Overview
The National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) provides people with disability access to effective disability advocacy that promotes, protects and ensures their full and equal enjoyment of all human rights enabling community participation.
The policy and implementation of the NDAP will be guided by the principles and objectives of key legislation, conventions, agreements and frameworks, including but not limited to: the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the National Disability Strategy; the National Disability Agreement, the National Disability Advocacy Framework; and the Disability Services Act 1986 (DSA).
NDAP disability advocacy agencies receive funding under the DSA. The DSA and its associated Principles and Objectives have a focus on outcomes for people with disability. The Disability Services Standards (Eligible Service Standards) (FaHCSIA) Determination 2010 define the elements of quality disability support for people with disability. All disability advocacy agencies funded under the NDAP must comply with the DSA and the applicable Disability Services Standards.
NDAP Program Guidelines
Program Guidelines Documentation
The following is an outline of the components of the Program Guidelines and the purpose of each.
- Part A:
PDF [135Kb] | 
RTF [827kB] Services for People with Disability Program Guidelines provides an overview of the Services for People with Disability Program, of which the NDAP is an Activity.
- Part B: PDF [89Kb] | RTF [814kB] Information for Applicants provides details on the standard conditions and procedures involved in selection processes conducted by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Part B is a standardised FaHCSIA document.
Please note: There is currently no selection process for the NDAP.
Aims and objectives
The objective of the NDAP is that:
- People with disability have access to effective disability advocacy that promotes, protects and ensures their full and equal enjoyment of all human rights enabling community participation.
Target Group
The target group for advocacy support provided by NDAP agencies, as required under section 8 of the DSA, consists of people with disability that:
- ‘is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of such impairments;
- is permanent or likely to be permanent; and
- results in:
- a substantially reduced capacity of the person for communication, learning or mobility; and
- the need for ongoing support services.
Definition and Models of Disability Advocacy
In broad terms, advocacy for people with disability can be defined as speaking, acting or writing with minimal conflict of interest on behalf of the interests of a disadvantaged person or group, in order to promote, protect and defend the welfare of and justice for either the person or group by:
- Acting in a partisan manner (i.e. being on their side and no one else's);
- Being primarily concerned with their fundamental needs;
- Remaining loyal and accountable to them in a way which is empathic and vigorous(whilst respecting the rights of others); and
- Enduring duty of care at all times.
Approaches to disability advocacy can be categorised into six broad models being:
Specialisation
NDAP agencies may be categorised into generalist or specialist agencies.
- Generalist agencies provide advocacy support to people with any type of disability or cultural background.
- Specialist agencies may provide advocacy support to people with disability:
- with a specific type of disability
- from Diverse Cultural and Linguistic backgrounds (DCALB)
- from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) backgrounds.
Service Area
Agencies are funded to provide disability advocacy support in specific geographic areas. There are two types of geographic coverage:
- Statewide
- Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Contact list for NDAP agencies funded by the Commonwealth
National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) Quality Improvement Strategy
A new Quality Improvement Strategy is currently being developed for funded disability advocacy agencies in consultation with the disability advocacy sector. This strategy aims to provide people with disability, the disability sector and Government with assurances about the quality of disability advocacy support being delivered.
During 2007 and 2008, NDAP funded agencies were consulted about the proposed arrangements. The National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) Quality Assurance Consultations Report summarises the outcomes of those consultations and provides a draft set of revised Disability Advocacy Standards, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Evidence Guidelines.
These 11 draft Disability Advocacy Standards and 24 KPI's are a key feature of the new Quality Assurance (QA) system, along with certification of compliance against these Standards by independent, accredited certification bodies. The other key feature of the system is certification of compliance against these Standards by independent certification bodies which are accredited by the Joint Accreditation system of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ website). People with disability have a role at all stages in this system, including as members of all certification body audit teams.
A trial of the new QA system commenced in November 2009 and was largely completed in July 2010. Following expressions of interest submitted by advocacy agencies, FaHCSIA initially selected 12 agencies to participate in the trial which are representative of the sector. An additional 13th agency was included towards the end of the trial to test that the system can work effectively for all advocacy models. Other trial participants have included certification bodies, JAS-ANZ personnel and an independent trial evaluator.
The Final Report of the Evaluation of the Trial of the National Disability Advocacy Program Quality Assurance System recommended implementation of the new QA system and a final set of 10 Disability Advocacy Standards and 24 KPIs. The Department is working closely with the NDAP sector to develop a range of practical supports to assist agencies achieve certification.
The amendments to the Disability Services Act (DSA) 1986 necessary to introduce a new NDAP QA system were introduced as part of the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (SSOLA Bill) on 6 July 2011. The amendments provide mechanisms independent from government, to assess the compliance of disability advocacy services against the Disability Advocacy Standards. The SSOLA Bill went before the House of Representatives on 17 August 2011 and was read for the third time in the Senate on 21 November 2011, before receiving Royal Assent on 29 November 2011.
Disability advocacy agencies are being supported by the Department to develop strategies to work towards achieving certification under the new system. This includes undertaking a Self-Assessment against the draft Disability Advocacy Standards. NDAP agencies are required to continue to comply with the current Quality Assurance requirements and will be given 18 months to obtain a certificate of compliance under the new system after it has been formally implemented in July 2012.
Disability Services Standards Self-Assessment Guide
A Self-Assessment Guide has been developed for disability advocacy agencies receiving funding under the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP). As part of the funding agreement requirements, NDAP funded agencies must conduct an annual self-assessment against the applicable Disability Services Standards. Input from key stakeholders, including people with disability, is an integral component of the self-assessment. Attached is the Disability Services Standards Self-Assessment Guide and Worksheet: Disability Services Standards Self-Assessment Guide.
The self-assessment worksheet is to be completed and returned to your local FaHCSIA State or Territory office.
Disability Advocacy and Access Section
The Department's Disability and Carers Programs Branch includes a 'Disability Advocacy and Access' Section that oversees the changes to the NDAP and works with the Department's state and territory offices in the ongoing management of this program.
The Disability Advocacy and Access Section Manager can be contacted via:
- Post:
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs,
Disability and Carers Programs Branch,
Tuggeranong Office Park, Box 7576
Canberra Mail Centre ACT 2610
- Email: Disability Advocacy - FaHCSIA (disabilityadvocacy@fahcsia.gov.au).
Further information about who in FaHCSIA is working in the advocacy area can be found at the Who's Who of FaHCSIA webpage.