Where can I find support with legal matters?
I need advocacy
Advocates speak on behalf of or represent someone who is unable to do so themselves. An advocate might be able to help by acting for you or your child in a dispute.
There are groups and agencies provide advocacy services for individuals and groups with disability. If you need someone to advocate on your behalf or provide legal advice, contact an agency to discuss the options available to you.
Office of the Public Advocate (OPA)
The OPA promotes and protects the rights of people with mental disability in South Australia. Find information about guardianship and consent, including lodging appeals against specific guardianship and treatment decisions. You can also download guardianship manuals and application forms.
Association for Children with a Disability
Advice for parents on how to be an advocate for your child. Find tips that will help you negotiate and organise the services your child needs.
Family Advocacy
A family advocate can help people with disability and their carers to access services and lobby for improved or new services. An advocate can also provide information and training programs for parents and carers, and promote community involvement.
Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS)
YDAS can provide advocacy services or advocacy training to help Victorian children become better self-advocates. Advocacy involves speaking on behalf of another person and representing their interests in resolving a problem or supporting a cause. You can find links to useful resources and information about events and conferences for young people aged 12 to 25.
Novita Childrens Services
The Inclusion Support Program helps eligible South Australian child care services to build their capacity to provide a quality inclusive environment for all children including children with additional needs.
Rights, discrimination and the law
Find information about your rights and the legislation affecting people with disability. There are levels of service which all Australians can expect, and different state and federal laws govern these. The full text of these laws can be accessed free of charge online, and there are agencies which can provide legal information about your rights over the phone.
If you feel these standards have not been met, there may be legal avenues available to you. The Federal Human Rights Commission or your state’s Equal Opportunity Commission might be able to help you if you have been the victim of discrimination.
SA Government - Anti-discrimination laws and disability rights
Find links to South Australian legislation about disability, privacy and freedom of information, as well as a simple explanation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
Equal Opportunity Commission (SA)
Find a brief explanation of the Australian and South Australian anti-discrimination acts. The wider site includes forms and other information about making complaints to the EOC if you feel you or your child have been discriminated against. You can find useful information such as a guide to the Australian standards about accessible buildings and an explanation of the conciliation process used to resolve disputes.
Australian Human Rights Commission
The AHRC can provide information about laws and issues relating to the rights of people with disability. Find information about topics such as the right to access education, health services, and artistic and cultural events.
Australasian Legal Information Institute
Find the full text of the Australian Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992. The text is searchable, with helpful links to the definitions of the different terms used throughout the Act.
How do I make a complaint?
If you feel you or your child has been poorly treated or discriminated against as a result of a disability by a government agency or other organisation, there are services available to handle complaints.
Find out which office is best placed to help you in your area. This may be a state ombudsman, Federal Government department or the Equal Opportunity Commission in your state.
Australian Human Rights Commission
Find information on how to lodge a complaint about unfair treatment or harassment with the Australian Human Rights Commission. You can submit a complaint online, or by downloading forms and posting them to the Commission.
Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI)
You can offer feedback and suggestions, or lodge a complaint with the DCSI about South Australian state government agencies and services.
Equal Opportunity Commission (SA)
If you feel you have been treated unfairly under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA), you can make a complaint to the SA Government EOC. Find information about what happens after a complaint is lodged and how the EOC will assess your claim. You can fill in and submit a complaint form online.
South Australian Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner's (HCSCC)
You can make complaints to the HCSCC about a public, private or non-government health or community service or provider in South Australia. The HCSCC is an independent body and helps resolve complaints through conciliation processes.
South Australian Ombudsman
You can lodge complaints about state government agencies or local councils through the Ombudsman SA website. The Ombudsman can investigate government processes and make recommendations to correct issues.
Office of the Public Advocate (OPA)
The OPA promotes and protects the rights of people with mental disability in South Australia. Find information about guardianship and consent, including lodging appeals against specific guardianship and treatment decisions. You can also download guardianship manuals and application forms.
SA Government - Making complaints
You can use the forms to make a complaint about services or advice provided by Disability Services, or if you feel you have been unfairly treated by another government or private organisation. You can find details about applying for advocacy services or reporting the abuse or neglect of a person with disability.
National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline
If you believe a person with disability has been abused or neglected, call the disability hotline on 1800 880 052. This site defines the types of physical or emotional abuse or neglect which should be reported.
Glossary and Definitions
Raising Children Network - A to Z disability reference
This A-Z listing allows you to search for brief explanations of disability terms, as well as definitions of the disability professionals you may encounter.
Health Insite - A to Z heath topics
Access a wide range of up-to-date and reliable information on health and wellbeing, including arthritis, cancer, mental health, and young people and drugs.