Individual Advocacy

Individual advocacy is when an advocate supports an individual person or family to stand up for their rights and needs.

DDWA have developed an Easy Read brochure that can help you explain what advocacy is to your family member with intellectual disability.

Easy Read booklet: Getting Help from an Advocate

Are you having trouble getting the supports and services you need?

  • Do you feel you need some support in having your voice heard?
  • We believe in your rights and the importance of having the opportunity to communicate your needs to others.

We want to make sure others really listen and respond to your concerns.

About DDWA Individual Advocacy

Whilst we work in many areas, DDWA have particular expertise in education, employment, recreation, guardianship, health, disability services (including NDIS) and communication disability (complex communication needs).

Who we support

Our specialist advocacy service supports people:

Do you need your voice heard at school, work, hospitals, court, State Administrative Tribunal (SAT)...?

Some elements of our advocacy service include (but are not limited to) assisting with:

  • parents negotiating the school journey for their child with disability
  • information and advice sessions about State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) in respect to guardianship matters and administration
  • navigating disability services

How we work

Our team bring skills and knowledge together to work on a problem that you and/or your family are trying to resolve.

We take time to fully understand the problem, so that we really know how you think and feel about what is happening.

We work with you and/or your family to take action for yourself.

You will have an active advocate listening to you from the first point of call - we are responsive and start working with you right away.

  • no intake system and no waitlist

You will find us accessible.

  • You can reach us by any means, including:
    • email: ddwa@ddwa.org.au or Leticia.Grant@ddwa.org.au
    • in-person visit: Come to see us at 2 Delhi Street, West Perth, WA (or, in some cases, we may be able to come to you)
    • phone: (08) 9420-7203
    • via our website: Contact Us
    • through a third-party: maybe you have a friend or supporter who would like to contact us on your behalf
    • sending us a DM on Facebook or Instagram

You will not need any formal referral.

  • see above - you can reach us by any means.

You will not be judged.

  • All calls and concerns are worthy of being heard

We'll back you up.

Cost

This is a free service.

Our Advocacy team

Maxine Drake - experienced health and education specialist advocate with a strong background in protecting peoples human rights.

Leticia Grant - disability advocate with extensive alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) partner experience.

Laura Jones - Communication Disability expert and educator - co-designer and lecturer for the Graduate Certificate in Complex Communication Needs and Positive Behaviour Support - new postgraduate course at Curtin University in 2024.

More information

Phone (08) 9420 7203
Email leticia.grant@ddwa.org.au

vector image of a microphone with purple, red and orange background - with text underneath reading 'check back soon for podcasts on our services and focus areas'