ACD Tas has been funded by the Tasmanian Government since 2000 to provide advocacy state-wide.
We specialise in working with parents, carers or guardians of children with disability, and young people with disability (to age 18) to address participation barriers and uphold rights in any setting and situation.
The ACD Tas team work with a family-centred empowerment approach as detailed in our Family Support Practice policy.
Individual & Family Advocacy
Individual Advocacy is for families and their children aged up to eighteen years of age with disability.
ACD Tas works alongside parents and carers or legal guardians with children (0-18 years) with disability or disabling conditions in our professional advocacy provision across Tasmania.
In line with our Family Support Practice, we work within the fundamental principle that the rights and interests of the child or young person with disability are upheld at all times.
Families often experience issues affecting their child/ren with disability or disabling conditions.
Our Advocates provide professional advocacy to support and act on your behalf to resolve issues as quickly as possible.
ACD Tas advocates also provide professional advocacy to assist parents and carers in developing skills and knowledge so they can make informed decisions; exercise their rights and advocate successfully for their children with disability.
Systemic Advocacy
Proactively, ACD Tas staff represent the best interests of families by spending time evolving innovative ideas and participating in and/or undertaking community development projects.
ACD Tas keeps up to date with current issues impacting children with disability and their families by collecting relevant data from each contact.
ACD Tas is involved in many strategic alliances, working groups, reference groups and committees, and writes submissions to the Government to influence and suggest ideas for addressing key issues affecting families and their children and/or young people with disability across Tasmania.
Many areas require priority and focus for community development work and systemic advocacy in line with addressing, progressing and resolving presenting issues for families and their children with disability across the community.
Recent submissions ACD Tas has provided to the Government on impacting children with disability and their families can be read below:
In July 2024, the Tasmanian Government announced an inquiry into the availability and efficiency of the assessment and treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and support services for adults and children with ADHD in Tasmania.
ACD Tas was among sixty individuals and organisations to respond in writing or at a hearing.
All information about this inquiry including the Terms of reference can be viewed here.
In October 2022, the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme announced the NDIS Review, to look at the design, operations and sustainability of the NDIS. It would also examine ways to build a more responsive, supportive and sustainable market and workforce.
Terms of reference can be viewed here.
A Final Report was published which included 26 recommendations with 139 actions. A shorter guide was also created.
The Tasmanian Government asked for input on the Disability Inclusion & Safeguarding Bill 2023, it was identified that an entirely new Disability Inclusion Act was required to advance the human rights of Tasmanians with disability.
ACD Tas provided a written submission that focused on the Tasmanian service system landscape and ACD Tas’s unique role within it alongside the parents and carers with a focus on improving service systems that are inclusive and incorporate the disability needs of children and their families.
At the end of the consultation, the draft Disability Inclusion Act (Bill) was written. The purpose of the Act will be to improve the human rights of people with disability and make Tasmania a safer and more inclusive place for people with disability.
In providing an opportunity to share and provide parent’s own experiences, we can assist in advocating for parents in their specific experiences in their role in caring for children and young people with disability.
Selina Spowart, is an ACD Tas parent leader, multi-published author, communications consultant, and mother to three adult sons.
In her article “A Life Not So Ordinary,” she discusses facing domestic violence as a parent of a child with complex disability.
This article was featured in a special edition of our own PEPTalk Magazine in May 2017.
ACD Tas Advocacy Family Support Practice
When you receive advocacy services you can expect the following professional practice and approach from our employees.
How we practice
ACD Tas Advocates are not “neutral umpires” or mediators. We believe in the fundamental principle that the rights and interests of the child or young person with disability are upheld at all times.
We exist to assist families and their children.
Family and Person Focused
ACD Tas Advocates can take referrals from external sources and will only activate a referral when they have spoken with and gained consent from the family member, carer, or legal guardian or independent adult with disability who is requiring assistance.
We work at the direction and leadership of the involved parent/carer/legal guardian or young adult with disability toward achieving agreed outcomes.
Focused on the Best Interests of the Child
ACD Tas staff utilise Conventions, State and Australian Government Acts, and policies and standards of best practice to guide decisions based on the best interests of the child.
ACD Tas staff maintain a good understanding of disability, children, and family rights.
ACD Tas is culturally sensitive and respects diversity.
Information in support of Disability and Children’s rights can be found on the Finding Your Way website.
Confidential
We respect that families and people with disability share their stories and confide in ACD Tas employees. Our staff at all times treat information received with sensitivity, professionalism and confidentiality.
Empowerment based
ACD Tas Advocates work to increase the power, choice and control that families with children/young people with disability have over their own lives.
ACD Tas Advocates strive in their work practice for families and their members to have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate, reach their full potential and lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Duty of care
ACD Tas Advocates have a responsibility to not advocate or work in ways that are illegal or that will significantly harm or disadvantage the family or their child/ren.
Conflict Managed
ACD Tas Advocates s are at times involved in situations where conflict, even hostility, is evident from a previous disagreement. Experience has shown that the process of respectful voicing of differences can be very useful and important for resolving issues, even where this is challenging. Where issues are present and professional advocacy is required we recommend ACD Tas involvement at the earliest possible point. Early involvement can often lead to further prevention and fast resolution of issues.
ACD Tas’s Independence
ACD Tas supports are independent; without conflicts of interest. ACD Tas does not provide “Direct Carer” services to children with disability.
ACD Tas Advocates focus on the rights and best interests of the person with disability and their family at all times while working to achieve agreed outcomes.