Disability Services Minister Don Punch has today announced the successful proponents of a $3.44 million expression of interest process to deliver advocacy services that support people with disability in Western Australia.
Disability advocacy enables people with disability to participate and be involved in the decision-making processes that safeguard and advance their human rights, as defined in the National Disability Advocacy Framework.
Among the successful funding recipients are two Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations providing services to Aboriginal people with disability and a mobile outreach service assisting people on the streets to access disability supports.
In 2020-21, the State Government has allocated a total of $8 million for advocacy for people with disability, their families and carers. Existing advocacy providers received $4.56 million through direct allocation to continue delivering positive outcomes for people requiring individual and specialist advocacy services.
The eight recipients of the current funding round are:
- Midland Information Debt and Legal Advocacy Service;
- Centre for Accessibility Australia;
- Club Fed;
- Sussex Street Community Law Service;
- Wunan Foundation;
- People with Disabilities WA;
- Perth Health and Care Services; and
- Mawarnkarra Health Service.
This funding will support the delivery of community initiatives in Western Australia which will increase the capacity of people with disability, their families and carers, and local champions within the community to advocate for better outcomes for people with disability, including access to services.
As stated by Disability Services Minister Don Punch:
“Access to advocacy services is absolutely vital to ensure the rights and interests of people with disability, their families and carers are upheld.
“A properly funded advocacy sector is essential to ensuring the NDIS is held to account and that decisions made under the scheme are in the best interests of participants.
“The State Government is committed to promoting an inclusive society that supports people with disability in Western Australia, and their families and carers, to participate and contribute in the economy and their community.
“Funding a range of disability advocacy organisations is a key mechanism through which the four pillars of change underpinning the McGowan Government’s State Disability Strategy will be realised.”
