Regional Disability Advocacy Service

05/03/2026

✨Final Places Remaining – SPARK Women’s Leadership Program ✨

This is your last chance to apply for our next intake.

There are only a few spots left in Albury–Wodonga for our upcoming intake starting late March.

Applications close on March 10 — or earlier if the last places are filled.

Because of strong interest, we are also running SPARK in Wangaratta from late March, and there are only a few spots left there too.

(Groups in Wagga Wagga and Griffith will run later in 2026.)

This program is designed for women with disability that have experienced family and/or domestic violence that want to grow their confidence and leadership skills.

If you would like to:
✨ Build your leadership skills
✨ Speak up and advocate for yourself with confidence
✨ Meet and connect with other women
✨ Grow personally and emotionally

Now is the time to apply!

When the remaining places are filled, applications will close until our next intake.

🗓 Applications close: 10 March
📍 Limited places left in Albury–Wodonga and Wangaratta groups

Apply now, or share this with a woman who might be ready to take the next step in her leadership journey.

www.rdas.org.au/spark

04/03/2026

It was a pleasure to be able to help Carol and her son get the support they needed in his NDIS plan.

[Image shows a mother and son standing together in a calm and relaxed pose. The mother is looking directly at the camera and smiling. She has her arm around her son's shoulder. He is leaning on her shoulder and looking slightly down and away from the camera. The text says "RDAS assisted me with an issue concerning my son's NDIS plan. I could not have done this on my own. My Advocate was fantastic support... they went above and beyond for us. Carol, Albury". Underneath the text is the RDAS logo.]

03/03/2026

The March edition of Infotree, our monthly stakeholder newsletter, is available here: https://mailchi.mp/rdas.org.au/infotree-march-2026

25/02/2026

If you'd like to know more about SPARK, our leadership program for women with disabilities who have experienced family or domestic violence, check out this video:

Learn more about our leadership program for women with disability who have experienced family or domestic violence. To register your expression of interest, ...

19/02/2026

Have you seen either of these flags before? They both represent disability.

The first one (red diamond on white background) is a maritime flag called foxtrot; ships fly it to signal "I am disabled; communicate with me". It has been adapted by some people in the disability community to represent themselves.

The second one (charcoal grey background with diagonal stripes of green, blue, white, yellow and red going from the top left to the bottom right) is used to represent disability pride. Click on the flag to read more about the symbolism in it.

Which do you prefer? React with a like for the maritime flag, or a heart for the pride flag.

18/02/2026

Last week was our Wodonga SAILS group's turn to talk about boundaries and friendships. We discussed the importance of respecting our own boundaries as well as other people's, and we talked about the seven types of boundaries:
* Time management
* Material/Financial
* Mental health
* Physical
* Emotional
* Spiritual
* Non-negotiable

11/02/2026

Giving you someone to talk to who just gets it, doesn't judge you, and actually helps you resolve your issue is what we do. Call us on 1800 250 292 if you've got a human rights problem you need support to address.

[Image description: photo shows close up of Elizabeth, a woman with long dark blonde hair and sunglasses and wearing a black top. She is looking up towards the camera with a serious expression on her face. The caption says "RDAS helped me put in a complaint against one of my service providers. I was happy to be able to get some of my money back. My advocate was great... respected me, listened to me, didn't judge, was absolutely fantastic and amazing. Elizabeth, Wodonga". Underneath the quote is the RDAS logo.]

11/02/2026

SAILS has kicked off for the year, with Wagga having its first session last week. We welcomed some new members and spoke about the topic of Boundaries and Friendships. We covered the importance of saying "no" when things aren't right, and being confident in setting boundaries for yourself.

09/02/2026

Check out InfoTree, our monthly stakeholder newsletter here - February 2026 Edition - https://mailchi.mp/rdas.org.au/infotree-feb2026

03/02/2026

✊ TAKE CHARGE OF CHANGE

Starting school, landing a job, or accessing a new service – life’s big moments can be daunting. But having the right information can help you take charge of change with confidence.

This month, our friends at Children and Young People with Disability Australia are recruiting 40 new young people with disability, parents and caregivers to help design practical resources for navigating life’s turns.

🎯 Their goal? To provide the disability community with the tools to thrive while helping providers make their services more inclusive.

You can join one of their four co-design groups for:

👩‍👦 Parents and caregivers of children with disability aged 0 – 7
👨‍👧 Parents and caregivers of children with disability aged 8 – 12
🧑‍🎓 Young people with disability aged 13 – 17
🧑‍⚕️ Young people with disability aged 18 – 25

Selected participants will meet online regularly from March to December 2026.

Spaces are limited, apply by 15 Feb: https://cyda.org.au/take-charge-of-change-wave-2-expressions-of-interest-now-open/

30/01/2026

Your voice matters. Your experience matters. Your leadership matters.

SPARK is a FREE 10 session women’s leadership program for women aged 18+ with disability who have previously experienced family or domestic violence.

Build confidence. Learn more about self-advocacy and human rights. Connect with other like-minded women.

WHERE: Wagga Wagga & Albury-Wodonga
WHEN: Starting February 2025

Limited places available — Expressions Of Interest in the program are reviewed as received.
To register your interest or find out more: www.rdas.org.au/SPARK or contact us on 1800 250 292 or admin@rdas.org.au

(Easy-read information also available on our website.)

28/01/2026

Calling all NSW early childhood educators!

The Disability and Inclusion Program is a NSW Government Department of Education initiative which provides funding and support to enable children with disability or additional needs in not-for-profit community preschools to participate in a quality early childhood education program on the same basis as their peers.

Applications are now open. For all further information, please go to https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/operating-an-early-childhood-education-service/grants-and-funded-programs/disability-and-inclusion-program