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

  • Disability royal commission: People living with disability paint a bleak picture of education exclusion and neglect

    At Public Hearing 7, focused on “barriers to accessing a safe, quality and inclusive school education and life course impacts”, the commission received submissions and heard raw and compelling oral testimony from young people and their families who described experiences of exclusion, violence and neglect.  Collectively, their testimony painted a sobering picture of how the education system continues to fail many people with disability.

  • Victorian tutor recruitment program needs strong autism focus says peak body

    The Victorian Government’s pledge to recruit and deploy 4,100 tutors across the State’s schools in 2021 must be coupled with specialised supports to ensure the program is accessible to and inclusive of autistic students, says Victorian peak autism body Amaze.

  • ‘YPIRAC is a wicked problem that can only be solved by working across sectors’

    Young people often end up in aged care because they fall through the gap between hospitals and the disability service system. The two systems operate on completely different time frames. For example, if a young person has a very severe brain injury, as soon as they are medically stable there is pressure to move them out of a hospital bed. But disability services take weeks or months to determine if a suitable housing and support option is available.

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