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
The Aged Care Royal Commission wants younger people out of aged care but what are their accommodation options?
Currently there are more than 4,300 younger Australians living in an aged care facility; most of them are with disability. But the Aged Care Royal Commission says by 2025, no one under the age of 65 should be in these facilities. But to reach this target, there are calls for more accommodation options to be made available.
Support workers say information vacuum surrounds vaccinations
Many of the workers who're caring for people with disability have been waiting for news about when they might be able to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Some say they're worried they're going to miss out because of what they describe as an "information vacuum". It's particularly a problem for the carers who are independent contractors ... getting their work through Uber-style apps.. with limited contact with disability service providers.
Disability Club social media site to boost social connections, online accessibility for people with a disability
When 26-year-old Nathan Johnston tried to connect with people during the peak of last year's COVID-19 lockdown, he realised how challenging it could be for people living with a disability to use social media networks like Twitter and Facebook.
Latest tweets
The Australian Disability and Indigenous Peoples’ Education Fund is open for applications! The fund is about helpin… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Wed 10th March at 10am OPA are holding a zoom session on rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine throughout nursing homes a… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Join Teresa Micallef from Belonging Matters at 1pm tomorrow! Teresa shares her experience of the Circles of Support… 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…
Join Julie Phillips from the Disability Discrimination Legal Service tomorrow 1pm at our ASC forum! Julie will talk… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…