Our Disability Advocacy program provides free and confidential advocacy for people with disabilities and mental health conditions, as well as their family members and carers.

We also have a range of information sheets and resources on a number of relevant issues.

Disability Advocacy services are limited due to high demand and funding constraints. While westrive to provide support, our capacity may be limited by various factors such as complexity, conflict of interest, eligibility, and merit. Please note that ongoing support is not guaranteed.
 

GSCLS has delivered individual disability advocacy across the Great Southern since 2003. Our advocacy is grounded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In practice, that means our advocates work to advance:

• Equal recognition before the law — supporting people to make their own decisions, with support where they choose it, rather than having decisions made for them
• Access to justice — as a community legal centre delivering advocacy, we can address the legal problems that are often tangled up with advocacy matters, like tenancy, guardianship, fines and discrimination
• Independent living and inclusion — advocacy that helps people access the services, supports and housing they need to live where and how they choose
• Accessible information — plain English and Easy Read resources, interpreters where needed, and support to understand your options and next steps

Our advocacy is person-led. Advocates act on your instructions, at your pace — our role is to strengthen your voice, not replace it. We give priority to people at greatest risk of harm or exclusion.

Disability advocates are able to assist in a range of ways, including -

• Information on your rights, your options and on available services and resources
• Referral to an agency or service in your area
• One-to-one Support to work with you to deal with problems
• Education on how to deal with issues for yourself