1: Purpose, independence and focus of NDAP advocates versus other support roles Role Purpose Independence Focus/ scope NDAP Provide people with disability with Independent from service All people with disability seeking advocacy. Advocates access to effective advocacy that provision, sole interest is the No restrictions to issues that they can provide support promotes, protects and ensures their client’s needs. for apart from limits of advocate’s knowledge, which full and equal enjoyment of all can be supplemented through specialist assistance Some conflict of interest may human rights enabling community and referrals. arise where an advocacy participation. Presence in capital and regional cities and in remote provider is also delivering areas. NDIS services. If demand on an agency is high, priority is to those who are most vulnerable in accordance with the organisation’s service access policy. NDIS Local To assist people with disability, their Employed by the NDIA Restricted to providing assistance to NDIS Area families and carers to build and (directly or indirectly) and participants, or people with disability who approach Coordinators pursue their goals for a good life, considered to be an extension the NDIA. (LACs) exercise choice and control and of the NDIA therefore cannot Unable to advocate for a person with disability – engage with the Scheme; and be solely on the side of the beyond basic information, education and referral. ensure that people with disability can person with disability. Unable to assist people with disability with complaints be supported outside the Scheme, beyond information and referral. by working with communities and The NDIS website includes the following: is “It mainstream services to build important to remember Local Area Coordinators do awareness, and to become more not provide case management, act as an advocate inclusive of the range of needs and for the person with disability, and they cannot aspirations of people with disability. approve an NDIS plan.”
1: Purpose, independence and focus of NDAP advocates versus other support roles Role Purpose Independence Focus/ scope NDAP Advocates Provide people with disability with access to effective advocacy that promotes, protects and ensures their full and equal enjoyment of all human rights enabling community participation. Independent from service provision, sole interest is the client’s needs. Some conflict of interest may arise where an advocacy provider is also delivering NDIS services. All people with disability seeking advocacy. No restrictions to issues that they can provide support for apart from limits of advocate’s knowledge, which can be supplemented through specialist assistance and referrals. Presence in capital and regional cities and in remote areas. If demand on an agency is high, priority is to those who are most vulnerable in accordance with the organisation’s service access policy. NDIS Local Area Coordinators (LACs) To assist people with disability, their families and carers to build and pursue their goals for a good life, exercise choice and control and engage with the Scheme; and ensure that people with disability can be supported outside the Scheme, by working with communities and mainstream services to build awareness, and to become more inclusive of the range of needs and aspirations of people with disability. Employed by the NDIA (directly or indirectly) and considered to be an extension of the NDIA – therefore cannot be solely on the side of the person with disability. Restricted to providing assistance to NDIS participants, or people with disability who approach the NDIA. Unable to advocate for a person with disability beyond basic information, education and referral. Unable to assist people with disability with complaints beyond information and referral. The NDIS website includes the following: “It is important to remember Local Area Coordinators do not provide case management, act as an advocate for the person with disability, and they cannot approve an NDIS plan.”