Description
A NSW association concerned with the rights and interests of people who have a developmental disability Family Advocacy formally known as ‘The Institute for Family Advocacy and Leadership Development’ is an independent, impartial advocacy organisation that supports families across New South Wales to promote and defend the rights and interests of people with developmental disability*. The organisation is managed and staffed by parents and allies of people with disability, who recognise the issues that people with disability and families face and who can assist in strengthening the advocacy and capacity of families.
We were founded by families of people with disability, and differ from carer organisations in that our family members are advocating for people with disability to have a good, ordinary life. We do not advocate for parents or siblings themselves, and believe first and foremost in improving the lives of our family members with disability through natural, community supports rather than government funding or services.
We are currently the only advocacy organisation of this kind in Australia. We receive funding for our work from the Federal government’s National Disability Advocacy Program. Family Advocacy undertakes a range of work with families:
building their capacity to advocate for their family member with disability and be leaders on rights and inclusion for people with disability in their communities;
making representations to governments regarding inclusive legislation, policy, funding, monitoring and practice;
and providing advocacy and capacity building information, support and advice.
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facebook.comEvents: Wed 8 Feb 2017 - All Students Learning Together - Cr... » Family Advocacy
Join Family Advocacy for our first event of the year, “All Students Learning Together – Creating Positive Social Climates for Inclusion”, presented by Mara Sapon-Shevin, Professor of Inclusive Education at Syracuse University and co-author of Family Advocacy’s booklet,"All Students Learning Together – Taking Action on Education”. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Mara as she discusses the social aspects of inclusion in the regular class for children with disability, such as facilitating friendships, dealing with bullying and exclusion and teaching about differences. http://www.family-advocacy.com/events/all-students-learning-together-creating-positive-social-climates-for-inclusion/
You are more than what you think you are and your community is more than what you think it is
You are more than what you think you are and your community is more than what you think it is! Is community inclusion real? In this video, Ric Thompson will convince you that your community is ready for engagement and will arm you with some tools to get you started.
Timeline Photos
Family Advocacy would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family all the best this holiday season. Our office will be closed from 2:00pm today and will reopen on Tuesday 3 January 2017.
Living the Dream
Living the Dream In this conference presentation Nathan Basha talks straight about defeating low expectations for people with disability so that he and others can live life without limitations imposed by society. Nathan has a passion to make a difference, as he challenges people to think again.
Resources: Valued Roles for All - The Keys to the Good Life ... » Family Advocacy
Most people gather many roles randomly over the course of their life without the need for much consideration or effort. This might include work roles such as a teacher or farmer, relationship roles such as a mother or brother, civic roles such as a tax payer or voter or leisure roles such as football supporter or dancer. Many of the roles people have are valued because they are associated with attributes such as wealth, competence and independence but people with disability typically have fewer roles, or fewer roles that have positive value. Instead people with disability might have the roles of patient, pension recipient or client - roles that are typically not valued by society. People without valued roles will find it harder to access the ‘good things in life’, things like a home, meaningful work, opportunities to meet people and form relationships, to have a positive reputation, to name but a few. Valued roles open the door to new possibilities and opportunities. This resource explains what is meant by valued roles, why they are important and how supporting valued social roles is something we can all do.
Resources » Family Advocacy
Do you know about Family Advocacy's online library? There are plenty of books, articles, online videos and selected writings by both families and professionals available to download or be sent to you by post. The online library is fully searchable by key topics such as education, moving out of home, relationships, advocacy, future planning, early intervention and much more - enough to keep you going over the Christmas break!
Events - Resourcing Families
How can families and services work together to create partnerships that are in the best interest of the person with disability, respect his or her self-determination and have clear and reasonable expectations of who does what? Join Margaret and Jeremy Ward as they share their life experience as parents, advocates and creators of community organisations that sought solutions for such important challenges. After many years of walking this road and supporting other families in the process they are able to voice the tough questions and find a way forward that will enable you to be more effective in building successful working relationships. Coming in early 2017, don’t miss out on an event full of practical strategies from two people with a wealth of experience. Register today for the Albury, Deniliquin and Griffith workshops.
The Power of Peers Can a truly inclusive education work for all children, including those with significant disabilities? Yes, and kids can be the experts! Find out from Gina how the whole class can teach us a thing or two.
Family Advocacy Email List
Are you on the Family Advocacy mailing list? Join our mailing list to receive information about the issues that affect people with disability, developments in Family Advocacy’s systemic advocacy efforts, new resources and updates about events and workshops across NSW. It is our intention to keep you informed - Information is Power!
www.family-advocacy.com
Supported living is an approach to housing and support for people with disability based on the fundamental belief that every person has a right to lead their own life, to determine where, how, with whom they live and who provides them with support. In this article, Scott Shepard and Cheryl Mayfield share the myths and the facts around supported living. You can also find out more information relating to supported living by visiting the Family Advocacy website: http://www.family-advocacy.com/ordinary-lives/creating-a-home/
Getting a life, not just support
Getting a life not just support Jacob is in the NDIS but his journey into a typical life in the community began well before the scheme roll out. Jacob and Linda are clear that the NDIS does not provide the good life, as no support can. Find out, however, how they tailored support with a strong vision for genuine inclusion.
Develop advocacy and leadership skills of families » Family Advocacy
A vital focus of Family Advocacy is supporting families to develop their advocacy and leadership skills and to increase their understanding of how to bring about positive change in the life of their family member with disability. Family members and others make contact with us to strategise and receive information around matters relating to the interests of the person with disability on a confidential basis. For more information around the work of Family Advocacy visit our website or contact us on (02) 9869 0866 or 1800 620 588 (toll free for non metro callers).
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