ADACAS - ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service

ADACAS - ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service An independent not for profit advocacy organisation for people with disability, older people and carers.

ADACAS provides independent individual advocacy to people with disability, frail older people and their carers in the ACT and region.

Advocacy is sometimes misunderstood as stepping in to fix problems. We see our advocacy work as supporting people to bui...
17/04/2026

Advocacy is sometimes misunderstood as stepping in to fix problems. We see our advocacy work as supporting people to build confidence, understanding and decision-making skills that stay with them long after involvement with ADACAS ends. For people with disability, people experiencing mental ill health and older people, this support can make the difference between feeling sidelined and feeling able to participate on their own terms in decisions that directly impact their lives.

As aged care, disability and mental health systems recognise and formalise rights-based systems where people are actively involved in decisions about their care and support, greater emphasis is placed on listening to and respecting individual preferences and lived experience. Advocacy supports this shift by helping people ask questions, understand their options and engage in ways that feel right for them, rather than taking decisions out of their hands.

We offer support that builds confidence and strengthens independence. When people are equipped with information and space to reflect, they are better positioned to stay involved as systems, policies and services continue to change. ADACAS’s advocacy is about backing people’s strengths and reinforcing their right to be heard.

If you're seeking support from an advocate, please contact our intake team to see if we can help you by calling 02 6242 5060 or through our website: www.adacas.org.au.





Last month, our Older Persons Advocacy team presented at the Canberra Cancer Support Services Networking Morning Tea. In...
16/04/2026

Last month, our Older Persons Advocacy team presented at the Canberra Cancer Support Services Networking Morning Tea. In a small and thoughtful group, we had the chance to talk about the experiences of older people living with cancer and how advocacy can support them.
One of the questions raised was about what happens when an older person’s needs increase due to cancer, and they have completed an aged care assessment, but are still waiting for Support at Home services to begin. This is something many people are facing.

In these situations, short-term supports can make a real difference. The ACT Government’s Community Assistance and Temporary Supports (CATS) Program provides practical help to support people to stay well at home while longer-term services are being arranged. This can include personal care, help around the home, transport to medical appointments, food services and support for carers.

ADACAS provides free, independent and confidential advocacy as part of the CATS program. We can help people understand what support they may be eligible for and work alongside them to access services at a time when things can feel uncertain or overwhelming.

If your community group or support service would like to hear more from one of our Aged Care advocates, or if you would like more information, please contact us on (02) 6242 5060 or visit our website www.adacas.org.au.






Having the right information at the right time can be a great start to creating an inclusive workplace.Through the ADACA...
15/04/2026

Having the right information at the right time can be a great start to creating an inclusive workplace.

Through the ADACAS Disability Employer Confidence Program, employers in the ACT and Queanbeyan can access our suite of clear, practical information sheets designed to support employing people with disability. These resources have been developed to answer common questions and give employers straightforward guidance they can use in real workplace settings.

The Employer Confidence Program supports businesses across four key areas: attraction, selection, onboarding and retention. Alongside tailored advice from our experienced team members, these resources can help you feel more confident in creating workplaces where people with disability can contribute and thrive.

We also publish a monthly Employer Confidence Newsletter, sharing insights, updates and practical guidance to support inclusive employment and challenge common misconceptions.

To find out more about the free ADACAS Employer Confidence Program or subscribe to the monthly newsletter, visit:
https://adacas.org.au/services/employer-confidence-program/

You can also speak with one of our team members on 02 6242 5060.





We’re always pleased to support opportunities that bring people together in welcoming, inclusive spaces, and this upcomi...
15/04/2026

We’re always pleased to support opportunities that bring people together in welcoming, inclusive spaces, and this upcoming event from Meridian ACT sounds like fun.

We work alongside Meridian ACT, and we value the spaces they create for LGBTIQ+ people, including older community members, to feel safe, supported and connected.

They are hosting an all-ages afternoon tea dance with All The Queens Men, bringing together the tradition of tea dances with q***r community culture. It’s a relaxed and welcoming event where you can enjoy music from across the decades and spend time connecting with others over light refreshments.

There’s no pressure to dance. You’re just as welcome to come along, have a chat, and enjoy the atmosphere.

