“DACSSA has been providing services to
the disability community since 1991”
Andrew Coidan
Senior Advocate
Introduction / History of DACSSA
• National Disability Advocacy Program, funded by
Australian Government (DSS)
• 1991- Disability Complaints Service
• 2002 - Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service of
South Australia Inc.
• August 2015 - DACSSA Connecting 2 Community
• Agency Comprises Executive Director, Principal
Advocate, 3 Senior Advocates, Office Manager.
DACSSA Services
• State-wide
• Advocate on behalf of all South Australians with
disabilities where the disability is:
 - An intellectual, psychiatric, Sensory or Physical impairment or a
brain injury.
 - Permanent or likely to be permanent and result in substantially
reduced capacity of the person.
Key Disability Legislation
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
(CRPD) (International)
• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) National
• Disability Service Act 1986 (National).
• National Disability Strategy (National).
• National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Barriers to Inclusion
• Physical Access
• Access to information
• Isolation
• Legal Access
What We Do
Individual and Systemic Advocacy
• Guiding Principles.
• SACAT, assistance at meetings with government and non-
government agencies; eg: Schools, Housing SA, Disability
SA, Employment, Health Services. NDIS.
• Individual Advocacy Plan
• Systemic Advocacy
What We Cannot Do
• Assist if issue is not disability related.
• Provide legal advice.
• Provide diagnostic advice.
• Provide financial support.
• Provide case management
• Provide advice on Centrelink payments
Advocacy Process
• Call: (08) 71226030
Intake
www.dacssa.org.au
• Principle Advocate
allocate an
advocate
• Individual
advocacy
• Systemic
advocacy
• Referral agency
Contact
DACSSA
• Closure
Advocacy
Thank You!
29 High Street
Kensington 5068
Tel: (08) 71226030
Email:[email protected]
Website:www.dacssa.org.au