Advocacy for Inclusion invites our members and friends to join us for a member forum and briefing on two important Federal consultations that will shape disability rights and advocacy services for years to come.

These are:

- the design of a new Commonwealth individual disability advocacy program, which is being developed with the Disability Advocacy Network of Australia; and

- a review of the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA).

Both consultations stem from recommendations of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability and the Federal Government’s commitment to review and modernise the DDA.

We want to hear from you:

- What do you want from disability advocacy in the ACT? What’s working? What’s missing?

- What should advocacy look like and how should it be organised? What should we tell the Federal Government to ensure advocacy is strong, consumer‑controlled and works for you?

- What issues in the ACT need our time and attention – the NDIS, transport, housing, education, health access, planning and infrastructure, employment, income support or even climate change and digital transformations?

- What types of discrimination do you experience every day? How can we improve discrimination protections?

- Is the DDA usable and effective? What might make it better?

Your feedback will help us shape a Statement of Consumer Expectations for the future of advocacy in the ACT and set our advocacy priorities. It will also inform our submission to the Federal Disability Discrimination Act consultation, which closes on 24 October. You’ll also hear about Advocacy for Inclusion’s current advocacy priorities and projects. Guest presenters and further details will be announced closer to the event.

For more information and to make your own submission, visit:

• DDA Review: https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/human-rights-and-anti-discrimination/australias-anti-discrimination-law/review-disability-discrimination-act

• Future of Advocacy project: https://dana.org.au/projects/future-of-advocacy/