“Put Them in an Institution. Try Again for a Normal One.”
“Put Them in an Institution. Try Again for a Normal One.”
These were the words spoken to parents of a baby born with disability in the 1970s.
That baby was real. Their parents were told to hand them over, walk away, and “try again for a normal one.” Families were separated. Children grew up in institutions, hidden from their communities, denied love, opportunity, and freedom.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that the disability rights movement began to change this story — demanding equality, dignity, and the right to live as part of community.
But as the Disability Royal Commission has shown us, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people with disability are not just history. They are still happening today.
At Advocacy WA, we believe knowledge is power. We believe people with disability, their families, and communities must be equipped to understand their rights, feel confident to speak up, and know what safe, quality, and respectful support really looks like.
That’s why we are leading Your Rights, Your Supports, Your Service — a free workshop series designed to empower participants and hold providers accountable. We’re proud to be joined by our friends at Enable WA to make this happen.
The Workshops
🌟 Your Rights, Your Supports, Your Services
Facilitated by Larissa Beeby, Community Project Manager at Advocacy WA.
This workshop is designed for people with disability, families, friends, and support workers. It provides practical tools to understand your rights and speak up when something isn’t right — helping build safer, stronger, and more respectful services.
🌟 Self Advocacy
Also led by Advocacy WA, this session supports people with disability to build the skills and confidence to advocate for themselves. From learning to say “no” to services that don’t feel right, to knowing how to ask questions and demand respect, this workshop gives participants the tools to be heard and valued.
🌟 Ensuring Safe, Quality and Collaborative Services
Facilitated by Sarah Pepper, Quality & Safeguards Manager at Enable WA.
Designed for registered NDIS providers and sole traders, this workshop explores how to embed rights-based, person-centred practice into everyday service delivery. It goes beyond ticking boxes, showing providers how to deliver genuine quality and accountability.
Why this matters
“When I hear stories like the one from the 1970s, or the voices shared in the Royal Commission, I feel the weight of them. This was someone’s life. This was someone’s family. We cannot let history repeat itself. That’s why I’m so passionate about sharing these workshops with as many people as possible. Because knowledge is power — and rights are the foundation of safety and dignity.” — Larissa Beeby
📍 Regional and online sessions available throughout 2025
🎥 Meet your hosts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fFsx0BUmYM
🎟️ Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/host/advocacy-wa
Because rights aren’t optional. They are the foundation of dignity, safety, and belonging.
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