....to the lives of children
and adults with developmental disability;
....to the knowledge and
influence of families undertaking advocacy roles;
....to building a better
community for everyone!
How will you benefit by being a financial member?
Financial members automatically receive Family Advocacy’s
Newsletter, “Families for Change” as well as the regular information Bulletin
which keeps you up-to-date on articles, books and videos in our Library, The Inclusion
Collection.
You will be more connected to others who share
similar ideas.
You will belong to an organisation that
shares your hopes for a better community and a more accountable government
You’ll be part of a strong, well-respected
people-based organisation which aims to achieve positive change
You'll be able to nominate to become a member of
the Management Committee
How will Family Advocacy benefit?
The organisation benefits from knowing that its
“cause” is supported by increasing numbers of people. Membership keeps Family
Advocacy healthy and renewed.
And, of course…
every membership
dollar received helps us to have a small (very small!) independent source of funds –
a key principle in advocacy.
The membership fee is $10.00 per person per year, or $20.00
per person for three years. So, please think about it and, if you are interested, read
on………………
What do you need to know?
A major part of becoming a member of any organisation is that
you share its aims and goals. No application form can tell the whole story, but
there are several things that you need to know in making your decision to apply for
membership:
Family Advocacy undertakes systems advocacy and develops the
advocacy skills of families. We are not a service provider, nor do we provide family
therapy or counselling.
The advocacy undertaken is to promote and protect the human
rights and the full inclusion of people who have a developmental disability as valued and
contributing members of the whole community.
We work towards localised, individual support services which
do not segregate children or adults, and which enable people to develop relationships with
members of the wider community.We
acknowledge that history has left us a legacy of segregation and disempowerment. Family
Advocacy’s mission statement means that we will continually try to get this changed.
People who become members should be
committed to the same goals.
This
doesn’t mean that there is an expectation that inclusion has been achieved for
yourself, your son or daughter, family member, or friend who has a developmental
disability. Government policies, legislation, and resources, as well as attitudes
and ignorance, often act as significant barriers to achieving the goals of inclusion. What
is crucial is that you are committed to inclusion and, despite the barriers, are prepared
to support and promote the struggle to achieve this on behalf of your own family member
and people who have a developmental disability.
What does inclusion mean?
It means that, irrespective of the nature or degree of disability,
people fulfil valued roles in all walks of life alongside typical and valued people with
the level of support required. Inclusion means being a co-student in regular classes of
local neighbourhood schools, a co-worker in an ordinary place of work, an employer,
tenant, home-owner, friend, athlete, or club member. It means recognising that all people
have gifts and contributions to make to society and that good communities are built on
diversity and relationships between people.
How to apply?
Membership is open to individuals and is not available to
organisations, or people who represent organisations
If you are one of the following:
a parent, brother or sister or other relative of a person who
has a developmental disability;
a person who has a disability;
a friend, ally or advocate of a person who has a developmental
disability;<
a person who works with, or on behalf of,people who have a
developmental disability;
and
you are committed to advocacy, inclusion and a valued role for
people who have a developmental disability
Your application will be considered by the next Management
Committee meeting and you will hear from us directly after that meeting. Your membership
fee will not be banked until the Management Committee has considered the application.
