DRAS’ role is to provide advocacy for people with the following disabilities who live in the City of Greater Geelong and the Borough of Queenscliff :
- Intellectual Disability
- Physical Disability
- Psychiatric Disability
- Learning Disability
- Sensory Disability
- Acquired Brain Injury
- Autism
To be assisted by DRAS the person with disability must be under 65 years of age and be in receipt of, or eligible to receive, the disability pension. DRAS also assists the carers of people who have a disability.
Advocacy is the speaking, taking actions or writing on behalf of someone. Advocacy is carried out in a manner which is supportive, and the aim is to protect, promote and defend the welfare of each person and to make sure they are treated justly.
DRAS is funded by the Federal Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).
A DRAS advocate may be able to assist you in various ways. For example, an advocate may come with you to a meeting or help you to write a letter. Your advocate will explain in detail how our service can help with your individual issue.
If the service that you want from DRAS is something that we have the expertise and resources to do we will work with you to try and resolve your issue.
DRAS staff work according to the National Disability Standards and the agencies Policies and Procedures. The staff report to the DRAS Board of Management who ensure that the service is run according to best practice.
The National Disability Standards that apply to DRAS
STANDARD 1 – SERVICE ACCESS AND EXIT
Each person with a disability who is seeking a service has access to a service on the basis of relative need and available resources.
- You choose when you want to have help
- You can contact DRAS by phone to make an appointment
- You choose when you no longer need help and exit from the service
STANDARD 2 – INDIVIDUAL NEEDS
Each person with a disability receives a service that is designed to meet, in the least restrictive way, his or her individual needs and personal goals.
The advocate will ask what your needs are. Based on what you tell us, the advocate will then discuss how advocacy can be of assistance to you.
If your need can be met through an existing community or specialist service, this will be the first option explored to address your individual needs and goals.
STANDARD 3 – DECISION MAKING AND CHOICE
Each person with a disability has the opportunity to participate as fully as possible in making decisions about the events and activities of his or her daily life in relation to the services he or she receives.
DRAS will help you to become aware of your rights and responsibilities to assist you to make informed decisions and choices.
Your advocate will start working with you once you have decided on your advocacy goals. Your advocate will explain the options you have and the consequences of each option.
The advocate’s aim is to uphold your rights and responsibilities. An advocate may not support your choices and decisions if they believe you may be a danger to yourself or others. If what you want DRAS to assist you with is difficult or impossible to get, we will tell you.
STANDARD 4 – PRIVACY, DIGNITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
Each service recipient’s right to privacy dignity and confidentiality in all aspects of his or her life is recognised and respected.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The rules about confidentiality cover all the information you give to an employee of DRAS about a problem you have. If you get advice or assistance from DRAS, you have a legal right to confidentiality.
Any information a DRAS worker gets from you will not be given to anyone else unless we ask you first and you agree. You do not have to agree.
PRIVACY
The rules about privacy cover any information we have about you, including information that might come from other people and information that is not about an advocacy issue.
Everyone who contacts DRAS has a right to privacy. We will not give anyone else information about you that they do not need to know. DRAS aims to treat you and your personal information with respect.
STANDARD 5 – PARTICIPATION AND INTEGRATION
Each person with a disability is supported and encouraged to participate and be involved in the community.
People with disabilities should be able to access the community to the same degree as any other citizen. The community is where you live, who you live with, where you work, where you study or train and your friends.
If you choose to work with DRAS, we will help you access services that will support you being an active part of your community.
STANDARD 6 – VALUED STATUS
Each person with a disability has the opportunity to develop and maintain skills and to participate in activities that enable him or her to achieve valued roles in the community.
DRAS encourages you to become a valued part of your community by teaching you skills to uphold your own rights.
DRAS also aims to improve the community’s understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities by highlighting and celebrating people’s individual strengths.
STANDARD 7 – COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTES
Each service recipient is encouraged to raise and have resolved without fear of retribution, any complaints or disputes he or she may have regarding the service provider or the service.
If you are not happy with how DRAS does its job or about the decisions we make, you can tell us.
Please contact the DRAS office by phone or in writing to receive information on how to make an internal complaint.
If you are not satisfied with the manner in which DRAS handles your internal complaint you can contact the organisation listed below:
Complaints, Resolution & Referral Service (CRRS) Phone: 1800 880 052
The CRRS is a service that helps people with a disability work through their complaint about an advocacy service. CRRS is funded by the Federal Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
STANDARD 8 – SERVICE MANAGEMENT
Each service provider adopts quality management systems and practices that optimise outcomes for service recipients.
DRAS is a not for profit organisation and follows the Commonwealth government’s guidelines to make sure that the service we provide upholds your rights. The DRAS Board of Management oversees the operational management of the service.
STANDARD 9 – FREEDOM FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT
Each client has the right to be free from physical, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse and neglect.
DRAS staff will treat you with respect and consideration at all times.
DRAS workers should not:
- Work with you in a way that makes you feel afraid or uncomfortable
- Disrespect you because of your disability
- Ignore your opinions or goals