Being your own advocate, or self-advocacy, means speaking up for your rights and needs and the things that are important to you.

Everyone should expect access to good quality services that we need in everyday life, such as disability support, phone, banking, housing, aged care and other services in your community.

What does this look like?

• you are able to get the services you are entitled to
• you have clear information about the service that you understand
• you are able to make choices, including choosing a different service provider
• your needs and concerns are heard and responded to
• staff are respectful and know how to do their job
• you feel comfortable and safe.

But sometimes there are problems. Being confident to speak for yourself or knowing where to start can be difficult for some people with disability who can face additional barriers when trying to resolve everyday issues.

When this happens, it is important to speak up about how you feel and ask for what you need. From finding the right person to speak to, accessible communication options for getting in contact, how to start the conversation, to knowing if there’s a process to make a complaint or who else can help are all part of the challenges people with disability can face.

Being your own advocate, for any aspect of your life where you feel your voice needs to be heard or where you find yourself in situations that are unfair, is an important skill to have and will lead to better outcomes for you.

There are some practical steps for people with disability to get started with speaking up and solving problems.

Step 1: What is the problem?

Sometimes there are many parts to the problem. Being clear in your mind about the

issues will help get results. Make a list of your issues before you make a phone call or go to a meeting.

Tips:

• A problem shared is a problem halved. Talking it through with a friend, family member or someone you trust can help you be clear about your issues.
• Do you have a decision-maker? A decision-maker is someone who helps you A decision-maker is someone who helps you make decisions and choices in your life. It’s their role to help you solve everyday issues. Ask them for help.
• If there are many parts to the problem, work on just one thing at a time. Think about which is most important to you and what you could do as a first step.

Step 2: What would you like to happen?

After making a list of issues, think about what you would like to happen for each one, and work out what is most important to you. It will help you focus and know what you can let go.

There might be a quick fix for some issues where others will take longer to solve.

Step 3: Know your rights and what is expected of you.

Find out what you are entitled to and what you can expect. For example, who is eligible for the service? What information do you have to provide? Is there information about how to make a complaint?

Step 4: Make a phone call

Talk to someone who can make changes and work with you towards fixing the problem. You should ask for the Manager or someone who handles complaints

Keep trying. Be patient but be persistent. If someone doesn’t get back to you to discuss your issue within a few days, call again.

Keep calm and be polite. Most people want to help when you are respectful and patient.

Have someone with you when you make the call – a friend or family member can help you take notes or explain the situation.

If you are not making any progress by phone, ask for a meeting.

Step 5: Hold a meeting.

Sometimes you need to meet face to face. It might not be a problem that can be fixed over the phone, or more time is needed to understand the problem.

A friend, family member or trusted person can help with the discussion or talk about it with you after the meeting. Take notes. You may need to use this information later if you or your advocate has to take the problem further.

Step 6: Keep check.

If the changes or actions you have agreed to have not been done you will need to follow up. Call again, and explain that you are not happy with progress. Ask for an update or if you can speak with someone else about the issue.

Being confident to speak up for yourself can take time. It takes planning, patience and sometimes persistence.

An Easy English version of this information is available here.