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Independent Advocacy in the Tropics Inc

Systemic

IATI’s objectives define systems advocacy as to undertake social action that proactively and assertively seeks to influence positive change.

Systems that impact:
  • Law/legislation/political policy
  • Government departments – policy/procedures/structure/funding
  • Service organisations – practice
  • Community – opinions and attitudes
One person can make a difference!
  • Commence working groups – link to key people working together
  • Lobby political representatives
  • Maintaining a presence
  • Instrument of change
  • Awareness and safeguarding 
Tools:
  • Education and Information Provision is essential, bring issues into awareness
  • Submissions to legislative reviews provisions in the new/amended act
  • Participation in consultation processes
  • Influence policy/procedures/structure/funding and key people within stakeholder agencies

Throughout the year, IATI make submissions and reports in relation to Studies, White Papers, Joint Standing Committees, the Productivity Commission and government Ministers.  Some of these submissions are filed jointly with other Disability Advocacy organizations both in Queensland or interstate.  We also sit on a number of community and local ministerial working groups to identify and report on issues at a community level.

IATI Reports\Papers

Submission:  Review of the NDIS Act and the new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee - October 2019:  PDF  |  WORD

Submission: Royal Commission Into Aged Care - September 2018:  PDF  |  WORD

Veterans' Advocacy and Support Services Scoping Study - July 2018

  • Submission by Advocacy Law Alliance Inc, in consultation with IANQ and DANA:  PDF

Participation in Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS-Market Readiness - Townsville March 2018: Hansard Transcript:  PDF

Submission: National Disability Adocacy Program Discussion Paper - June 2016:  PDF  |  WORD

At Age 65 - Disability Support or Aged Care Report:  PDF

Mental Illness and Legal Support Accessibility in North Queensland:  PDF

Young People in Nursing Homes...Neville's Story:  PDF

 

SPECIAL SYSTEMIC PROJECTS

Project 1:  Disability Support Pension - Medical Appeals

During the process of individual advocacy for a person with a disability having their applications for the Disability Support Pension rejected, IATI identified a key factor common in all notices of rejection of the application was that of insufficient medical evidence being provided with the original application.

The 20 points requirement

Many claims are rejected because Centrelink award less than the required 20. If this happens, it is a good idea to look at the impairment tables and see whether or not you (and your doctor) agree this is the correct decision, or whether there are any other points, under a different or the same table, which ought properly to be allocated to your conditions.

Our position was that not enough information was made available to those applying for the Disability Pension and in particular the emphasis on the requirement of accurate and adequate medical evidence to support their application.

Our goal was to produce a fact sheet that would not only set out the importance of and what medical evidence that was required but also to provide information regarding the Appeals process that was available to the applicant.  The Disability Support Pension Appeal Fact Sheet is available to download in either PDF or Word version on our Resources page.

Project 2: Self-Advocacy Workshops

IATI developed a training package designed for people that addressed the key skills required to be adopted for effectively advocating for yourself. Not limited to only people with a disability but anyone who would like to learn how to better advocate for themselves or their loved ones.

Speaking up and advocating for yourself can help someone feel strong and take charge of their life. However, it is not always easy to have the confidence to go for it.   Making your own choices, big or small, can make a big difference in how you feel about yourself. Help you to find your voice and make informed choices—even when you may not be at your best.

The workshops were delivered through two hour workshops in six locations across our service area covering basic skills required to successfully advocate for yourself with a each participant receiving a 100 page Resource book.  We also undertook follow up check-ins and supervision for three months.