Advocacy Service
Supporting people with disabilities to achieve their human rights
People with disabilities encounter a range of physical, cultural, social and attitudinal barriers, which prevent them from accessing the same rights as non-disabled people. This includes making decisions about their lives, living independently, getting an education and employment, obtaining an adequate standard of living and healthcare, getting around and being included in society.
When faced with these barriers, it is important that you understand your rights; know the options available to enable you to overcome these barriers; and feel empowered to take action and speak up for your rights. This is how an advocate from Disability Action’s Centre on Human Rights may help you.
Disability Action’s Centre on Human Rights provides an advocacy service to support people with disabilities to take action to secure their human rights. The advocacy service is:
-confidential;
-provided free of charge; and
-independent, which means the advocate can work in partnership with you, with no conflict of interest.
Our advocates promote the human rights of people with disabilities and the four principles of human rights –fairness, respect, equality and dignity. In line with Disability Action’s pan-disability focus, the advocacy service is provided to people with all types of disabilities and our advocates have excellent experience in working with people with multiple disabilities.
Expertise
Our advocates have extensive experience working in a wide range of situations, with people with disabilities who have been denied their human rights. The advocacy service is also supported by the expertise of other units within Disability Action, including Access, Employment and Training, Information and Housing.
Professional
Our advocates are trained and have completed the NVQ Diploma in Advocacy. They work to the core principles of advocacy as set out in the Action for Advocacy Charter and also work within Disability Action’s policies on confidentiality, vulnerable adults and child protection.
>>Read leaflet on the advocacy service (PDF)
>>Read leaflet on the advoacy service (Word)
>>Read easy read leaflet on the advocacy service (PDF)
Contact an advocate
Disability Action’s Centre on Human Rights
Disability Action
Portside Business Park
189 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
Telephone: 028 9029 7880
Textphone: 028 9029 7882
