Speaking up

Advocating for people with a disability

Speak up and become an advocate to change people's minds on what they think about disability.

Use our Advocacy Manual and Workbook (358kb, PDF) to get started on the adventure of advocacy.

Advocacy is speaking acting, writing with minimal conflict of interest on behalf of the sincerely perceived interests of a disadvantaged person or group to promote, protect and defend their welfare and justice by:

  • being on their side and no-one else’s;
  • being primarily concerned with their fundamental needs; and
  • remaining loyal and accountable to them in a way which is emphatic and vigorous and which is, or is likely to be, costly to the advocate or advocacy group.
How do you change people's minds through advocacy?
  • Educate
    • Use facts & figures and personal stories to educate politicians, ministers and people in the community about the reality of the issue you are lobbying.
  • Reduce emotional distance
    • Tailor your advocacy pitch and presentation to your audience.
  • Garner power
    • Have the numbers: make sure you have lots of people you can call supporters.
  • Apply pressure
    • Apply pressure through the media and rallying support from public opinion.

Our Advocacy Workbook covers how to:

  • Gather data and research
  • Identify audiences
  • Develop and deliver advocacy messages
  • Build coalitions
  • Make persuasive presentations
  • Evaluate your efforts

Take action

We actively encourage the community to take advocacy action through simple steps linked to current campaigns. Find out how we're currently asking people to take action.

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All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

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