Disability Support Coordinator Vs Disability Advocate

 So I am sharing this post to give you a bit of information between the two roles and share why I chose advocacy rather then the support coordinator role for now anyway but never say never there is plenty of opportunity out there.

A support coordinator is not an independent advocate. In line with the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth), an independent advocate cannot be:

• A staff member of the NDIA
• A staff member of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
• A registered or unregistered NDIS provider, including support coordinators.

Support coordinators should help participants engage with community and other government services. 

However a participant’s support coordinator should not be acting as their formal advocate. A support coordinator’s role is to refer and connect a participant to advocacy services where necessary. 

Some questions which might help identify when a support coordinator might be moving into the role of an advocate include:

• Have I done all I can to help the participant make their needs clear to the provider, worker or government system through the established processes?
• Is the participant entering into a dispute, especially where there is legal involvement or escalation to administrative appeals?
• Have I fallen into dispute in a way that undermines my role and effectiveness as a support coordinator?
• Does my involvement in an NDIS review process create a conflict of interest, especially if I am requesting more support coordination funding at the participant’s plan reassessment?
• Is the level of complexity or time required to adequately represent the person beyond the level of support allocated to support coordination?
• Is the level of representation required beyond my skills and capacity, and the participant would benefit from an experienced advocate?
• Is there an appropriate formal advocacy service to refer the participant to?

If the answer to some of these questions is ‘yes’, then a support coordinator should consider whether their participant might benefit from formal advocacy and assist them to find a suitable advocacy service. 

The National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP

 supports people with disability to access effective advocacy that promotes, protects and ensures their full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in our communities.

How a Disability Advocate can help

 Read the disability advocacy for individuals fact sheet to learn more about how an advocate can assist people with disability. 

An advocate can provide information, help an individual explore their options and work through issues, and make informed decisions. Through NDAP, an advocate can assist individuals to: 

• understand and exercise their rights 
• self-advocate, wherever possible 
• identify and address situations of violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation 
• make a complaint 
• understand and/or access the NDIS, Centrelink and other government services 
• find and use community services, including legal services 
• request extra support (such as reasonable adjustments) at school or work. 

I have gone down the advocate path for now to follow my journey and how I gained help when I needed it and I hope to use my experiences to help and advocate for others I still need on going permanent help due to my permanent disabilities but the more I can share my knowledge and help others gain the support they need and are entitled to I feel empowered and inspired by their strength wanting to seek support too.

Services for specific needs and/or backgrounds  

Some NDAP organisations provide support for specific needs and/or backgrounds, including people: 

• with a specific type of disability (for example intellectual disability) 
• seeking help for a specific issue (for example housing, education or employment) 
• from a culturally and linguistically diverse background 
• who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. 

We also fund the NDIS Appeals Program to provide advocacy support for individuals affected by reviewable decisions of the National Disability Insurance Agency. Learn more about the NDIS Appeals Program. 

The Disability Advocacy Support Helpline provides phone-based disability advocacy support wherever you live in Australia. Based on your individual needs, the Helpline may refer you to other supports in your local area. 

To request disability advocacy support through the Helpline, contact the Disability Gateway: 

• Phone 1800 643 787 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm 
• Fill out the Contact us form. 

Visit our resources page for information about the Helpline in accessible Easy Read, Auslan and languages other than English. 

NDAP providers are available in every state and territory. 

Visit Ask Izzy - Disability Advocacy Finder to find a Disability Advocate provider in your area. 

Find an NDAP provider in your state and territory below. 

For information about the services they provide, their service coverage area and contact details, please go directly to the provider.  

Reference

https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-advocacy/national-disability-advocacy-program#how-a-disability-advocate-can-help

Why do I do the markets - mental health

 I decided to take on the markets to full fill a creative side since my stroke. It’s not easy never will be sometimes I’ll forget things when I have to pack the car with support workers sometimes it will be a different support worker change is sometimes hard for me to deal with but the markets is a source of community involvement and building confidence for myself not every market will be a success some more then others but I cannot do any without the help of my support workers.

Another factor I take into consideration with markets being a disability participant is weather that can be a lack of motivation for me and my anxiety may increase more wet weather as a passenger so lil drives here and there help with a break in between is perfect.

Routine is something else i don’t deal with well if there is change at rhe last minite because in my mind I have it set what’s going to happen then it changes my anxiety increases having support does help the situation..

So this is a brief insight why I do the markets now also  on the social side of things when my anxiety rises I don’t know when I might have a seizure I know there is people around but it’s still on the back of my mind what if I’m ignored but at lest there is people around is my thinking social rather being stuck at home should I have to be.

Also now I’d love to share a cuppa or two with a support worker who loves to craft and makes mugs and designs with me sometimes it is a bit lonely creating on my own. But I’ll be starting to bring some craft with me to markets and do some cards on the spot in company.

