What is advocacy and what is an advocate?
Advocacy is promoting and defending a person’s rights, needs, choices and interests.
An advocate is someone who speaks up for others. An advocate might find information, go to meetings as a support person, or write letters for another person.
Many people can speak up for their own rights, needs and interests, but some people don’t have the ability to do it or find it difficult. This might include children and teenagers with disability or ADHD, autistic children and teenagers, and children and teenagers with other additional needs. These children might need support from an advocate.
Why you might need to advocate for your child with disability, autism or ADHD
If your child is at risk of harm, isn’t having their needs met, or is being denied their rights, you can consider advocating for them if they’re not able to advocate for themselves.
You know and understand your child better than anyone else. If people are making decisions for or about your child, you can make sure these decisions are in your child’s best interests.
How to be an advocate for your child
Step 1: understand the issue
If you think there’s an issue affecting your child’s wellbeing, needs or rights, make sure you clearly understand what’s going on. For example, your child isn’t being included in all class activities, and the school says it’s because it doesn’t have the funding to support this.
Step 2: understand your child’s entitlements, needs, preferences and goals
If you understand what your child needs and wants, as well as what they’re entitled to in the situation, this will help you work out what you’re advocating for. For example, your child wants to be included in all class activities, and they’re entitled to the same educational opportunities and choices as all other students.
Step 3: explore options
The solution to the issue might include options that you haven’t thought of, so try to get plenty of information and ideas. You could get ideas from other people, like the health or disability professionals who work with your child. It’s also important to think about the pros and cons of all options.
This way you can be sure that all options are in your child’s best interests and make an informed decision about what to do.
For example, you might think that your child could take part in all class activities if the teacher adjusted the activities to better suit your child’s level of understanding. But you might also consider whether your child needs some periods of the day in a quieter area with fewer children around. You could ask your child’s occupational therapist or psychologist what they think.
Step 4: present a solution
Presenting a solution is more effective than complaining. For example, you might say, ‘I understand this is a challenging situation. I want to work closely with you to make sure my child’s learning needs are met using the resources you have’.
Asking questions can also help. For example, you might say, ‘Can you let me know what adjustments you’re making so that my child is included in activities?’
You could also think about your priorities. For example, do things need to change right now, or is it better to wait?
Inclusion in early childhood education, school, community groups, family activities, friendships, playgroups and so on is essential to development, learning and wellbeing for all children. Full and meaningful inclusion in society is also one of the rights of all people with disability.
Tips to help you be an effective advocate
Stay calm
If you stay calm and polite, people will be more open to your point of view. Try to focus on solutions, stick to facts, ask questions and make suggestions rather than demanding things.
For example, ‘Kaela has cerebral palsy, so she plays soccer differently from other children. Could we look at a medical dispensation to ensure that she’s not penalised for breaking the rules? It would be great for her and great for the club’s reputation for being inclusive’.
It’s normal to feel intense emotions when you’re advocating for your child. It can help to have strategies for staying calm and focused during meetings. For example, take slow, deep breaths, or take a break to get a drink of water. If these strategies don’t work and it’s hard to stay calm, you could ask for a longer break or stop the meeting and arrange another time.
Get organised
Prepare for meetings and take a list of points and questions with you. Keep written records of meetings, emails and phone calls. Include the date and time, who you spoke with or met, what you discussed, and any action points and review dates. You can also keep relevant information and reports that support your case.
You could keep all these documents on your computer, in a folder or both.
Get support
Speaking to other parents who’ve had similar experiences or joining a support group can help you find useful information and emotional support. You can also get support from a volunteer or paid advocate, who can explain the law and your child’s rights. This person can go to meetings with you too.
Your child might be able to learn to advocate for themselves. Along with your advocacy, this can give your child more input to decisions that affect them. You can help your child develop the skills they need for self-advocacy.
Advocacy services and support for your child and family
An advocacy service can help you advocate for your child. Advocacy services have experienced and professional advocates. You can find services in your area by contacting your local community centre, local council, library, neighbourhood house or disability service.
You could also contact the following advocacy services directly.
Australia wide
- Ask Izzy – Disability Advocacy Finder
- Australian Government Department of Social Services – National Disability Advocacy Program
- Carers Australia
- Community Legal Centres Australia
- People with Disability Australia (PWDA)
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
- Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service of SA (DACSSA)
- Disability Rights Advocacy Service Inc. (DRAS)
Tasmania
Victoria
- Association for Children with Disability (Victoria)
- STAR Victoria
- Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALID)