About DARU
DARU is unique in Australia as a dedicated resource unit funded to work with disability advocacy organisations to promote and protect the rights of people with disability. We develop and distribute resources and provide training opportunities to keep disability advocates informed and up-to-date about issues affecting people with disability in Victoria.
DARU proudly hosts the advocacy sector’s flagship event each yearn Melbourne in partnership with Disability Advocacy Victoria and Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS). Check out the conference website to catch up on past sessions:
Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference
Find an Advocate
Directory of organisations for agencies delivering disability advocacy as well as complaints bodies, campaigners, support groups and useful referral and information services.
Find an advocateOur Publications
A collection of information sheets and reports including ‘What is disability advocacy?’, ‘How to be disability inclusive’ and ‘How we talk about disability matters’.
Browse publicationsOnline Courses
Unaccredited online training that supports skill development for providing human rights based advocacy practice. The courses are self-paced and free of charge. Register and learnAdvocacy Sector Conversations Forum
This forum series provides in depth knowledge on topics that impact disability advocacy practice. Session resources include video, audio, transcript and useful links. Browse resourcesDisability Royal Commission
Commentary around the Commission’s proceedings with analysis and perspectives under investigation. Find out moreIn the news
'Sleepy' disability watchdog under fire amid accounts of abuse
A disability advocate has detailed harrowing stories of abuse against some of Australia's most vulnerable people – from physical assaults to being put in cages – by those paid by taxpayers to care for them.
Federal Budget leaves the nation’s vulnerable “high and dry”, say community peak bodies
Low income Australians, including those on the Disability Support Pension, are set to receive a $500 handout from December - a welcome but ‘band-aid' outcome of the 2020-21 Federal Budget according to peak body representatives.
Advocates say royal commission must #MakeItSafeToSpeak
Disability advocates fear the most severe cases of systemic abuse will not be exposed during the royal commission unless greater privacy protections are given to people making submissions.
Latest tweets
Really important piece from @more_than_ears - yes it's so important to have Auslan interpreters so visible now, but… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… Retweeted by DARU
CFA has launched a free online training module for community workers so they can help vulnerable people develop a f… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
@VEOHRC have a new course Human rights and equality laws for disability advocates, the course will build your skill… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Disability and Disaster Resilience Forum resources are up online. The forum explores issues in emergency management… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Women and girls with disabilities are twice as likely to experience violence as those without disabilities. This on… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…