Disability advocacy services are divided into generalist and specialist services. The generalist services are usually tied to a local area and do not cover the whole of Victoria. Specialist services may be statewide or local. Usually specialist services either work on specific issues or are connected to a particular type of disability. For example, Disability Justice Advocacy works with people who have high support needs. The Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council works with people who have a mental illness. The Association of Children with a Disability advocates on issues affecting children.

To find the most appropriate disability advocacy service for your needs, call the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU) for a referral (see: Chapter 16*1 Disability Overview, for contact details).

Advocacy services established a network called the Victorian Disability Advocacy Network Inc. (VDAN). You can contact advocacy services and VDAN through the DARU (see: "Types of advocacy services", above, and Chapter 16*1 Disability Overview, for contact details).

The role of self-advocacy organisations is to assist people with a disability to advocate for themselves in all aspects of everyday life.

For more information, contact the Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU) or the Victorial Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability Inc. (VALID) (see: Chapter 16*1 Disability Overview, for contact details).

Citizen advocacy programs link people with disabilities to community volunteers. Volunteers advocate on behalf of people with disabilities and assist them in accessing community services and gaining their rights. Citizen advocacy organisations are based regionally. Contact the DARU to find your local organisation (see: Chapter 16*1 Disability Overview, for contact details).

These projects are funded by the Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide disability access workers to local councils. These workers plan and develop strategies across the full range of community infrastructure including education and training, transport, health, accommodation and housing, physical access planning, sport, recreation and the arts. If you need help in relation to local services contact the disability access worker at your local council.