Disability advocacy

Advocacy is the process of supporting a person to understand, exercise and defend their human rights. 
An ADA Australia advocate works alongside you to ensure your voice, views and preferences are heard, particularly where decisions are being made about your care, supports, living arrangements or finances.
Advocacy may include providing information, helping you prepare for meetings, communicating (with your consent) on your behalf, or supporting you to raise complaints or challenge decisions.

• You are a person living with disability, or
• You are the carer or representative of the
person above, and
• You live in one of the following areas:

• • Gold Coast

• • Beenleigh

• • Logan

• • Redlands

• Central Queensland.

• ADA Australia is able to provide advocacy
support to people with disability who are under
the age of 18 in some locations and will provide
information and referrrals to other services
where we are unable to assist.

No, our services are free.

We can provide you with free and independent
information and support with the following:
• NDIS applications, planning and Plan review
• Accessing other disability support services
• Working through issues with your service
providers
• Disability Pension applications
• General information and referrals to relevant
services
• Unfair treatment and disability discrimination.
Please note we cannot recommend which services
or providers you should choose or provide
financial or legal advice. ADA Australia is not
funded to provide support for NDIS Appeals at the
Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

When you are assigned a disability advocate, they will discuss your concerns with you to gain a full understanding of the issue.

They may ask questions and request relevant paperwork to support your issue.
Your advocate will guide you through the process of resolving your concerns, offering support in various ways, such as:

• Providing information and options
• Helping you express your views and wishes
• Assisting with application paperwork
• Supporting you in meetings and phone calls
• Building your confidence to speak up for your rights and needs

Our advocates work for you—nothing is discussed or acted upon without your permission and we won’t talk to anyone or take any action unless you ask us to.While we cannot guarantee the outcome, we will support you to make applications or raise your concerns and work with you to try and address the issue. If your issue is not resolved to your satisfaction, we can also refer you to the relevant complaint bodies.

Yes, our services are confidential. Our advocates
will always seek your permission before discussing
your situation or concerns with anyone else.

ADA Australia does not assess a person’s capacity. But we recognise that all people have the right to make decisions about their own lives, with appropriate support where needed. We ensure this right is upheld.

Consistent with Article 12 of the CRPD, we prioritise supported decision making, which ensures that your will and preference are central to any decisions, ensuring support is provided that is relevant to your needs, and that substitute decision making is not the default to be relied upon. 

Our Community Legal Service, ADA Law, offers specialised advocacy, legal advice, and representation for adults whose decision-making capacity is impaired or in question—particularly in guardianship and administration matters.

For assistance, contact ADA Law at FREECALL 1800 232 529.

With your permission, family members, carers and friends can contact us on your behalf to raise and address concerns. However, we will also speak with you directly to ensure your wishes and directions guide our work.

Your support network—whether family, carers, or friends—can be included in discussions and the process to assist you. We can also collaborate with formal decision-makers, such as your Enduring Power of Attorney, but your views and wishes will always remain our priority and direct anything we do.

ADA Australia is committed to diversity and inclusivity, ensuring disability advocacy services are accessible to people from all backgrounds, including:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
Rural and remote communities
People experiencing financial or social disadvantage
Individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
LGBTQI+ communities

To keep our services accessible and responsive, we offer free interpreting services and employ advocates from diverse backgrounds.

Yarn2Action First Peoples Advocacy

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability, along with their supporters, can access Yarn2Action, staffed entirely by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advocates.
This service provides individual disability advocacy support to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people with disability residing in Queensland.

Contact Yarn2Action:
📞 FREECALL 1800 718 969 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
📧 Email: Yarn2Action@adaaustralia.com.au