More about ADACAS

ADACAS believes it is the right of every person to develop their potential, contribute to the community, and be free from all forms of discrimination.

Advocacy Information Representation Education

Documents
ADACAS Annual Report 2006.pdf
ADACAS Annual Report 2005 [Word document, 202 Kb]
ADACAS Annual Report 2002-03 [Word document, 363 Kb]
ADACAS External Complaints Policy [Word document, 63 Kb]
Crisis in ACT Mental Health Services

Advocacy

What is advocacy?

The word “advocate” has been in use for hundreds of years. It comes from the Latin meaning “to be called to stand beside”. Advocacy means: speaking or pleading on behalf of others, with vigour and commitment.

Why is advocacy necessary?

People with disabilities, older people and their carers have the same civil and political rights as any other person. They have the right:

to a decent standard of living
to equal opportunities in all situations
to the accommodation services, support services, training programs and medical treatment that they need
to participate in community life
to protection against abuse, exploitation and discrimination
to have control over decisions about their life
to have an advocate, friend or lawyer represent them if necessary
to get information about their rights.

[it is a sad fact of life that often people with a disability, older people aren't in a position of power

so we help make sure these things happen by providing information and education to individuals organisations and the general public

When people can't exercise their choices, their rights and responsibilities on their own for some reason, we can represent their interests.]

More about Rights | Guide to Commonsense Advocacy

Contents

Information

What kind of information can ADACAS provide?

We will provide up-to-date details on:

what services are available to meet your needs
what you need to do to be able to use these services
what are the eligibility criteria for these services, and
what are the costs, if any.

We can help you if you have a complaint about a service you are getting or the way you are being treated.

Why do people need information?

Some people find it difficult to know what is available to them. Perhaps they have heard about a service but don’t know where it is, if they are eligible, how much it costs or how to arrange it. Or they may be in a crisis situation and need help, but don’t know what kind of help is available or how to get it.

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Representation

ADACAS does not mediate between people, but stands beside the person who needs assistance and represents their interests.

Why does a person need representation?

Everyone needs someone to represent them at some time in their life. Usually this happens when a person is having trouble exercising their choices, rights and responsibilities, or interests. This may be because of lack of experience, fear of reprisal, the effects of medication, or the effects of a medical condition.

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Education

We educate individuals and the general public by providing information:

We give information to people with disabilities, people who are ageing or their carers, to enable them to identify their rights and responsibilities and then exercise them.
We give information to the general public, community groups, organisations and individuals to raise awareness of the general issues surrounding disability, ageing and being a carer.

Why is it important to provide education?

Many people are unaware of their rights and responsibilities. They may be afraid to use them because they have never had to before; or they may feel people won't like them if they do.

Without the knowledge, skills and opportunities to exercise their rights and responsibilities, people will not be able to participate as full members of the community.

The general public is usually unaware of the problems, concerns, rights and responsibilities of people who are ageing, people with disabilities and the carers of these people.

Contents

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gold rule

A.C.T. Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS) Inc.
PO Box 144, Dickson ACT 2602
Office: Suite 207, Block C, Canberra Technology Park, Phillip Avenue, Watson
Phone: (02) 6242 5060 Fax: (02) 6242 5063 TTY: (02) 6242 5065.
Email us at adacas@adacas.org.au .

Last modified 17 May 2005