Family Advocacy
Family Advocacy formally known as ‘The Institute for Family Advocacy and Leadership Development’ is an independent, impartial advocacy organisation that supports families across New South Wales to promote and defend the rights and interests of people with developmental disability*. The organisation is managed and staffed by parents and allies of people with disability, who recognise the issues that people with disability and families face and who can assist in strengthening the advocacy and capacity of families.
All of the advocacy work we undertake, including our events, workshops and resources are underpinned by a theory that provides a comprehensive framework for how to help people with disability achieve a good life. The theory is called Social Role Valorisation (SRV) and can be powerful for families to use to improve the life of their family member with disability.
We were founded by families of people with disability, and differ from carer organisations in that our family members are advocating for people with disability to have a good, ordinary life, through natural community based supports and socially valued community roles. We do not advocate for parents or siblings themselves, and believe first and foremost in the importance of authentic inclusion for all people with disability.
We are currently the only advocacy organisation of this kind in Australia. We receive funding for our work from the Federal government’s National Disability Advocacy Program. For more information on the model of advocacy undertaken by Family Advocacy please view this film developed by Department of Social Services, 6 models of advocacy. Family Advocacy undertakes a range of work with families:
- building their capacity to advocate for their family member with disability and be leaders on rights and inclusion for people with disability in their communities;
- making representations to governments regarding inclusive legislation, policy, funding, monitoring and practice;
- and providing advocacy and capacity building information, support and advice
Our Vision
Our Vision is of families being agents of positive social change so the inherent value of people with developmental disability is recognised within a just and inclusive society.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to attain positive social roles for people with developmental disability. This is accomplished through the development and support of advocacy by families and by strengthening the knowledge, role and influence of families. Our focus is to encourage and support families to speak up and seek opportunities with and and at times on behalf of their family members so as to enjoy the same environments, lifestyles and living conditions afforded to most Australians.
Our Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan 2023 - 2025 Word Accessible Doc
Strategic Plan 2023 - 2025 Accessible PDF
Strategic Plan 2023 - 2025 visual booklet
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Strategic Plan 2020-2022
Our Model of Advocacy
Our model of Advocacy works on supporting families to undertake advocacy with, or at times on behalf of, their family members with developmental disability. We recognise that families striving for an inclusive life for their family member enables a richer society. This potent approach builds self-efficacy with and around the person with disability as families continue to be a strong conduit to the protection and progression of their loved one’s rights and interests.
The Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) at UNSW, Sydney undertook an independent research to explore the impact of the Family Advocacy model at the person, family and community/systems levels, and to identify mechanisms of social change within the model. The research report can be downloaded here.
Annual Reports
Read our 2023|2024 Annual Report to find out more about the work we undertake (PDF). An accessible version in Word format can be downloaded here.
Past Annual Reports:
Governance
Family Advocacy is governed by families who are genuinely invested in the rights of people with disabilities living fully inclusive lives. We currently have seven Management Committee members overseeing the work of the organisation who meet six times a year with the organisation's Executive Officer. For more information on each Committee member please visit Family Advocacy Committee page.
Family Advocacy supports the philosophy and practice of meaningful inclusion.
Membership
Family Advocacy supports and encourages families and allies of people with disability to become members of our organisation. Membership enables you to connect with like-minded people around NSW who aim to achieve positive change for people with disability. Members can also have pivotal roles in both our systemic advocacy work, workshop development and presentations.
If you think that you align with the organisations Vision and Purpose and would like to find out more about Family Advocacy’s membership please contact us.
Funding
Family advocacy receives annual grants from the Australian Department of Social Services and from the NSW Government.
* What is developmental disability? This is a disability that occurs in the developmental period of a person’s life (in the period from conception to adulthood) and includes intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism and any combination of physical, intellectual or sensory disability.
Donations
If you would like to contribute to Family Advocacy’s work you can make a donation either via our online Family Advocacy Donations payment page OR send a cheque/money order to:
Family Advocacy
Unit 704, 88-90 George St.
Hornsby NSW 2077
Australia
To make a donation via a bank transfer please call on 9869 0866 or 1800 620 588