Our Work
The priority of Citizen Advocacy South Australia is the promotion, protection and defence of the personal well-being and interests of people with intellectual disability.
Other benefits of this work can include:
- Building better communities (more inclusive, diverse, stronger)
- A broader understanding of Social Justice
- A more compassionate and caring society
The ongoing core activities of program staff include:
- Identifying and Recruiting vulnerable people with intellectual disability who would benefit from having a Citizen Advocate in their lives
- Recruiting suitable community members to become Citizen Advocates
- Conducting Orientation to prepare community members for their roles as Citizen Advocates
- Matching people with disability and suitable community members in freely given, one to one, long term relationships.
- Keeping in touch with the people involved in each Citizen Advocacy relationship through regular communication and gatherings.
- Providing ongoing support to Citizen Advocates by offering training opportunities, the chance to discuss ideas and personal assistance through the many and varied experiences that their roles may bring.
- Recruitment of “Advocate Associates” from a wide range of relevant professions (e.g. legal, medical, education) to provide expert information and support to Citizen Advocates (as required).
- Recruitment of community members with suitable skills and experience to act as “Crisis Advocates” in situations requiring specific and urgent action.