Rights In Action

30/08/2026

RIA ON THE ROAD | ID & ESSENTIALS EXPO ROADSHOW

What a fantastic few days connecting with communities across Burdekin, Hinchinbrook, Charters Towers and Townsville as part of the 2026 ID & Essentials Expo Roadshow.

Rights in Action was proud to participate across the Roadshow, sharing information about free, independent advocacy for people with disability and people experiencing mental health challenges.

🎤 One of our highlights was having one of our advocates Hagar invited to jump on the microphone for a three-minute chat with our local radio 4K1G about what RIA does and what independent advocacy actually means — helping people understand that an independent advocate stands alongside the person, supports them to understand their rights and choices, and helps ensure their voice is heard.

And while our advocates were busy talking advocacy, our wonderful RIA advocates were all holding the fort at the RIA information stall, meeting community members and sharing information about our services.

A big thank you to Workforce Australia Local Jobs Townsville, in partnership with the Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism, for bringing organisations together and creating opportunities for regional communities to connect directly with essential services and supports.

For RIA, this is what community engagement is all about — being visible, being accessible and taking independent advocacy into the communities we serve.

Propelling Opportunity & Empowerment.

27/08/2026

HAVE YOUR SAY – HELP SHAPE OUR NEW SELF-ADVOCACY TOOLKITS

Rights in Action is developing a series of practical self-advocacy resources — and we want to hear from you!

We’re holding three FREE online feedback sessions where you can share your experiences, ideas and insights to help us create resources that are practical, accessible and useful for our community.

📌 CHILD PROTECTION FEEDBACK SESSION
📅 Monday 31 August 2026
⏰ 10am – 11am
Help shape resources to support people to better understand the Child Protection system and their rights.

📌 HUMAN RIGHTS COMPLAINTS FEEDBACK SESSION
📅 Tuesday 1 September 2026
⏰ 10am – 11am
Help us develop a practical toolkit to support people to understand their human rights, make complaints and navigate the complaints process with confidence.

📌 NAVIGATING PROVIDER DISPUTES FEEDBACK SESSION
📅 Thursday 3 September 2026
⏰ 10am – 11am
Explore our new Navigating Provider Disputes Toolkit and help us develop a resource that supports people to understand, navigate and resolve provider disputes.

💻 All sessions are online via Microsoft Teams.

Who should get involved?

💜 People with disability
💜 Parents and carers
💜 Support workers and advocates
💜 Anyone wanting to better understand these systems and processes

Your experience matters. Your feedback can help us create resources that work for the people who need them.

📲 Scan the QR code on the relevant flyer to register.

📧 [email protected]
📞 1800 887 688

Please share with your networks and help us spread the word!

26/08/2026

💜 Rights in Action at the 2026 DSC NDIS Conference

RIA Advocates Doreen from Cairns and Sarah from Townsville recently travelled to Brisbane to represent Rights in Action at the annual DSC NDIS Conference.

At a time of significant change across the NDIS, the conference provided an important opportunity to hear directly from people with disability, advocates, service providers, government representatives and peak bodies about the future of the Scheme.

Across two days, Doreen and Sarah attended discussions covering safeguarding, cultural safety, NDIS access, workforce burnout, Foundational Supports, Thriving Kids, governance and the importance of ensuring people with disability remain at the centre of reform.

A powerful theme throughout the conference was the need to rebuild confidence and trust in the NDIS, challenge negative narratives and bring the conversation back to what matters most — the rights, dignity, choice and voice of people with disability.

A special highlight was meeting Senator Jordon Steele-John and having the opportunity to speak with him about independent disability advocacy across North Queensland and thank him for his continued work within the disability community.

Doreen and Sarah have returned to North Queensland with new knowledge, valuable perspectives and plenty to share with the RIA team as we continue supporting people with disability through a changing NDIS landscape.

💜 Independent advocacy. Human rights. Making sure people's voices are heard.

16/08/2026

Your experience matters.

Rights in Action is developing practical self-advocacy resources to help people better understand and navigate the Child Protection system — and we want the community to help shape them.

Join our online feedback session and share your perspective.

📅 Monday 31 August 2026
⏰ 10am–11am
💻 Microsoft Teams

Open to people with disability, parents and carers, support workers, advocates and anyone wanting to better understand the Child Protection system and their rights.

Register to have your say.

15/08/2026

A great day of connection, learning and team building at our recent Rights in Action Operations Planning Day. 💜

We were delighted to welcome PACT and celebrate the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding, strengthening our partnership and shared commitment to the people and communities we support.

We were also privileged to hear from Rights in Action Life Member Janet Corcoran, who shared her journey from being a client of Rights in Action to becoming a Board member — a wonderful reminder of the power of advocacy, opportunity and empowerment.

A fantastic day bringing our team together, reflecting on our practice and looking ahead to the future.

