Select Area BUILDING A VISION CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DEINSTITUTIONALISATION EDUCATION INDIVIDUALISED FUNDING NAT'L DISABILITY AGREEMNT NATIONAL & STATE ISSUES SUPPORTED LIVING

---

Glossary of Terms

Family Advocacy provides advocacy advice and information and referral over the telephone and via email - where that approach is preferred.

If you are a mother, father, brother, sister, relative or friend, or someone working with a person with disability, you can phone to discuss issues.

We can provide you with information, resources and/or contacts to help you plan and develop an effective strategy consistent with the long term interests of the person with disability.

You can call as often as you need to during business hours (9am - 5pm).  It is free to call and calls are confidential.

Families can be provided with:

• contact information for other organisations - where the matter concerns an issue outside Family Advocacy 's area of expertise (such as a legal matter)
• details about the appropriate person to contact
• articles or other materials that will assist them in their advocacy efforts.

Family advocacy receives calls about a whole range of topics and issues.

Click here for examples of calls:

The sister of a man with autism was interested in what would happen to her brother when their parents were no longer alive. We discussed and strategised around planning for the future and provided a range of literature and contacts that would provide ideas and assistance.

The father of a child with intellectual disability was concerned about the amount of support that his child would receive in a mainstream school setting. We discussed the funding process, how supports could be used and the relevant personnel that could provide assistance. We also spoke about relevant web sites and provided him with documents and articles that included details about support. In addition, we discussed examples of inclusion at school.

A mother called to discuss her son with disability who it was alleged had been assaulted in a group home. We discussed who to contact, assisted with the drafting of letters, considered the appropriate outcome and discussed preparation for future communications.

A parent of a man with intellectual disability called to discuss the Community Participation Program. There was a discussion of the funding levels, the process of appeal, dealing with service providers and a consideration of the questions that need to be asked.

A mother of an adult son who is supported by a non government agency rang because she was concerned that he was being moved into inappropriate accommodation. A strategy was devised that included possible options. Meeting preparation was also covered with a consideration of who should attend, what materials to prepare and what information should be obtained before the meeting.