If this sounds like something you or someone you support would enjoy, you can find the details below:
Saturday, 18 April, 12:30 - 3:30pm
Ainslie Arts Centre
30 Elouera St, Braddon ACT

RSVP: www.meridianact.org.au/lgbtiq_tea_dance

Each month, our Older Persons Advocacy team sets up an information stall and spends time at Canberra Hospital, North Can...
14/04/2026

Each month, our Older Persons Advocacy team sets up an information stall and spends time at Canberra Hospital, North Canberra Hospital and University of Canberra Hospital. You’ll see our familiar set-up around the hospital reception areas, making it easy to stop by to ask questions about aged care-related matters and discover the resources we offer.

You’re always welcome to approach us and there’s no need for an appointment. Whether you have a specific query or just want to understand what support might be available, we’re here to talk it through with you.

We can also share information about supports like the ACT Government’s Community Assistance and Temporary Supports (CATS) program, which can offer short-term help to recover at home after a hospital visit, if you don't have other forms of support in place yet. This can include practical assistance such as personal care, transport to appointments, food services and support for carers. We can help you understand what you may be eligible for and how to access it.

ADACAS advocacy is free, independent and confidential. We work alongside you so you can make informed decisions and feel more confident about what comes next.

📍 We’ll be at North Canberra Hospital this week.
Thursday, 16 April at 12.30pm
Mary Potter Circuit, Bruce ACT

Hope to see you then.





Since November 2025, Australia’s aged care system has gone through one of its most significant periods of change in deca...
13/04/2026

Since November 2025, Australia’s aged care system has gone through one of its most significant periods of change in decades. A new rights-based Aged Care Act, a formal Statement of Rights, strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, and the Support at Home program replacing Home Care Packages have all arrived at once. These reforms are welcomed as an important step towards a stronger, more rights-focused aged care system.

Across the community, we hear from many older people, families, and carers who feel overwhelmed by the challenge of keeping track of the changes and new systems. This reflects the difficulty of absorbing complex information at a stage of life when stability matters and when many are already managing complex health, care, and family responsibilities.

New programs and legislation don’t always translate smoothly into lived experience, and we know that accessing clear and reliable information remains a key concern for many older people.

For older people in the ACT, ADACAS plays an important role as a steady presence, helping individuals pause, understand the changes, and work out what they mean for them personally. Advocacy ensures that people are supported to adapt and move confidently forward within the new systems.

www.adacas.org.au







Understanding independence as having to manage everything alone is a narrow view of what it means in daily life. We see ...
09/04/2026

Understanding independence as having to manage everything alone is a narrow view of what it means in daily life. We see it as having control over decisions and choices, even when support is part of daily life, and for older people, those with disability or experiencing mental ill health, this is an important distinction.

Current rights-based approaches in health, disability, and aged care recognise that support can enhance a person’s independence. Access to information, advocacy, or decision-making assistance can help people express their preferences and stay involved, particularly when systems are complex or changing.

✅ Advocacy works alongside independence, not instead of it.

By supporting people to understand their rights and engage on their own terms, advocacy reinforces self-determination and respect. Independence doesn’t disappear when support is present … it is possible because of it.

ADACAS offers free, confidential, and independent advocacy for older people, people with disability, people experiencing mental ill health and carers. If you would like information, support, or help understanding your options, you can contact our team via www.adacas.org.au, call (02) 6242 5060.






NSW school holidays are a great chance for families to pause and consider what support their student with disability mig...
09/04/2026

NSW school holidays are a great chance for families to pause and consider what support their student with disability might need for the upcoming term.

Navigating the school system can feel complicated when families are trying to understand what support is available and how to access it. Spending some time during the break to review supports, ask questions, and prepare for the next school term can make a real difference.

ADACAS provides free, independent and confidential advocacy support for students with disability to navigate the education system and access essential services across the Murrumbidgee, Southern NSW and Illawarra-Shoalhaven regions. This service is funded through the NSW Department of Communities and Justice's Disability Advocacy Futures Program.

We walk alongside students and their families to help them understand their rights and strengthen communication with teachers, principals and support teams. ADACAS can help families understand how to make the most of the assistance available.

