What We Do
Multicultural Disability Advocacy Australia provides independent advocacy for people with disability, with particular expertise in advocacy with people from multicultural communities. We work alongside people to understand the issues that matter to them, support their rights, choices and voice, and take agreed advocacy action within the scope of our services.
Individual advocacy
Individual advocacy is one-to-one advocacy for a person with disability. The person's rights, will, preferences, goals and instructions guide the advocacy. We work with the person to identify the issue, the outcome they want and the advocacy actions MDAA will take.
Issues we may assist with
Depending on eligibility, service scope, priority and capacity, individual advocacy may involve disability services, housing, health, education, Centrelink, the NDIS, transport, discrimination, complaints, access, decision making and other disability-related issues.
What advocacy can involve
Advocacy may include helping a person understand their options, prepare and communicate their position, make enquiries, attend meetings, negotiate, raise concerns, make complaints or seek review of a decision.
Supporters and representatives
Family members, carers, supporters or representatives can be involved where the person wants them involved and appropriate authority is in place. Their involvement does not replace the person's own voice, will and preferences.
NDIS appeals
MDAA provides specialist advocacy for eligible people seeking external review of NDIS decisions in the Administrative Review Tribunal. The level and type of assistance depends on the person's circumstances, the issues in dispute, programme requirements and available service capacity.
How we may assist
Assistance may include explaining the external review process, identifying the issues in dispute, helping gather relevant information and evidence, communicating with the NDIA and Tribunal, preparing for case events and supporting negotiation and alternative dispute resolution.
Representation
Where MDAA is appointed as representative and ongoing assistance is provided, an authorised advocate may communicate with the Tribunal and NDIA, attend case events and represent the person through the external review process, including at hearing, within MDAA's non-legal advocacy role.
Legal advice
MDAA is an advocacy organisation and not a law practice. Where a matter requires legal advice or legal representation, we can provide information about appropriate legal services and make referrals where required.
Systemic advocacy
Systemic advocacy focuses on recurring barriers and broader issues affecting people with disability. It uses evidence from lived experience, advocacy practice, community engagement and recurring patterns to identify areas where laws, policies, services or systems may need to change.
What this can include
Systemic advocacy may include submissions, consultation, policy work, engagement with government and other organisations, raising recurring barriers and advocating for practical changes to services and systems.
Our multicultural focus
MDAA has a particular focus on the experiences of people with disability from multicultural communities and barriers connected with language, communication, culture, accessibility and interactions with services and government systems.
Guided by experience
Our systemic advocacy is informed by the experiences and concerns of people with disability, recurring issues identified through our work and evidence about barriers affecting access, rights and participation.
How we work
Our advocacy is independent, person-led, accessible, culturally safe and trauma-informed. We support people to participate in decisions and advocacy in the way that works for them.
Person-led advocacy
The person's rights, will, preferences, goals and instructions guide the advocacy. We explain options and relevant limitations so the person can make informed decisions about their advocacy.
Independent advocacy
Our advocacy decisions are independent from government, service providers, funders, families, carers and other parties whose interests may differ from the person receiving advocacy.
Culturally safe practice
We respect each person's culture, language, disability, identity, beliefs and community connections. We reflect on how our own assumptions and ways of working may affect the person and adjust our approach where needed. Cultural safety is shaped by the person's experience of the service.
Communication and access
We support people to communicate in the way that works for them. This may include interpreters, accessible information, communication aids, additional time or other reasonable adjustments needed for meaningful participation.
Supported decision making
We support people to understand information, consider options and communicate their own will and preferences. Disability, diagnosis, communication method or the need for substantial support does not by itself mean a person cannot make decisions.
Trauma-informed practice
We recognise that people may have experienced trauma, violence, abuse, discrimination or harmful interactions with services. We seek to support safety, choice, control and trust, and avoid asking people to repeatedly recount distressing experiences where this is not necessary for their advocacy.
Fair access to our services
Service decisions take account of programme eligibility, urgency, vulnerability, fundamental need, relevant deadlines, available alternatives and service capacity. People can ask us to review a material service decision or make a complaint.
Not sure where to start?
You do not need to work out which service applies before contacting us. Tell us what is happening and we can explain whether the issue is within our service scope and discuss available options. If we cannot assist, we will provide referral information where an appropriate option is known.
Contact us