"Just knowing that others understand what our life can be like is so good.” Parent

About us

ACD is the Victorian advocacy service for children with disability and their families.

We are a not-for-profit organisation led by and for families of children with disability. For over 40 years we have supported families across Victoria and advocated for children with all types of disabilities.

We help families gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to advocate for their children. We support families with children from birth to 18 and the professionals working with them.

Our services are free and include:

Information resources
Workshops and peer support
The ACD Support Line – a telephone advocacy service

Our work means we hear directly from thousands of families every year. We amplify their voices and experiences through systemic advocacy to improve the lives of children with disability.

Where we have come from

ACD was founded in 1980 by a group of parents who came together to successfully stop the closure of their children’s respite facility.

They realised that they understood better than anyone the lack of support for children with disability and their families. They continued to meet and to advocate for change on issues such as parents staying overnight with their children in hospital, and better support for children with disability at school.

They provided information to other families and set up a parent help line. The NoticeBoard newsletter was created. Pre-internet, it became a lifeline for many families.

This group of families were trailblazers. In hoping for a better future for their children, they led the way for others to follow.

Our work today continues to reflect their work and vision.