Disability advocacy
Advocacy services provide information and support to people with disability, their families and carers.
A disability advocate can help you:
- understand your rights
- assert your rights
- access services and support
- act on your own behalf to solve issues.
Disability advocacy service providers
In the Territory, you can get advocacy and support from the following organisations.
Integrated disAbility Action Inc (IdA)
IdA advocates for people with disabilities in the Northern Territory (NT), providing systemic advocacy locally and nationally.
They offer individual disability advocacy in the Darwin region and assist with information and referrals for self-advocacy across the NT.
For more information, go to the IdA website.
Darwin Community Legal Service (DCLS)
Provides a disability advocacy and rights service in the Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield areas. They help people with disability and their representatives understand and use their rights.
For more information, go to the DCLS website.
Disability Advocacy Service Inc (DAS)
Offers individual advocacy services in Central Australia. DAS supports people with disability and their families to exercise their rights.
For more information, go to the DAS website.
Carers NT
Carers NT supports unpaid carers in the NT, offering advocacy, information, support, counselling and education.
For more information, go to the Carers NT website.
Specialised services and information
Access specialised services in the NT through the following organisations.
Autism NT
Supports autistic people, their families, and the community in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
For more information, go to the Autism NT website.
Inclusion NT
Supports and advocates for people with intellectual disability and their families. They offer workshops and inclusion services, like easy-read translations.
For more information, go to the Inclusion NT website.
NPY Women’s Council (Central Australia)
Advocates for clients and carers by helping address their concerns and working with government and service providers as needed.
For more information, go to the NPY Women's Council website.
Other support resources
Many organisations provide support for people with disabilities through workshops, events and other initiatives.
Hidden Disabilities
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard is a green lanyard with yellow sunflowers, it allows people to indicate they may need extra help, understanding or time.
For more information, go to the Hidden Disabilities website.
Multicultural Council of the NT - Speak My Language Podcast
The podcast offers guidance through storytelling translated into a number of commonly spoken languages across the Territory including Hindi, Indonesian, Mandarin and Vietnamese.
For more information, go to the Multicultural Council of the NT website.
Patterson Street Hub (Tennant Creek)
A safe and inclusive space that encourages connection and creativity through events, courses, discussions and workshops.
For more information, go to the Patterson Street Hub website.
National Disability Advocacy
Learn about the Australian Government's National Disability Advocacy framework and program.
The Framework
The National Disability Advocacy Framework 2023-2025 outlines how governments will work together to make advocacy services more consistent and accessible for people with disabilities across Australia.
To read the framework, go to the Australian Government, Department of Social Services website.
The Program
The National Disability Advocacy Program provides funding to organisations that support people with disabilities who face complex challenges. This program also helps with issues like accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
To read the program, go to the Australian Government, Department of Social Services website.