Created in 2012, the National Disability Advocacy Framework helps to ensure that people with disability, their families and carers have easier access to advocacy services – the services that protect the rights of people with disability and help break down the barriers to inclusion and participation.

But now we have the NDIS rolling out over the next few years, the Government wants to have a look at the Framework and consider how advocacy will be managed into the future.

They have a Review of the National Disability Advocacy Framework (don’t worry its only five pages) which says that all the various state and territory governments agreed earlier this year that the NDIS would fund some advocacy, like decision and safeguard supports, but that system advocacy and legal review would be funded outside the NDIS.

They are asking for feedback to these questions as part of the review:

1. Do you believe the current Framework encompasses your vision of advocacy in the NDIS environment? If not, what changes are required?
2. Are the principles of the Framework appropriate for guiding the delivery of advocacy for people with disability in a changing disability environment, including in the context of the NDIS? If not, what changes are required?
3. Are the outcomes of the Framework still relevant or should different ones be included? If so, what should be included?
4. Are the outputs of the Framework still relevant or should different outputs be included? 5. Does the Framework identify what is needed in the current and future disability environment? If not, what changes are required?
5. Do you have any other comments, thoughts or ideas about the Framework?

You can answer these questions and make a submission at engage.dss.gov.au  until 5pm, 24 July.

Also check out: Why disability advocacy matters under the NDIS, a recent article for Every Australian Counts by NCOSS’s Ya’el Frisch where she makes the argument that advocacy will be more important than ever under the NDIS.