06/08/2026

💜 Community Connection

At Rights in Action, advocacy is about more than navigating systems—it's about building relationships, listening, and walking alongside people as they pursue their goals.

Today, our Advocate Hagar enjoyed spending time with Kevin and Deann, together with their Support Coordinator, Michael, and Support Worker, Taylor.

It was also a lovely opportunity to celebrate Deann's birthday with flowers, chocolates and plenty of smiles. 🎂💐

Every conversation helps build trust, strengthen connections, and remind people that they don't have to navigate challenges alone.

Whether you're a person with disability, someone experiencing mental health challenges, a family member, carer, or Support Coordinator, Rights in Action is here to help.

📞 Contact us today or submit a referral through our website.

Together, we're propelling opportunity and empowerment across North Queensland. 💜

13/07/2026

🖤💛❤️ **Rights in Action on BBM 98.7FM!** 💙🤍💚

We're proud to share that **Geoff Uta**, Advocate from **Rights in Action**, joined **Bala Matty Live** on the BBM 98.7FM airwaves during the **Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council 2026 NAIDOC Celebrations**.

The interview was a great opportunity to talk about the importance of independent advocacy and how Rights in Action supports people with disability to understand their rights, have their voices heard, and make informed decisions.

Rights in Action provides **free, independent advocacy** across a large region of North Queensland, including:
📍 Cairns
📍 Townsville
📍 Palm Island
📍 Yarrabah
📍 Atherton
📍 Mareeba
📍 Cassowary Coast
📍 Carpentaria
📍 Mackay
📍 Mount Isa
…and many surrounding communities.

Thank you to **BBM 98.7FM** and **Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council** for the opportunity to connect with community and celebrate this year's NAIDOC celebrations.

🎧 Stay tuned to **BBM 98.7FM** for more deadly yarns!

Uncle Geoff Uta from Rights In Action joins Bala Matty Live on the BBM airwaves from Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council - YASC 2026 NAIDOC Celebrations!

Rights In Action provides advocacy assistance for people who live in the geographical area of Cairns and Townsville including Palm Island, north to Cassowary Coast and Carpentaria, Yarrabah, Atherton, Mareeba, South to Mackay and west to Mount Isa.

Stay tuned to BBM 98.7FM for more deadly yarns 🖤💛❤️💙🤍💚

10/07/2026

"Today is not just another event, today is a turning point." 📢

At our Official Launch Event, Rights In Action CEO Raoul shared a raw look at the systemic failures that have impacted regional disability support for too long.

For far too long, people with disabilities and those experiencing mental health challenges, especially in regional, remote, and rural communities like ours, have had to fight to be heard, to be understood, and to access basic supports.

Systems simply weren't designed with them at the center. Behind every policy gap, every delay, and every closed door are real people.

Thanks to our VIP speakers and supporters, we are turning a shared idea into a reality through the North Queensland Disability Alliance (NQDA).

This is the change our region has been waiting for 🙏

Rights In Action were honoured to host this event, now reach out to get involved today! 📧 [email protected] | [email protected]

09/07/2026

A cage is a cage, whether it's in a group home, a hospital, or an aged-care facility. 🛑

Did you know that the use of "restrictive practices", like physical restraint, seclusion, or chemical sedation, is currently regulated under completely different rules depending on where you live in Queensland?

This lack of uniform regulation is failing our most vulnerable.

Recent data showed over 1.4 million unauthorized uses of restrictive practices against NDIS participants nationally.

We are backing the Public Advocate's 2026 push to create a statutory "Senior Practitioner" in Queensland.

We need one independent authority with the power to oversee, regulate, and ultimately eliminate the traumatic use of restraints across all sectors; disability, health, and aged care.

Distress is an unmet need, not a behaviour to be suppressed.

If you or someone you care about is being subjected to restrictive practices, reach out by visiting our website: https://rightsinaction.org.au or calling us on 1800 887 688

For more resources, check out our free QCAT toolkit and quick webinar. It is a simple guide to guardianship, administration, and decision-making, for people with disabilities, their families, and the people who support them: https://rightsinaction.org.au/module-three-qcat-public/

08/07/2026

"That shift from consultation to leadership is where real change begins." 🎥

Watch Rights In Action CEO Raoul explain the core philosophy behind the NQDA at our Official Launch Event.

Key takeaways on what makes the NQDA truly different:

• More Than a Collaboration: The NQDA is a commitment to ensuring that those most impacted by these systems are the ones shaping them.

• Lived Experience at the Center: People with disabilities and mental health challenges aren't just sideline advisors for co-design projects, they are the central decision-makers.

• Governed by the Community: The alliance is governed, led, and held accountable by people with lived experience because they know best what needs to change.

True progress happens when we empower the right leaders 🙏

Rights In Action were honoured to host this event, now reach out to get involved today! ✉️ [email protected] | [email protected]