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:

flame icon colour  Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference

 

DARU Update

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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 advocate

Our 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’.

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Online 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 learn

Advocacy 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 resources

Disability Royal Commission

Commentary around the Commission’s proceedings with analysis and perspectives under investigation. Find out more

In the news

  • I'm blind, but I love going to the movies. Here's how it works

    As a person who is vision impaired, hearing is a substitute for eyesight in so many contexts. The assumption is that if you are without sight, your other senses must be sharpened. This is, of course, complete nonsense.

  • Specialist disability accommodation – Pipeline of supply

    People with high or complex disability support needs have traditionally had extremely limited options when it comes to finding somewhere to live. The growing specialist disability accommodation market is beginning to change that.

  • 3 things we can do now to help people with disability prepare for disaster

    Disaster planning for people with disability matters. We perpetuate inequality with every step we don’t take, and risk entrenching disadvantage. And if you make things inclusive for people with disability, you tend to make it inclusive for large swathes of groups also at risk in emergencies, including older people, socially disconnected people and others. Many birds, one stone.

Latest tweets

  • Please help us be a lot better at this: 📊 VCOSS is seeking a 'Data and Research Analyst' to find data, crunch it,… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… Retweeted by DARU

  • Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability (ASID) are looking for a Journalist/Communication Specialist - app… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

  • People with disability are disproportionately affected by disasters, but have fewer choices when emergencies unfold. ow.ly/H73P50D4MQw

  • We have 3 issues papers open for comment. One is about Promoting inclusion. The second looks at Violence and abuse… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… Retweeted by DARU

  • If you have some quieter times during January, check out the free courses on the @daruvic website:… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… Retweeted by DARU