Involvement of People Living with Disabilities in Area Advisory Groups in Tasmania
As part of the Disability Services reform process, ATI and Speak Out have each been funded for one advocate’s position to assist people with disabilities through the reform process.
One function is to assist people with disabilities to participate in the Area Advisory Groups (AAGs).
Specifically, the function of the advocate in this process is described as:
Representation on the Area Advisory Groups on a state-wide and area level.
Representation on these groups will ensure that people with disabilities have a voice, and that their needs, wishes and concerns around the reform process are considered. The role of the advocates in this process would be to coordinate the process for including people with disabilities in these forums.
It is important to emphasise that the role of advocacy is to facilitate and coordinate a process by which people with disabilities participate in the AAGs and not that advocacy is there to speak for people.