DRC Resources

This page contains links to resources from:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander are advised that the following resources contain images and voices of people who have died.

‘So…’ Podcast with John Mckenna – Episode: Disability Advocacy & Counselling, Working together – John interviews DANA CEO Mary Mallett and Dr Cathy Kezelman AM, the President of Blue Knot Foundation which operates the National Counselling and Referral Service

This episode of the Inform podcast discusses the work of DANA and the Blue Knot Foundation in support of the DRC: Disability Royal Commission advocacy and counselling supports

Disability Royal Commission

Refer to the official website of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (or DRC for short) at www.disability.royalcommission.gov.au to ensure you are accessing the most up-to-date information.

Visit the DRC website to access or download the:

On the DRC YouTube channel you can find videos of:

The DRC newsletter Connect, provides fortnightly updates and news on the Commission’s work.

We also encourage organisations to re-share the Change starts with your story video on Facebook and YouTube through your social media pages, eNewsletters and embedding on your website:

Department of Social Services (DSS) website

Visit the DSS website to access information about the DRC support services or download the

People, some with visible disabilities, against pale yellow background - with NDAP, Blue Knot and Australian Government logos

DSS have created fact sheets, posters, and translated videos and audio for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that you can use and share.

 

Find translated versions in the following languages:

Your Story Disability Legal Support

Your Story Disability Legal Support provides free, independent legal support to share your story with the Disability Royal Commission.

(Translations in six other languages are available.)

This service has produced resources for people with disability, including a number of useful factsheets and guides, including some in Easy English:

There are also lists of Frequently Asked Questions for

Are you worried about sharing your story with the Disability Royal Commission? (short video)

(Translations in six other languages are available)

In the Your story matters video series, staff answer frequently asked questions about the Disability Royal Commission and how to access free support to share your story or someone else’s.

How can health professionals support the Disability Royal Commission? (short video)

Amendments to Confidentiality Protections  (30 minutes webinar)

It’s safer to share your story: Webinar for people with disability and their supporters (25 minutes)

If you are another support organisation wishing to make a referral to Your Story Disability Legal Support, there is an updated referral form, a legal referral checklist and guide to using that checklist on their Resources for Organisations page.

You can also watch their webinars about

Some of these webinars include useful information on how Your Story and disability advocates can work together.

‘Law for Community Workers on the go’ podcast episode: There’s more time to tell your story to the Disability Royal Commission – who can help? 

Your Story Senior Solicitor Sifa Mtango was featured in this February story on ABC News: Disability Royal Commission to resume this month

You have the right to share your story (short video):

DANA’s CEO Jeff Smith participated in the panel discussion at this event in April 2023:

National Counselling and Referral Service

Blue Knot Foundation delivers the National Counselling and Referral Service as a key trauma-informed support for people with disability, family members, carers, advocates and workers who have experienced or witnessed abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation.

Anyone who wishes to access this support does not need to make a submission or have any prior involvement with the Disability Royal Commission.

You can call the National Counselling and Referral Service – Disability on 1800 421 468.

To find out more about the National Counselling and Referral Service, visit the Blue Knot Foundation website or watch this Panel Discussion and Q and A.

Blue Knot has created relevant resources, including:

Resources from organisations providing advocacy support

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that featured videos below include the images and voices of people who have died.

Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities Inc. (VIC)

Advocacy for Inclusion

Advocacy Tasmania

Aged and Disability Advocacy (QLD)

Association for Children with a Disability (VIC)

Council for Intellectual Disability

Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service of South Australia Inc

Darwin Community Legal Service

Deaf Victoria

Short video about support to make a submission: 

Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (VIC)

Family Advocacy

Grampians disAbility Advocacy

First Nations woman Lisa Sansbury tells her story of trauma and abuse after being removed from her family at a young age. She tells her story in a painting to be submitted to the Disability Royal Commission with the support of her Indigenous advocate Fiona Tipping at Grampians disAbility Advocacy.

Proud Indigenous man Thomas Marks tells his story of being Stolen Gen, incarceration and turning his life around through art:

IDEAS

Kin

  • DRC advocacy factsheets available in translated versions in community languages: Vietnamese, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Dari, Farsi and Karen

Leadership Plus

Telling your story to the Disability Royal Commission (3 minute video):

North East Citizen Advocacy

  • What is the Disability Royal Commission? short video:

PATH Inc

  • Video (10 minutes) featuring interview with Kevin – he speaks about the family and institutional abuse he experienced while growing up and encourages others to share their story

People With Disabilities WA and WA network

Queensland Advocacy Incorporated

Rights Information and Advocacy Centre

Speak Out Association of Tasmania

Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council

 Victorian Advocacy League For Individuals With Disability

Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service Inc. (VIC)

Women With Disabilities Victoria

Youth Disability Advocacy Network (WA)

Youth Disability Advocacy Service (VIC)

  • Sharing Your Story with the Disability Royal Commission (short video) 

 

National representative organisations

Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO)

People With Disability (PWD) Australia

Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA)

Inclusion Australia

National Ethnic Disability Alliance

  • Disability Royal Commission Counselling & Advocacy video:

  • What Are Your Rights as a Migrant or Refugee with a Disability? videos:  Part 1 and Part 2

Women With Disability Australia (WWDA)

First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) Australia

Autistic Self Advocacy Network Australia and New Zealand

Blind Citizens Australia

Deaf Australia

Deafblind Australia

 

Other useful resources and information

Unofficial information site: www.disabilityroyalcommission.com

The Brain Network: Disability Royal Commission, Inequities in health & education w Ricki Spencer (YouTube video)

AMAZE

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

ABC News created a Disability Royal Commission webpage for relevant news stories, such as:

This page has now been archived. You can find recent coverage of the DRC public hearings by Elizabeth Wright, the national disability affairs reporter with the ABC’s Specialist Reporting Team, or search “Disability Royal Commission” on their home page.

JFA Purple Orange

Joy Media

Positive Powerful Parents

(Positive Powerful Parents is a self advocacy group supported by Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU), which is auspiced by AMIDA)

Safe Story Sharing video (for Self Advocates):

Speak My Language (Disability)

Starting with Julius

Relationships NSW

8 short videos, giving examples of different kinds of abuse, neglect and violence experienced by people with disability:

Relationships Australia NT

  • Safe To Share video: 

The Guardian