STAR works with people with intellectual disability and their families to speak up for their rights, change community attitudes, and fix the laws that stop them from living fully inclusive lives of their own choosing.
We share information, skills and build capacity with people with intellectual disabilities, their families and support networks.
We advocate for change using evidence-based research, case studies, policy proposals and presenting the case for change to decision makers, including government, agencies and service providers.
We share the stories of real people from our individual advocacy to highlight the barriers that people with intellectual disability experience, and their successes and contribution to society.
We encourage champions for change to help us change the views of those who don’t realise that discrimination and exclusion are making our communities weaker.
By being a voice for people with intellectual disability and their families, STAR will campaign for change to laws, policies and practices that give people with an intellectual disability and their families the right to live their lives the way they want to.
We will support people with intellectual disability and their families to be effective advocates through individual advocacy and support.
To do this, we need to be a resilient and effective organisation with a strong financial base, an engaged and active membership and Committee of Management, and ensure we maintain good relationships and a reputable public profile with our partners and key stakeholders.
These are the areas we will focus on for the next few years
Parents with an intellectual disability: STAR will support, inform, enable, encourage and assist parents with intellectual disability and their children to have the same rights as anyone else and systematically create changes in policy and practice. If you need help with this issue, please click here to make contact.
Inclusive education: STAR will support the rights of children with intellectual disability to participate and be welcomed into inclusive mainstream schooling. If you need help, click here for more information.
Empowering people: STAR recognises the expertise of people experiencing inequality due to their disability and will use their lived experience to challenge the laws and policies that prevent them from living the life they want to live. Got a story to share? Click here to get in touch.
Teamwork: We want to build a team of skilled advocates who support people to speak up for their rights and be powerful change agents. If you would like to know more about volunteering with STAR, click here for more information.
STAR members: Our membership makes us strong. That’s why we will refresh and rebuild STAR’s membership base and volunteers. If you would like to become a member or volunteers, please click here for more information.
Our organisation: STAR is a resilient and vibrant organisation that is visible and present in our community and a thought leader in the debates around the rights and interests of people with intellectual disability and their families.
If you would like to know more about our work, partner with us in our campaigns, or financially support us, please click here for how you can help.
You can read our current Strategic Plan here