INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY

VALID provides individual advocacy support to adults with an intellectual disability and their families. Individual advocacy supports people to exercise their rights and to be included within their local communities.  VALID's individual advocacy support is targeted mainly to adults with an intellectual disability who are considered eligible to receive disability support services.

We focus mainly on those with more serious issues, and those who don't have other advocacy support networks available. We generally assist people to address specific issues and challenges they might be facing with either specialist or community-based services. Our individual advocacy support is usually on a short term basis.

Forms of Support

DIRECT

Standing Behind
VALID provides advice and guidance to support people with intellectual disability to assert their rights and achieve their goals.

Standing Beside
VALID works alongside people with intellectual disability to assist them in raising and addressing their issues effectively.

Standing Before
VALID provides representation to defend and promote the rights and interests of people with intellectual disability.


INDIRECT

Family Advocacy
VALID provides advice and assistance to support the natural role played by families advocating for a family member with a disability. However, we do not advocate for the needs of the family itself, and our advocacy is always directed towards the VALID Mission, and guided by the principles of the Disability Act 2006.

Advocacy Support
VALID provides advice, where sought, to assist advocates who are representing or supporting people with intellectual disability. Where an advocate is actively engaged with a person with intellectual disability, our advice is provided to the advocate rather than to the person, to avoid potential confusion or conflict.

Training
VALID offers training in advocacy and empowerment skills to people who have a role in supporting, assisting or representing people with intellectual disability. For information on the To Stand Beside: Advocacy for Inclusion Training Program, contact the VALID office.

Referral
Where VALID is unable to provide advocacy support we will refer people to other avenues of advocacy support. Wherever necessary, we will refer people to other more appropriate advocacy support agencies. E.g. Children and young people with a disability and their families are generally referred to the Association for Children with a Disability and Youth Disability Advocacy Service.