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Advocacy

Discover how we resolutely fight for the rights of people with disability.
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A Leader in Disability Advocacy

Disability advocacy is not just something we champion. It is why we exist.

Endeavour Foundation was founded in 1951 by a small group of determined parents. 

At a time when there were few to no disability support services or opportunities, they refused to accept that their children with intellectual disability deserved anything less than a full and meaningful life. 

They had to fight for their children's right to an education, to be seen and to belong.

That legacy is our guiding light. The landscape has changed, but our commitment to disability advocacy across Australia remains the same: we determinedly fight to remove barriers so that possibilities can become reality.

We carry this legacy forward by:

  • Challenging discrimination and promoting inclusion and accessibility
  • Informing decision-makers by working directly alongside people with disability and their families
  • Providing NDIS advocacy to help people navigate the scheme and get the support they are entitled to
  • Ensuring our work is led by lived experience through vital groups like our Client Advisory Group

Learn more about our advocacy efforts, including our most recent submissions and policy position statements.

advocacy-leader-in-disability-advocacy-m

A Leader in Disability Advocacy

A Leader in Disability Advocacy

Disability advocacy is not just something we champion. It is why we exist.

Endeavour Foundation was founded in 1951 by a small group of determined parents. 

At a time when there were few to no disability support services or opportunities, they refused to accept that their children with intellectual disability deserved anything less than a full and meaningful life. 

They had to fight for their children's right to an education, to be seen and to belong.

That legacy is our guiding light. The landscape has changed, but our commitment to disability advocacy across Australia remains the same: we determinedly fight to remove barriers so that possibilities can become reality.

We carry this legacy forward by:

  • Challenging discrimination and promoting inclusion and accessibility
  • Informing decision-makers by working directly alongside people with disability and their families
  • Providing NDIS advocacy to help people navigate the scheme and get the support they are entitled to
  • Ensuring our work is led by lived experience through vital groups like our Client Advisory Group

Learn more about our advocacy efforts, including our most recent submissions and policy position statements.

Disability Advocacy in Action

We actively engage in policy reform and system-level change. Here are some of our latest submissions and statements:

Self-Advocacy Network

We believe the most powerful voice in a person's life is their own. That is why we are building a network of self-advocates so that the voices of people with intellectual disability can be heard loudly and clearly.

Through this network, we are empowering people with disability to speak up for themselves, make informed choices and have choice and control in their own lives. This powerful initiative is building the self-advocates’ capacity to:

  • Advocate for their rights and needs
  • Influence the decisions that impact their lives
  • Build confidence and skills to inspire change in their communities

Our Commitment to Gender Equality

Discover what we have done and are continuing to do to address gender pay gaps in our workforce.
Learn More

“I want people to know that we are here, and we want to be heard. We do not want to be in the background and for other people to speak for us.”

– Chloe, Endeavour Foundation employee, Mackay, Queensland.
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Join Our Movement for Change

Advocacy is a collective effort. Whether you are a person with disability, a family member or a passionate ally, your voice can make our call for inclusion stronger. To find out more about our disability advocacy initiatives or to get involved, reach out to us.

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FAQs

Advocacy is about supporting people to have their say and be heard.

It helps make sure people are treated fairly, included in their communities and able to access the same opportunities as anyone else. Advocacy can focus on an individual or work towards broader change across systems and services.

At Endeavour Foundation, advocacy is part of our long-held commitment to helping people with intellectual disability live, learn, work and flourish.

An advocate works alongside you to support your voice and your choices. They can:

  • Listen to what is important to you
  • Help you understand your rights and options
  • Support you to speak up
  • Speak on your behalf if needed

Advocates focus on what matters to you and help make sure your voice is at the centre of every decision.

Being an advocate means standing up for rights, inclusion and respect.

It is about supporting people to be heard and helping create positive change – whether that is for one person or across the wider community.

Advocacy is something everyone can be part of.

Advocacy helps to ensure people with disability are heard, respected and included in all areas of life. It supports:

  • Equal access to opportunities
  • Fair treatment
  • Greater choice and control

Advocacy also plays an important role in improving systems and removing barriers for the future.

Self-advocacy is about speaking up for yourself – your needs, choices and goals. It means having the confidence and support to:

  • Make decisions about your life
  • Share your views
  • Be involved in the things that matter to you

We support people to build the skills and confidence to be strong self-advocates in their everyday lives.

Becoming a self-advocate starts with understanding your rights and building your confidence. You can begin by:

  • Thinking about what is important to you
  • Practising how to share your views
  • Asking questions and seeking support
  • Getting involved in decisions about your life

At Endeavour Foundation, we can support you on this journey. Reach out to us.