Our HISTORY
Homepage / About SpeakOut / Our History
Speak Out is a state-wide advocacy service that has members with intellectual disability. We aim to develop a respectful and inclusive community for people living with a disability.
Our Background
Advocacy means ‘standing beside’ someone, or standing up for someone’s rights.
An advocate is on your side if you are being treated unfairly and will help you work out what you want and how they can help you. Speak Out employs advocates who are experienced in working with people living with a disability.
Our Story
People with all types of disabilities as stated in the Disability Services Act (Tas). That is if you have a disability that:
Is permanent or likely to be permanent, and;
The disability causes you to have difficulties with communication, learning or mobility, and;
You need support services to help you.
SpeakOut may not be able to help if –
The advocate thinks there is another service that is better able to meet your needs;
There is not an advocate with the time available when you need help;
You need support services to help you.
If this is the case we will refer you to the service that is best able to help you.
Speak Out helps the people who need it the most. We decide this by:
How serious is the person’s problem is?
Can the person get help from another service?
How hard is it for the person to deal with the problem on their own?
Do we have someone who can help you at the time you need help?