Could You Be a Citizen Advocate?
- If you believe in the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect;
- Aren’t looking for material rewards for helping out someone in need;
- Are genuine about making a serious commitment to one person;
- Have a high expectations about what people with an intellectual disability can achieve with the right support; and
- can demonstrate to the community, through your actions and attitudes, that people with a disability have the same needs and interests as any other member of society.
Then you would make a wonderful
Citizen Advocate!
Why?
Because we all need justice, acceptance, love, security, and control over the course of our lives and from time to time we may even need practical support and representation.
Unfortunately, for many people with an intellectual disability these basic human needs are just not met. People with an intellectual disability are often rejected and isolated from society and have few opportunities to experience an everyday life like you do. They may receive unsuitable or poorer quality services or may be denied services entirely. Many people with intellectual disability are particularly vulnerable to unfair treatment and exploitation.
The disadvantage and vulnerability of people with intellectual disability creates a need to have:
- Someone who is prepared to make a personal commitment to stand beside the person;
- Someone who will ensure that the person’s interests are understood and effectively responded to;
- Someone who will look at issues and situations from that person’s view;
- Someone who is prepared to take action when action is needed;
- Someone who is prepared to take the person’s life seriously.
Who Are Citizen Advocates?
Citizen advocates come from all walks of life, are of all ages, and each brings with them a very individual range of life experiences and expertise.
Most citizen advocates have had no significant involvement with people with a disability before becoming an advocate and many have found that their long-term commitment to a person with a disability can be a powerful force in that person’s life.
Becoming a Citizen Advocate
What will I need to do?
The preferable initial step is to arrange a face to face meeting with the Sunbury Citizen Advocate coordinator. Through it the coordinator will brief you about the program and answer any of your questions such as:-
- The structure and aims of the organisation.
- The matching process between protégé and the advocates.
- What are the organisation expectations when you are matched to a protégé.
- What are the rewards, experiences and challenges of being an advocate.
- If you would like to be considered as an advocate, the coordinator will explain the process in detail and provide the associated paperwork for you to go through.
- The coordinator will consider all aspects of your application and decide accordingly.
- You can also leave a message below using the contact form.
What will it involve?
Based on your attributes such as skills, life experience and networks etc., the coordinator will endeavour to match you with a suitable protégé to achieve a good fit between the needs of the protégé and the skills and time available of the advocate. For example, this may include:-
- Companionship and friendship
- Dealing with organisations such as Centrelink, government departments
- Provide support in advising on such things as transport, decision making, shopping etc.
- Assist in the protégé being able to participate in opportunities such as training, work, education etc.
After being accepted as a suitable advocate candidate for a particular protégé, you will undergo advocate orientation to prepare you for your specific involvement with the person you will be introduced to.
What skills do I need?
In today’s society, it is commonly assumed that paid professionals are needed to address people’s needs. Citizen Advocacy, in contrast, asks ordinary citizens to become involved in the lives of people with intellectual disability.
Many people possess a variety of talents through their experience in family, work, church and community associations. This experience often makes a real difference in the life of a person with a disability.
Interested in Becoming a Citizen Advocate?
We’d love to hear from you!
You are able to make a wonderful and positive difference in the life of a person within your community,
and perhaps they’ll make a wonderful and positive difference in your life too.
