Disability advocacy providers to share $2.5 million of new funding

  • Thirteen organisations to share $2.5 million to provide disability advocacy services
  • Six providers new to the disability advocacy space 
  • Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson has today announced that 13 agencies across Western Australia will share in $2.5 million of funding to provide much-needed advocacy services for people with disability.

    The McGowan Government announced an Expression of Interest (EOI) process for the $2.5 million funding boost in November this year to broaden the reach of disability advocacy services in WA and attract new organisations into the traditional advocacy space.

    Among the successful funding recipients are six organisations new to the disability advocacy space, including Paupiyala Tjarutja Aboriginal Corporation, Regional Alliance WA and the Aboriginal Health Council of WA.

    The EOI was announced in response to feedback received earlier this year at an independently facilitated forum attended by 35 organisations, many of which have not previously engaged with the Department of Communities, Disability Services.

    Participants identified several priority areas for funding including targeted legal, justice and information services to assist people with disability to navigate systems and leverage off existing advocacy support.

    As stated by Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson:

    “It’s heartening to see so many new providers in the advocacy space, including four offering services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability and their carers and families.

    “Delivering advocacy services in Western Australia is highly challenging and the State Government is looking forward to working with all the successful proponents to achieve more together for people with disability.

    “This outcome will help us achieve greater equity of access for people from different cultural backgrounds and geographic locations during the transition to the Australia-wide NDIS.

    “A well-funded and resourced advocacy sector is critical to ensuring that the NDIS works for everyone, regardless of their cultural background or where they live in WA.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.