Citizen advocacy seeks to assist people with disability, who are isolated or have little family or community support, by matching them with people in the community who freely give of their time and skills.
These matches can develop into long-term friendships that last a lifetime and make a big difference in the life of the person with disability.
What is Citizen Advocacy?
Citizen Advocacy is a community based program which aims to recognise, promote and defend the rights and interests of people with an intellectual disability.
It does this by finding and supporting caring, responsible everyday citizens who are prepared to act voluntarily to make a positive difference in the life of a person with an intellectual disability (protégé), who may be lonely, face difficult challenges, or be in a risky situation
The Citizen Advocacy office carefully matches protégés and citizen advocates ensuring that there is a good match between the needs and interests of the protégé and the abilities, resources and commitment of the citizen advocate.
Citizen Advocacy has no sectarian or political affiliations and is motivated only by the desire to make a positive difference in the lives of some of our community’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable citizens.
Expressive Advocacy
Everyone needs to feel warmth and understanding that comes from friendship.
Instrumental Advocacy
Everyone needs assistance at different times just to learn how to get along in everyday life.
Spokesmanship
In some situations people with intellectual disabilities are not treated with respect
This Selection of Interviews Explores Citizen Advocacy
Extended interviews from the documentary “Valuing Lives: Wolf Wolfensberger and the Principle of Normalization.”
This selection of interviews explores Citizen Advocacy.
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