Advocacy

We recognise that people with diabetes confront many issues that affect their physical, emotional and financial health. Our advocacy service can support you in addressing issues of concern such as discrimination and helps connect you to services and resources.

We advocate for people with diabetes at many levels including:

Individual consumer advocacy

• Helps people with diabetes and their carers to secure their rights and know their responsibilities
• Aids individuals to self advocate and build confidence
• Assists those with diabetes to work their way around the health care system and links them to services and resources as needed.

State level consumer advocacy

• Assists people with diabetes when they face barriers and exclusions resulting in discrimination in public life. For example when seeking employment, participation in school, sporting and recreation activities, access to nursing homes, serving a prison sentence or disposing of their medical waste.

National level consumer advocacy

• Refers matters of concern, possible solutions, and ideas for improvement in services and policies to the relevant authority or organisation on behalf of groups of people with diabetes. For example access to affordable diabetes medicines and changes to Centrelink.
• Working with diabetes advocates in other states and the National office as required on the bigger picture issues.

International level consumer

• Researches and monitors international trends in diabetes advocacy. For example reference to international journals and linkage to peak diabetes organisation on consumer advocacy matters.

For additional information on our consumer advocacy see the 'Advocacy FAQ' page or contact our Advocacy Coordinator through the Diabetes Info Line 1300 136 588.