About ADACAS
ADACAS provides free, independent, confidential advocacy support to people with disability, people experiencing mental ill-health, and older people and their carers across the ACT and parts of NSW.
The ADACAS team will work with you to ensure that your voice is heard and needs understood. We will listen to you and work alongside you to address your issue.
ADACAS takes a person centred and human rights approach. Our staff live in the local area so we can connect with you in a way that best supports you.
Our staff are highly skilled; trauma informed and provide a culturally safe environment for our clients. Our team reflect the community in which we serve.
We are proud to work alongside people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. We are committed to have staff who represent the community we serve. We value the richness that diversity brings and are committed to providing respectful, inclusive support to everyone we work with.
What is advocacy?
Advocacy means getting support from another person to help express your views and help you to stand up for your rights if you have a problem. As advocates we are on your side, we will listen to your concerns and work with you to identify the key issue you would like assistance with. An advocate will help make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision that works best for you. An advocate will help you to express your views and preferences with others. An advocate will help you to be independent and will work alongside you, support you from behind, or if you wish, we will use your words and speak for you.
ADACAS can help you:
Navigate through complicated processes and systems of care.
Translate information so you can understand your options and rights, to then make an informed decision.
Self-advocate on a matter important to you, and have an advocate work with you to find solutions. Together we can aim to make changes in your situation, share your story, and see your rights are upheld.
Our vision, mission and guiding principles
Our vision is to live in a community in which everyone may exercise their rights and responsibilities, lead lives of value and dignity and pursue their dreams. Our mission is to assert, promote and protect the rights and responsibilities of people with disability, people who are older, people experiencing mental ill-health, and people who are informal carers.
We live by our guiding principles:
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Social Justice
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Integrity
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Pursue Excellence
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Reflective Practice
Where we work
ADACAS is able to provide advocacy to older people who live in the ACT and provide education and information sessions to organisations and aged care services operating in Canberra. We support older people who require assistance to access My Aged Care or require support with their current Aged Care Services in the ACT. The team are able to provide information and education sessions to the wider community and to residents and workers in Residential Aged Care Facilities on the rights of people accessing aged care services and also information sessions on the awareness of Elder Abuse.
ADACAS is funded to assist people with a disability and mental ill-health within the ACT region and parts of New South Wales. Our services extend across Canberra and into Queanbeyan and Goulburn; towards the coast in Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla, Batemans Bay, Broulee, Tomakin, Moruya, and Tuross Heads; and towards Wollongong, Young, West Wyalong, Hay, Deniliquin, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and surrounding areas. This includes supporting people living in the ACT or on the South Coast who wish to apply for the Redress Scheme.
To find out what’s available in your area, visit our Find a Service page.