The Indigenous Disability Advocacy Service (IDAS) in Parramatta can assist Indigenous people with most types of disabilities, their families and carers.

The Indigenous Disability Advocacy Service (IDAS) in Parramatta can assist Indigenous people with most types of disabilities, their families and carers when the person they are looking after needs help, especially if they have been unfairly treated or are confused about a big decision.

The service is available to Indigenous persons with a disability in western Sydney and regional centres in areas of high need in NSW.

Here are some handy questions and answers provided by the service.

Q: What does Advocacy mean?

A: Advocacy means standing by someone or speaking out for someone’s rights, or going into bat for another person and being on their side when they are having problems.

Q: How much does the service cost?

A: Nothing it s free.

Q: What do I have to do to get service?

A: You have to make contact by telephone, personal visit or another agency can contact us [refer you] on your behalf. You must complete a consent form before any advocacy can take place. In special circumstances the IDAS can commence advocacy before forms are signed.

Q: Why do I have to sign a consent form?

A: The IDAS is not permitted to advocate on a person s behalf unless they sign.

Q: What part can I play when I use the service?

A: The first two things that an IDAS worker will ask you are ‘What result do you want?’ and ‘What do you want to see changed?’ It is very important that you tell us what you want to happen, as we are guided by your wishes.

Q: What happens if the service is busy and it can’t help everyone who comes in? Who gets priority?

A: Hopefully this will not happen too often, but if it does we will try to help the people who need help the most first on the basis of actual need and available resources.

The following factors will be taken into account when priority for assistance is assessed:

1. The seriousness of the problem the person or group is facing.

2. The lack of alternative assistance to resolve the problem.

3. The seriousness of the person’s disability in terms of the way it affects his or her ability to deal with the problem they are facing.

Q: What if IDAS can’t help?

A: We will tell you why and we will assist you to try other services if this is possible.

You can find out more about the Indigenous Disability Advocacy Service at http://www.idas.org.au/ Or contact them via email at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone on

02 9687 7688.