Helping families understand what’s possible and how to achieve it
Our advocacy staff and our family members provide information and support, and assist with advocacy strategies for families when they need help. We offer resources for families to help them through key transitions like starting school, leaving school and planning a good life in the community.
We believe that families are most likely to take up the role of advocacy for their family member with disability and act in their interests and no one else’s. We consider that families hold a natural authority in the lives of their family member with disability, while also acknowledging that this may not be the case for all families.
At QPPD families support each other to challenge injustice and discrimination and to get the best possible results from systems like education, training and housing. There are many examples where families have successfully changed policies or situations by standing up for the rights of their family member with disability.
QPPD works with families to enable them to act as advocates with and on behalf of a family member with disability. Family advocates work with families and allies on either a short-term or an issue-specific basis. Family advocates work within the fundamental principle that the rights and interests of a person with disability are upheld at all times.
Information to assist families in their advocacy
At the QPPD AGM in 2011 we were privileged to hear Janet Klees talk about the core values which underpin her work with families and the importance of personal stories for families advocating for their family member. She has made available two documents which families may find helpful in planning and advocating for their sons and daughters.