Rights In Action

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Rights In Action Independent Advocacy Organisation for People with Disabilities and Mental Health. Propelling Opportunity & Empowerment

NDIS Changes – Have Questions? Come and Have a Chat!Are you unsure how the latest NDIS changes may affect you or someone...
15/10/2026

NDIS Changes – Have Questions? Come and Have a Chat!

Are you unsure how the latest NDIS changes may affect you or someone you support?

Join Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI) and Rights in Action (RIA) for a FREE community information and Q&A session in Cairns!

📅 Thursday 22 October 2026
🕜 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
📍 Cairns Library, 151 Abbott Street, Cairns City

QAI's NDIS Appeals lawyers, Sian Thomas and Sophie Farnsworth, will discuss recent NDIS changes, decisions and appeals, and answer your questions.

RIA advocates will also be there to provide local advocacy information and help connect community members with services.

Whether you're an NDIS participant, family member, carer or support person, we encourage you to come along, ask questions and stay informed.

Free event | All welcome!

Please share with anyone who may benefit.

Meet Tom – A Valued Member of the RIA Family! Some people become part of an organisation's story simply by showing up, c...
12/10/2026

Meet Tom – A Valued Member of the RIA Family!

Some people become part of an organisation's story simply by showing up, contributing and bringing a little joy to everyone's day. Tom is one of those people!

For approximately eight years, Tom has been volunteering with Rights in Action, becoming a familiar and much-loved face around the office.

With the ongoing support of Danny, Tom has been part of our journey through office moves, changing teams and plenty of Wednesday visits!

Over the years, Tom has continued developing his independence and confidence, from helping with everyday office tasks to delivering a cuppa to staff members. And of course, no visit would be complete without his favourite chai latte! ☕

Tom communicates without speech, but that certainly doesn't stop him from connecting with those around him, understanding conversations and being an important part of our workplace.

Today, Tom is also enjoying a new chapter of independent living — another wonderful milestone in his journey.

As we celebrate 25 years of Rights in Action, we recognise that our story is not just about advocacy. It's also about the people, relationships and connections that have helped shape who we are.

A heartfelt thank you to Tom for his contribution over the years, and to Danny for the consistent support and encouragement that has helped make these opportunities possible.

📸 Pictured left to right: Danny, Tom, and RIA advocates Natacha and Katja.

Thank you for being part of our story, Tom!

25 Years – Propelling Opportunity and Empowerment.

Connecting with community in Yarrabah A great day for RIA advocates Doreen and Jeanette at the Yarrabah Disability Servi...
29/09/2026

Connecting with community in Yarrabah

A great day for RIA advocates Doreen and Jeanette at the Yarrabah Disability Service Provider Day, meeting with community members, sharing information and talking about how independent advocacy can support people to understand their rights and have their voices heard.

Thank you to BBM 98.7FM Yarrabah, Mission Australia, Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council and everyone involved in bringing services and community together.

And a big thank you to everyone who stopped by the RIA stall for a yarn with Doreen and Jeanette!

Rights. Voice. Choice. Community.

29/09/2026

RIA out and about in Yarrabah!

It was wonderful to see our advocates Doreen and Jeanette attending the Yarrabah Expo, connecting with community and sharing information about Rights in Action and the advocacy support available.

In this video, Doreen takes the opportunity to speak about our work and the importance of ensuring people know where they can turn when they need independent advocacy, information and support to have their voice heard.

Community engagement is such an important part of what we do — particularly across the regional and remote communities we serve. Being present, building relationships and having conversations helps make advocacy more accessible to the people who may need it.

A big thank you to Doreen and Jeanette for representing RIA and to the Yarrabah community for having us.

Community Connection Across North WestLast week advocates Hagar and Tanya had the opportunity to engage with the communi...
24/09/2026

Community Connection Across North West

Last week advocates Hagar and Tanya had the opportunity to engage with the communities of Hughenden and Richmond, visiting the local library and council offices, connecting with local services, and building relationships to ensure people know where to access independent advocacy and support when they need it.

We also enjoyed meeting with Prospect Team at the RSL, who come together regularly to promote connection, support and community participation. Programs throught the RSL help to foster social inclusion, well being and community engagement for participants.

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with us. Strong communities are built through collaboration, connection and ensuring people have access to the right information and support.

