The NSW Ageing and Disability Commission (ADC) conducted a Review to better understand the purpose, functions and future funding needs of disability advocacy across NSW. This was a key provision in the Ageing and Disability Commissioner Act 2019 and was to be completed by 31^st December 2019.

Executive summary

By 2030, it is expected that 1.8 million people in NSW will have a disability. Of this, there will be approximately 590,000 people residing and seeking services within the State who have a profound or severe limitation affecting their day to day activities.

The disability landscape and role of advocacy will also evolve over this time, especially with the continued rollout and increasing maturity of the NDIS. The need for advocacy will continue to be an important part of the lives of people with disability to ensure the continued promotion, protection and security of their rights, and enable their genuine participation in the community. We note that the NSW Government is committed to an inclusive community for all people with disability.

NSW has a long and strong history of community based disability advocacy and the NSW Government has been an important funder of advocacy, information and referral services. Many deliver great results for their clients. However the disability service environment, including the provision of advocacy services, has radically changed especially with the development of the NDIS. Additionally, the responsibility for and the level of funding of advocacy and related services has been uncertain.

This Review into disability advocacy funding arrangements in NSW has explored the purpose, functions and funding arrangements for independent specialist advocacy, including information and representative organisations for people with disability across NSW. The Review has also looked at how advocacy funding and services should be delivered in the future.

Key challenges identified in relation to disability advocacy in NSW include:

• a significant impact of no long-term, sustainable funding on the capacity of advocacy services, and ability for organisations to retain or upskill staff, evaluate programs and develop long-term working relationships. 
• no consistent means to measure performance. 
• a shift in work for advocates assisting people with disability to access the NDIS.
• the increasing demand from government departments seeking the views and opinions of advocacy organisations in relation to various consultations, which albeit valuable, impacts on time.
• a general low awareness of what disability advocacy is, and the role it plays for people with disability. 
• a lack of sector support and capacity-building that could grow the advocacy workforce and entice new talent.

Yet, these challenges can be met. There are many aspects of the disability advocacy sector that create considerable optimism. 

• Many advocacy organisations not only represent people with disability, but have engaged them in their governance arrangements. 
• Organisations have developed very committed, loyal membership and supporters over time.
• Organisations have highly knowledgeable and committed staff and volunteers who understand the needs and preferences of their clients and can access local solutions. 
• Many organisations have navigated the changed funding environment by accessing different sources of funding, and optimised themselves by developing creative integrated service offerings. 
• Many are well respected by government agencies for their insights, experiences and knowledge, as well as their capacity to inform consultation through the bringing together of those most affected.