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
Coronavirus outbreaks grow in Victorian group homes for people living with disabilities
More than 70 cases of coronavirus have been recorded in disability care in Victoria, and advocates fear the sector could be headed for a similar crisis to aged care without greater support. Women with Disabilities Victoria chief executive Leah Van Poppel said the disability community was worried about the spread of the virus in group homes that support people with disabilities.
Do not make same mistake twice – protect disability workers
With multiple cases of COVID-19 emerging in the disability sector in Victoria, the Health Service Union (HSU National) and its Victorian disability branch the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) are urging the Federal and Victorian Governments to act quickly to prevent another aged care tragedy.
Raising bar on disability care
With good quality relationships, children and young adults with cognitive disability feel “valued, respected and cared about” in their daily lives and, in turn, give carers more job satisfaction and self-respect, international researchers say in a new paper published in the international Disability & Society journal.
Latest tweets
Registrations now open for DARU's Disability and Disaster Resilience Forum! We'll be exploring the issues in emerge… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Micaela from the Future Social Services Institute speaks with Arthur Rogers, Victorian Disability Services Commissi… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
We should all wear masks to stop the spread of COVID-19, but it can make it difficult for Deaf and hard of hearing… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Social Security Rights Victoria are running a short webinar session launching and introducing "DSP Help" and how it… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
DARU and queerspace have launched a new online course! "Advocacy at the Intersections: Working alongside LGBTIQA+ p… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…