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 year in 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
Uphill challenge as beach users with disabilities call on governments for equal access to Australia's coast
Sun, sand, the lure of water, and waves that carry you weightless to the shore. The beach is an idyllic escape for some, but Shane Hryhorec says it can make others feel “locked out of life”. “The beach can make someone with a disability feel very disabled,” he said. The former surf lifesaver said his … Continued
People with experience of mental health conditions should be paid to help others
For anyone diagnosed with physical illnesses, like cancer, it’s common for services and organisations to provide peer-support programs. Programs like these acknowledge the need for people to learn how to navigate all of the services and information from those who’ve already experienced the illness themselves. They can also provide important therapeutic connections.
NDIS is as popular as Medicare, study shows
Australians consider the National Disability Insurance Scheme to be a fundamental government service on par with Medicare and want fraud and waste to be fixed to ensure its sustainability, focus group research shows.