So as you can see it has its ups and downs doing markets for myself but very beneficial in many ways with the right support and I appreciate every support that comes along for the journey with me

World Record Attempt

 Good Day

I have a had a few enquires at the last markets about my record attempt I am still seeking an aappropiate venue who would love to sponsor me for a location for the attempt for free hire of space and in return I'd add them as a major sponsor and share their details on my official flyer to be held at the

VENUE:

and further details as below as per record details the  attempt must take place in a public location and accessible to the public the entire time. There is no record to beat at this stage so if we can make a decent effort in this time frame hopefully I can hold it for some time.  If you can assist with sponsorship for a prize to the person who donates the most cards during the day you're support would be much appreciated as well added to out sponsorship list.  This attempt is officially registered with the Guinness world Record Portal

Correction now the current record sits at 1,048 cards collected I'm sure we can beat that!!!

Creswick Markets Feb 15th 2025 update

 Good Morning

Well all I can say about the Creswick markets anything bad maybe the cold and rain but even then turned out to be a great result sold a few more mugs, then I did at my first Markets ever and doubled my float money and raised a little more for the Epilepsy Foundation. Funds getting added to the fundraising page as we speak

Everyone was so nice and welcoming and I cannot wait to attend again and better yet its much closer to home.

If you would like to make a mug order anytime

Small mugs $6

Medium mugs $7

Large $8

Special orders available

Extra for postage Australia Wide

I'm currently on the WAIT list for the next Creswick Markets so be sure to follow my facebook page for ongoing updates here

Hand made cards available on special order and personalized stickers too....

STAY tuned as more exciting projects will be added to my creative table including illuminated picture frames that glow in the dark working on my first master piece once the process is down packed I'll announce orders are available...

What have I been up to lately?

 It's been a busy few weeks getting my first market stall up and running and so I've been a bit delayed getting in getting the next challenge link up however I'm working on a new system where you can upload your art work to continuedly stay tuned 

So my firsts markets was completed Sunday 9th Feb in Ararat and I've decided I'll be attending them every month I loved the feel and the community and also the drive was not too bad I am getting more confident on that road.

It was Windy on the Saturday we arrived and to fill in time Saturday afternoon we drove around and found a show and shine event that was due to start at 4.30pm but I didn't feel like it was already a long day for me I just was hanging for dinner at the RSL which we did I had a chicken parma and my support worker had a Vegie Parma

I also experienced during the first post was played at 6pm the whole club stopped serving and we had to stand on the spot and listen to it until they turned toe lights on again and continue eating I've not stood for the post like that before at first we were a little confused to why it was happening but then found out they do it every day at 6pm in respect of the fallen - I like that idea

I have been busy printing some signs for the stall and made a donation box for the epilepsy foundation that I can keep using I raised $21.50 on the day in the box I rounded it to $25 and added it to the fundraising page

For lunch during Sunday I had 2 sausages from their sausage sizzle going I find it hard to pass up a good sizzle these days

A few people in the community took my business card it was great to hand them out too and chat to many of the on lookers

Oh I have been working on gaining sponsorships for STEPilepsy and picked up one of the major prizes from our local Swimming pool Ballarat Aquatic Centre

If you wish to sponsor my STEpilepsy cause you can make a donation and or email me anytime to offer a prize at the end of year

meganflynnm74@gmail.com

If you wish to join the fun and make you're steps count  you can create you're own page here

https://personalchallenge.gofundraise.com.au/page/STepilepsyChallenge

Did I sell any mugs yes I did I sold two mugs but it's all in fun and a learning experience always here are the Dates for my next lot of Markets for Ararat

Follow my facebook page for ongoing updates

https://www.facebook.com/craftfromtheheartbymegan

February 2025 challenge - Mothers day

 Welcome to Feb WOW hasn't it gone fast but here is FEB challenge before I forget as I get too involved with STepilepsy LOL the craft challenges must go on!! It's Valentines day month too so I tried to use a variety so you can use on your Valentines Project

STepilepsy 2025

 Welcome to team Megan Stepilepsy 2025,

GOAL: together as a team raise as much needed funds together as a team for the Epilepsy Foundation Australia 

HOW: recording our number of steps each day, treadmill, walking the dog, walking in the water how ever you can record you're steps

STARTS: NOW

FINISHES 1st December 2025

HELP RAISE AWARENESS: by using our hashtags, linking my social media page and blog where a Team T shirt soon coming, share a cuppa with friends buy ordering some personalized mugs

PRIZES

There will be ribbon and certificate  prizes for

1st

2nd 

3rd 

Everyone who participates will get a certificate 

Stay tuned on our facebook page for more updates

FAQS

How do I record my steps?

There are many pedometer apps you can download on any smart phone take a screen shot each day and post it to our facebook page and share you're progress

MapyMyWalk

Strava

Pedometer and step counter