EDS4804
ASSIGNMENT 3
2026
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 2026
, Putting advocacy into action - EDS4804
SECTION A: FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF ADVOCACY
Question 1. Define advocacy in the context of disability services and explain why
self-determination is regarded as a core principle of this practice. [5 marks]
Advocacy in the context of disability services refers to the process of supporting and
empowering people with disabilities to understand, exercise and defend their rights,
express their views, make decisions and participate fully in matters that affect their lives.
Advocacy may involve challenging discrimination, seeking access to appropriate
services, promoting equality, or assisting a person to communicate their wishes to
service providers, families, government institutions and other decision-makers.
Self-determination is a core principle of advocacy because people with disabilities have
the right to make choices about their own lives rather than having decisions imposed on
them by other people. An advocate should therefore support a person to identify what
they want, understand the available choices and communicate their decisions. For
example, if a person with a disability is deciding where to live, the advocate should
provide accessible information about the available options and support the person to
make their preferred choice rather than deciding on their behalf.
Self-determination also promotes dignity, independence and participation. It changes
advocacy from simply speaking for a person to creating opportunities for the person to
speak and act for themselves. Therefore, effective disability advocacy should
strengthen the person's ability to exercise their own rights and make meaningful
decisions about their life. The assignment specifically identifies promoting awareness of
the right of people with disabilities to make their own decisions as one of its central
assessment criteria.
ASSIGNMENT 3
2026
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 2026
, Putting advocacy into action - EDS4804
SECTION A: FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF ADVOCACY
Question 1. Define advocacy in the context of disability services and explain why
self-determination is regarded as a core principle of this practice. [5 marks]
Advocacy in the context of disability services refers to the process of supporting and
empowering people with disabilities to understand, exercise and defend their rights,
express their views, make decisions and participate fully in matters that affect their lives.
Advocacy may involve challenging discrimination, seeking access to appropriate
services, promoting equality, or assisting a person to communicate their wishes to
service providers, families, government institutions and other decision-makers.
Self-determination is a core principle of advocacy because people with disabilities have
the right to make choices about their own lives rather than having decisions imposed on
them by other people. An advocate should therefore support a person to identify what
they want, understand the available choices and communicate their decisions. For
example, if a person with a disability is deciding where to live, the advocate should
provide accessible information about the available options and support the person to
make their preferred choice rather than deciding on their behalf.
Self-determination also promotes dignity, independence and participation. It changes
advocacy from simply speaking for a person to creating opportunities for the person to
speak and act for themselves. Therefore, effective disability advocacy should
strengthen the person's ability to exercise their own rights and make meaningful
decisions about their life. The assignment specifically identifies promoting awareness of
the right of people with disabilities to make their own decisions as one of its central
assessment criteria.
