Advocacy

Working in partnership with disabled people and taking their side, TIRC takes action to help disabled people say what they want, to secure their rights, to represent their interests and to help them obtain the services they need. Through such advocacy TIRC seeks to promote social inclusion, equality and social justice for disabled people of all ages living in this borough.

TIRC provides an advocacy service as part of the overall support service that people can access either formally or informally. What this means in practical terms is that if someone has a problem with for instance the Social Services Department, the PCT or any other service provider, then the person can approach the team for an informal chat to identify the problem or issue. When the issue is defined it is then possible to decide the best way forward. The team can deal with a situation that simply means help with an application form or a more complex case could be assistance with a formal complaint against Thurrock Council or your local hospital. The service is free, the only condition is that the issue is disability related.

So what is a disabled person, does it mean a medical condition? No! The Disability Discrimination Act has a very good definition;

A person has a disability for the purposes of this Act if he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Advocacy support is available to the disabled person or the parent or the carer.

Definition of advocacy: "Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need Advocates and advocacy schemes work in partnership with the people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality and social justice.

This is the definitive definition of the "Action for Advocacy Organisation".

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