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About us

DARU is a resource unit dedicated to working with disability advocacy organisations to promote and protect the rights of people with disability.
We develop and distribute resources and provide training opportunities to keep disability advocates informed and up-to-date about issues affecting people with disability in Victoria.
The Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU) was established in 2007 and is funded by the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
It is auspiced by the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) – the peak body for the community services sector in Victoria – and Disability Advocacy Victoria (DAV), the peak body for advocacy organisations in Victoria. The roles and responsibilities of DARU are set out in a Memorandum of Understanding and are overseen by the DARU Governance Group.

DARU works with disability advocacy organisations to promote and protect the rights of people with disability. It supports skilled advocacy practice and creates the conditions for systemic impact. It does so by:

  • developing and providing resources and training that keep disability advocates informed about matters affecting people with disability in Victoria;

  • convening forums, network meetings and communities of practice that facilitate sector collaboration and peer learning and support, and build sector capability;

  • undertaking strategic projects in collaboration with the sector and the Victorian Office for Disability.

DARU also works alongside VCOSS and DAV to shed light on and address systemic issues effecting people with disability in Victoria.

You can contact DARU via phone on  (03) 9639 5807 or email [email protected] 

 

DARU Team:

Manager: Melissa Hale
Resource Development Lead: Jax Brown
Policy and Projects Officer: Radhika Rego

DARU Governance Group:​
Director Policy, and Advocacy, VCOSS (Chair): Deb Fewster
President, DAV: Julie Phillips
Board Member, DAV: Melanie Muir
Independent Advocate: Judi Smith
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DARU is auspiced by DAV and VCOSS with funding from the Victorian Government Office for Disability

Disability Advocacy Victoria Inc.
Victorian Council of Social Service
Victoria State Government