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Advocacy

Advocacy support to help make important decisions about the rights and best interests of you or someone you care for.

If you have been directly impacted by brain injury or disability and need someone speak on your behalf or to assist you to speak on your own behalf, we can support you. Our Advocacy team assists people with disability to make decisions that affect their lives and ensure that rights, interest and needs are upheld. Our accredited, specialist brain injury and disability Advocacy services are available at no charge.

Individual Advocacy (NSW)

Our Individual Advocacy service provides self-advocacy support for people with a disability as well as advocacy support for carers and guardians. There are no age limits to this service and it is provided at no cost for those eligible, however Individual Advocacy is currently only available in New South Wales.

If you live outside NSW, please contact our Information and Referral team to find Advocacy services in your area.

The individual advocacy service can help with a broad range of matters, including:

  • Asking for more suitable services
  • Navigating services and systems
  • Supporting a person at important meetings
  • Helping you to make a complaint
  • Representing your needs to government agencies, service providers, hospitals etc

This may include helping you with concerns about your access to or the level of service you are receiving through, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). See below for more information about our NDIS Appeals Service.

There are matters that the advocacy service cannot help with, such as:

  • Providing legal, medical or clinical advice
  • Providing advocacy for a person when a more appropriate service is available
  • Making decisions on the behalf of a person with a disability

NDIS Appeals

If you have received an unsatisfactory or inappropriate NDIS plan outcome from the NDIA, or have been denied access all together, we can offer you advice and support.

Our team’s specialist disability advocacy knowledge allows us to advocate for you and support you through the appeals process. We understand the NDIS application and appeals process in detail, know what information to look for and how to develop an approach that best represents you and your desired outcomes.

NDIS Appeals can be accessed by anyone who:

  • Has made an NDIS application
  • Has been denied NDIS access
  • Is unsatisfied with NDIS plan inclusions

 

We will be with you at every step of the process from initial consultation through to NDIA internal reviews and Administrative Appeals Tribunal hearings. This involves:

  • Assisting you in gathering information that will support you in your NDIS Appeal
  • Advocating for you or assisting you to advocate for yourself
  • Attending hearings and review meetings with you
  • Assisting you to access legal assistance and funding if required during the NDIS Appeals process.

Stories from our Advocacy Team

Advocacy Case Studies

Catherine's Journey

After a motor vehicle accident left Catherine* in a wheelchair with a brain injury, her life changed completely and she had to live with her parents. Synapse supported Catherine and her family to gradually transition her to independent living and fuller life.

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Advocacy Case Studies

Harrison's Journey

After Harrison’s* mother and carer passed away, he was left to navigate a complex estate situation. Synapse advocates worked with Harrison to find the legal support required to reach a positive outcome that has since seen him living in his own home.

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Advocacy Case Studies

Matthew's Journey

In 2020, Matthew* suffered multiple strokes which resulted in severe disability. After struggling to get suitable care through the Public Guardian, Matthew's friends and the Synapse Advocacy Team took action. Thanks to the support of his family, friends and the efforts of Matthew’s advocate at Synapse, he now has greater control over decisions regarding his care.

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Leanne Hall
Family & Carers

Leanne Hall

Leanne Hall cares for two complex needs children and has struggled for years to organise support from the NDIS for her son, Ollie. Rachael Kernick of Synapse became part of 'Team Ollie', and has contributed to life-changing funding for the family. 

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Explore more of our services

Training & Education

Training & Education

Synapse delivers unique training to help you, and your team, better understand the needs of people impacted by brain injuries.

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NDIS Services

NDIS Services

Registered NDIS pre-planning, support coordination and specialised services to ensure you, or the person you are caring for, get the most suitable support.

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