Advocacy

One of Diabetes Australia’s key roles is to represent the interests and concerns of people with diabetes throughout Australia.  It is through the Advocacy Officers in each state and territory that Diabetes Australia lobbies local governments and advocates on behalf of people with diabetes across the country.

Healthy Living NT provides advocacy on a range of issues.

The provision of improved services for people with diabetes – for example, sharps disposal facilities for people with diabetes in the NT.

• Drivers’ licences, machine operator licences and the defence forces. Healthy Living NT continues to work with consumer groups and regulatory bodies to seek satisfactory resolutions in respect to these issues.
• Schools – Healthy Living NT works extensively with schools where there are children with type 1 diabetes to ensure that a school and its staff are aware of their duty of care to children with type 1 diabetes.  The organisation also speaks to the classmates of children with diabetes in order to teach them about the condition and to help dispel the myths that can sometimes lead to discrimination.

When additional advocacy resources are required to solve or manage a particular issue and when a certain issue affects all people with diabetes in Australia then support from the National body is sought.

Nationally Diabetes Australia has recognised that the ability of state and territory organisations to effectively carry forward the concerns of their members to the Federal Government, large private sector national bodies and areas beyond the member organisations’ immediate jurisdictions has been limited and their assistance may be required.

The presence of a national advocacy resource in DA’s National Office allows greater ability to liaise with the Federal Government and its Public Service departments and agencies, and with national businesses; eg, insurance houses.

Areas of activity pursued by the National Advocacy Officer include alleged workplace discrimination in national organisations such as

• the defence forces
• the impositions placed on people with diabetes when seeking national standard drivers’ licences
• premium loadings on travel and other forms of insurance provided by national companies
• the need for diabetes management medications and products to be made available at acceptable cost to individuals
• access to support and diabetes education by people whose first language is other than English.

For questions regarding advocacy please contact us or The National Advocacy Officer may be contacted at advocate@diabetesaustralia.com.au.

Last Updated 8 June 2010 Print friendly page