What does Action for Community Living do?
We are a federally funded organisation under the Commonwealth Disability Services Act. We work to achieve empowerment, independence and quality life in the community for people with disabilities.
We also work at a systemic level to enable people with disabilities to fully participate in all areas of community life.
Who can use the services of Action for Community Living?
Action for Community Living offers free advocacy services to any person with a disability. We make a special effort to provide advocacy support for people with an acquired brain injury.
What happens after I contact Action for Community Living?
1. When you contact us, you will have a chance to discuss your needs with an intake worker.
2. As we sometimes have a waiting list for advocacy support, the intake worker will ask you whether you have any dates coming up where you will need an advocate. Some short-term assistance may be provided if the matter is urgent.
3. The intake worker will let you know how long it will take to get an advocate to support you.
4. If we are unable to provide advocacy support a full explanation will be given, and we will seek your permission to refer you to other appropriate agencies.
5. We are aware that people with a disability may experience additional disadvantage due to cultural differences, language, gender, financial circumstances and/or social and geographical isolation. We will, wherever possible, give priority to these individuals.
What is next when Action for Community Living decides it can help me?
1. We will develop an agreed outcome with you, using the Advocacy Service Plan.
2. The Advocacy Service Plan is a brief statement of the current issue, desired outcome, action to be taken and timelines.
3. You can request to change the outcome of your plan at any time.
4. We must make sure that you have a clear understanding of the steps and strategies developed in your plan, and what is the outcome.
5. We will stop providing support when the agreed outcomes are achieved, or when requested by you, or where there is nothing more we can do to help you and/ or we have referred you to another suitable service.
What happens when the work is finished?
1. We will write you a letter to inform you when the work is finished, and why it has finished.
2. You have an opportunity to tell us about what you like or disliked about our service, and how we can improve. The Individual Advocate will provide you with an exit survey form.