FREE CHILD PROTECTION WORKSHOP – INNISFAIL Understanding the Child Protection system can be difficult, especially when y...
22/09/2026

FREE CHILD PROTECTION WORKSHOP – INNISFAIL

Understanding the Child Protection system can be difficult, especially when you’re trying to understand your rights, the process and what decisions may mean for you and your family.

Rights in Action is holding a FREE Child Protection Workshop designed to provide practical information and support to help people better understand the system and feel more confident making informed decisions.

The workshop is open to people with disability and mental health challenges, parents and carers, support workers, advocates, and anyone wanting to better understand the Child Protection system.

📅 Thursday 26 November
⏰ 12:30pm–2:00pm
📍 Community Support Centre, 13 Donald Street, Innisfail
💻 Attend face-to-face or online
☕ Tea, coffee and light refreshments provided

There is no cost to attend.
click on this link to register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/DhhY8Hca20?origin=lprLink

For more information, contact Toni at [email protected] or 1800 887 688.

Please share with your networks and anyone who may benefit from this workshop.

📣 Rights in Action Annual General Meeting 2026RIA members are invited to attend the Rights in Action Inc. Annual General...
18/09/2026

📣 Rights in Action Annual General Meeting 2026

RIA members are invited to attend the Rights in Action Inc. Annual General Meeting on:

📅 Wednesday, 7 October 2026
🕠 5:30 pm
📍 RIA Office – Cairns Boardroom
2/192 Mulgrave Road, Westcourt QLD 4869

Can't attend in person? MS Teams attendance will also be available.

This is an opportunity to come together, hear from Rights in Action and participate in our AGM as we look towards the future.

Board of Management Nominations
In accordance with the RIA Constitution, nominations for the RIA Board of Management are to come from approved financial members.

⏰ BOM and proxy nominations close 2 October 2026.
Ballots for BOM nominations will be held on the day of the AGM.

Want to attend?
Please register your attendance and let us know whether you will be joining in person or via MS Teams:
👉 Email - [email protected]

Connect • Participate • Shape Our Future

17/09/2026

25 Years of Rights in Action – Remembering Where It Began

As we celebrate 25 years of Rights in Action, we have been privileged to sit down with people who were part of our early story.

In this video, Gill Townsend reflects on the beginnings of what would become Rights in Action — from the early days of Outright Independence, to building relationships, finding accessible spaces and establishing independent advocacy in our community.

Gill’s reflections are an important reminder that independent advocacy was built in response to a very real need: people with disability needed somewhere they could turn where their voice, choices and rights came first.

Twenty-five years later, that purpose remains at the heart of what we do.

Thank you, Gill, for sharing your memories and helping us preserve an important part of Rights in Action’s history.

25 Years – Propelling Opportunity and Empowerment.

♿ CAIRNS REGION – HAVE YOUR SAYDo you have lived experience of disability, support someone with disability, or work with...
14/09/2026

♿ CAIRNS REGION – HAVE YOUR SAY

Do you have lived experience of disability, support someone with disability, or work within the disability community in the Cairns region?

Cairns Regional Council is developing its next Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2027 and is asking the community to share their experiences.

Your feedback can help identify what is working well — and where barriers still exist when accessing:

• Public spaces and facilities
• Council services and programs
• Community events
• Information and communication
• Opportunities to participate in community life

💬 Your experience matters.

Whether you are a person with disability, carer, family member, advocate, service provider or community member, this is an opportunity to help shape a more accessible and inclusive Cairns region.

👉 Complete the survey: https://bit.ly/4qNmoNW

📣 Please share this post with your Cairns networks and community groups so more people have the opportunity to have their say.

07/09/2026

📢 Important NDIS update: requesting a plan reassessment

The process for requesting a plan reassessment changed on 27 August 2026.

If your circumstances and ongoing support needs have significantly changed, there are now specific requirements to follow—including who can make the request, which form must be used and what evidence needs to be provided.

Our short video explains the key changes and what participants should know before submitting a request.

✅ Watch the video
✅ Save it for future reference
✅ Share it with an NDIS participant, nominee or family member who may benefit

For the current requirements and official request form, visit:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/changing-your-plan/types-plan-changes/what-plan-reassessment

If you are experiencing a disability-related barrier, you can also visit the Rights in Action website to learn about independent advocacy and our referral pathway.

This post provides general information, not legal advice. The NDIA determines whether a plan will be varied or reassessed. Service availability is subject to eligibility, advocacy scope and current capacity.

Address

2/192 Mulgrave Road, Westcourt
Cairns, QLD
4870

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+611800887688

Website

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