We can support families to:
✅ Understand students’ rights in the school system
✅ Learn about what schools can provide
✅ Connect with additional services
✅ Communicate openly and confidently with schools
✅ Prepare letters and applications
✅ Raise concerns with schools or the NSW Department of Education

Support is available in person, by phone or through video link. Families who contact us can expect to be heard and supported in making informed decisions that suit their situation.

If you are a parent or carer of a student with disability and would like to speak to one of our advocates, contact ADACAS on 02 6242 5060 or visit www.adacas.org.au.





In aged care settings and through Support at Home, decisions often take shape in everyday conversations as options are e...
08/04/2026

In aged care settings and through Support at Home, decisions often take shape in everyday conversations as options are explained and information is shared. These can influence whether an older person and their family carers feel informed and supported, or uncertain about what comes next. For family members, this can be especially challenging, as they want to support an older parent or relative but feel unsure about what questions to ask or how to stay involved without overstepping.

Talking with an ADACAS advocate can help both older people and those supporting them by focusing on communication, rights, and shared understanding. We’ll be hosting ‘drop-in’ information sessions over the coming weeks, offering an opportunity to talk with an ADACAS advocate about aged care rights and how advocacy can help older people and their families have their voices heard.

📍 This week, we’ll be at:
Canberra Hospital, Garran
Thursday, 9 April at 1pm

📍 Next week, we’ll be at:
North Canberra Hospital, Bruce
Thursday, 16 April at 12.30pm

No appointment is needed.

Our advocacy is free, confidential and independent. We’re here to support you, not providers, if you need help raising concerns or understanding your options.





Last week, the ADACAS team gathered for cultural awareness training at CIT Yurauna, the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait...
02/04/2026

Last week, the ADACAS team gathered for cultural awareness training at CIT Yurauna, the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education centre that honours First Nations knowledge and culture.

What unfolded across the day was unforgettable.

Delivered through storytelling by Wendy Brookman, a proud Butchulla/Badjala woman and Head of Department at CIT Yurauna, the training encouraged us to listen deeply and walk with Wendy as she generously shared her knowledge, lived experience, and cultural insight. It was a natural and profoundly human way of learning, which held our team engaged from start to finish.

We are mindful of keeping the stories shared confidential, but we can say this: the day gave us a deeper, more empathetic understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and a richer appreciation of the strength, resilience, and complexity of the cultures and histories that shape First Nations perspectives.

This learning matters to us and will enhance the way we work alongside our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, and reinforces our commitment to building respectful, genuine partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.

We left Yurauna with a renewed sense of responsibility, knowing that cultural learning is not a one-off event but an ongoing journey of reflection, humility, and action.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to learn in this way, and we will carry these stories forward as we continue our advocacy work.






For many older people, it’s not always clear that if your current aged care supports aren’t meeting your needs, you do h...
01/04/2026

For many older people, it’s not always clear that if your current aged care supports aren’t meeting your needs, you do have options. Under the Support at Home framework, you are free to change to a provider that better suits your needs and preferences, without needing to undergo a new assessment or risk interruption to your funding or support.

At ADACAS, we stand beside older people and their carers to ensure they understand these rights and feel confident acting on them. Our independent advocates can help you explore your options, navigate information, or raise concerns when something isn’t working. Our support is free, confidential, and centred on what matters to you, making sure your aged care experience reflects your preferences and values.

If you live in the ACT and are unsure about your options or struggling to have your preferences respected, ADACAS can help you speak up. Make a referral to ADACAS for yourself or someone you know by using our referral form on our website: https://adacas.org.au/make-a-referral/



We’re looking forward to continuing Community Corner this week, connecting with people across Canberra through our ongoi...
31/03/2026

We’re looking forward to continuing Community Corner this week, connecting with people across Canberra through our ongoing partnership with Libraries ACT. The ADACAS older persons team will be available to chat about any challenges you’re facing. We’re here to listen and provide the support, information, and resources you need.

Community Corner brings local services directly into your neighbourhood libraries to share information, answer questions, and help you navigate the systems that shape everyday life. No appointments, no referrals, just friendly conversations and practical support in a space you already know.

Our next Community Corner session will be held at:
📍 Civic Library
Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra
Wednesday, 1 April
10.15 – 12pm
To learn more, visit adacas.org.au or call (02) 6242 5060.






Address

Unit 14 Weston Community Hub, 6 Gritten St
Weston, ACT
2611

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61262425060

Website

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