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.
DARU Team:
Manager: Melissa Hale
Online Training Project Officer: Damian Cavenagh
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
President, DAV: Julie Phillips
Board Member, DAV: Melanie Muir
Independent Advocate: Judi Smith
