Meet the Intellectual Disability Rights Service

Tell us about the Intellectual Disability Rights Service. What is your mission?

The Justice Advocacy Service is a statewide program of the Intellectual Disability Rights Service.

The Intellectual Disability Rights Service provides free services for people with cognitive impairment across New South Wales, assisting them with legal issues, NDIS appeals, parents with intellectual disability, and education. It works alongside people with cognitive impairment to promote and protect their rights.

Describe the programs or initiatives, and why are they offered.

The Justice Advocacy Service program supports victims, witnesses, suspects and defendants who have a cognitive impairment. Volunteers provide support at court, police stations (24/7), correctional facilities and legal appointments.

Justice Advocacy Service collaborates with key services within the criminal legal system and disability services to advocate for and support clients. It supports over 2500 people each year.

This is an essential program, as people with cognitive impairment are significantly overrepresented in the criminal justice system, and very few victims with cognitive impairment are able to seek justice. It is very difficult for them to know, understand and exercise their rights – it is a very inaccessible system.

How do you involve volunteers in your programs?

Justice Advocacy Service volunteers are involved in various areas of service. – mainly direct client support: supporting at court, police stations and correctional facilities, if they choose to. Other volunteers provide key administration support, either in the office or remotely.

How do your volunteers make a difference in the community?

Justice Advocacy Service volunteers contribute between 40 and 50 per cent of direct client support across many regions of New South Wales. They are dedicated, kind, resourceful and client centred. Each year, Justice Advocacy Service volunteers support thousands of clients, enabling the service to reach areas of NSW that might otherwise go without support.

Do you have any stories from your volunteers?

One Justice Advocacy Service volunteer said: “Being a volunteer with Justice Advocacy Service not only helps you feel useful within your community and valued. It also lets you draw upon your own knowledge and skills to help advocate for clients.”

What resources or services have helped to support your volunteer programs?

The Centre for Volunteering has provided a wide range of resources and services to support the development of the Justice Advocacy Service volunteering program. These include legal frameworks, position descriptions, compliance tools, links to other volunteer involving organisations, and professional development opportunities, just to name a few.

Why did your organisation become a member of The Centre? What benefit has it brought your organisation?

Being a member of The Centre for Volunteering provides Justice Advocacy Service with the resources and services mentioned, as well as opportunities to stay connected to the volunteering community, and remain relevant and up to date.

What have you learnt about the value of volunteering and/or volunteer management?

Lara Mansfield, the Justice Advocacy Service Volunteer Program Coordinator, has connected with many volunteers over the years.

“Each person brings life-experience to the role, and they give so much. I’m constantly surprised and humbled by the dedication of our volunteers,” she says.

What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering? 

Come along and try it! You’ll meet people from all walks of life whom you might not otherwise connect with, and you can really see the difference you can make to their lives. Some people are hesitant because they don’t have experience in the legal system, but Justice Advocacy Service provides everyone with all the necessary training they need, and ongoing support.

LEARN MORE ABOUT INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RIGHTS SERVICE

Membership

The Centre is proud to support organisations like Intellectual Disability Rights Service, doing important work in the community.

“Being a member of The Centre for Volunteering provides Justice Advocacy Service with resources and services, as well as opportunities to stay connected to the volunteering community, and remain relevant and up to date.”

– Intellectual Disability Rights Service