles and fundamentals of social advocacy.

Topics covered will include advocacy strategies, pitfalls, how to deal with feelings of emotional vulnerability, and how to stay focused on your best interests, or those of your family member.

This workshop covers similar material to The Meaning of Advocacy workshop previously offered by CRU.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is for people with disability and family members, as well as close friends and allies, who take up an unpaid advocacy role, or would like to learn where to begin. It is not suitable for workers.

Using Your NDIS Funding at CRU

For self-managing and plan-managed NDIS participants, you can see the Learning Objectives below to decide if this is a reasonable and necessary support to help you (or your family member) achieve their goals.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop you will:

• Understand why people with disability need social advocacy.
• Recognise what to advocate for: inclusion and ‘the good life’ for people with disability.
• Know what common forms of social advocacy there are and what they mean, and understand what may be called advocacy that is not.
• Be able to describe the elements or principles of social advocacy and their importance.
• Look at the costs of advocacy and consider where potential conflicts of interest lie.
• Identify barriers to social advocacy and how to overcome them.
• Develop strategies to support effective advocacy.

About CRU:

For over 35 years, Community Resource Unit has been working across Queensland to help people with disability take control of their lives and take their place in their community.

These events are partly subsidised by a Department of Social Services grant. If cost is a barrier to attending, please contact CRU to discuss.