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:

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

  • We could be closer to getting a Disney princess with a disability

    A young Aussie who has tirelessly campaigned to see a princess with a disability introduced to the wonderful world of Disney could be a step closer to achieving that dream.

  • Greens senator unleashes on Government over NDIS move

    Mr Steele-John is the only federal politician who uses a wheelchair, yet his bid to become the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was voted down by the major parties during the fist sitting week of parliament.

  • Delivering a functional NDIS eMarket

    The NDIS eMarket did not proceed. This is an appalling situation. Instead, what the Australian community has been left with is a cadaverous, inert and incomprehensible spreadsheet which is the NDIS services and price catalogue, that has defined more than A$100 billion in supports over this period. You see, it’s not the participants ripping off the NDIS. It’s the market preying on this lack of transparency created by the NDIA’s analogue and antiquated conceptualisation of the pricing catalogue. That it has no feedback function is inherently defective. That it is inaccessible is a breach of human rights.

Latest tweets

  • Find out how national data sets can be utilised to inform effective disability policy. Experts from the Centre of R… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

  • Advocating for your child at school can be challenging. You play an important role and children do best when school… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

  • Budding women and gender diverse filmmakers who are disabled are invited to submit a short film or web series (fict… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

  • These resources provide a simple, accessible way for consumers, carers and their families, as well as lived experie… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

  • Participants, nominees and people who have previously applied to the NDIS are invited to provide feedback about exp… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…