Family Advocacy

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.

Family Advocacy was 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.

All of the advocacy work we undertake, including our events, workshops and resources are underpinned by a theory that provides a comprehensive framework for how to help people with disability achieve a good life. The theory is called Social Role Valorisation (SRV) and can be powerful for families to use to improve the life of their family member with disability.

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. For more information on the model of advocacy undertaken by Family Advocacy please view this film developed by Department of Social Services, 6 models of advocacy. 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