What Is Advocacy?

Provides independent advocacy for people with disabilities to uphold their human rights and to address instances of discrimination, abuse, neglect and exploitation

• Advocates are completely on the side of the person with a disability
• Strongly supports cases where an individual has been taken advantage of or their rights have been infringed upon because of their disability
• Supports individuals who may be subject to disadvantage over and above their disability because of race and/or the isolation they often experience within society generally.

Definition of Advocacy

Advocacy strives to be emphatic and vigorous, functioning (speaking, acting, writing) with minimum conflict of interest, on behalf of the sincerely perceived interests of a person or group, in order to promote, protect and defend the welfare of, and justice for, either individuals or groups.

Advocacy may include issues related to:

• employment
• housing
• medical
• education and training
• freedom of information
• handling complaints
• access and transport
• discrimination