The Role of Advocacy in the NDIS
14 July, 2021
An advocate can help you engage directly with the NDIS. Advocates play a large role in understanding and accessing NDIS support. Focus Care has compiled a guide to advocacy, how it can help you, and why it is important for those who are approaching the NDIS.
What is advocacy?
An advocate is a trusted friend, relative, or professional advocacy service that can assist you in ensuring your rights are upheld in a range of ways. It is important that an advocate is independent of the NDIS, and is free of any conflict of interest. This is so the advocate is able to accurately reflect your voice in matters that concern you.
What can advocacy help me with?
Advocacy can help you with a number of NDIS processes. This includes:
Your NDIS Plan Review
Setting your NDIS goals
Making a complaint or giving feedback to the NDIS
Finding a Service Provider that is right for you.
How can I access advocacy services?
If you are not using a trusted friend or family member, there are professional advocacy services you can access to assist you. A good place to start is the Disability Advocacy Network Australia, known as the national voice of independent advocacy. DANA promotes the role of independent advocacy, and gives its members a collective voice.
Why is advocacy important?
Advocacy can help a person with a disability navigate the NDIS, and all of the complications that can arise as well. It ensures that a person with a disability is able to have their voice heard, and their preferences managed fairly.
How can Focus Care help me?
Focus Care is a registered NDIS provider that encourages the use of advocacy, allowing you to exercise choice over your decisions. If you or a loved one are looking for personalised disability support, contact us today.
Additional Resources:
Disability Advocacy Network Australia
Intellectual Disability Rights Service