The Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service of South Australia (DACSSA) is an incorporated, not for profit organisation that assists individuals with a disability to resolve
disability­related grievances and complaints. DACSSA also advocates for changes to legislation, policies or bureaucratic procedures that create or exacerbate issues for people with a disability. A key aspect of its philosophy is the importance of representing the expressed wishes of a client.

Founded in 1991 as the Disability Complaints Service, the organisation is membership based and currently has 186 members. It is overseen by an elected management committee with significant representation of people with lived experience of a disability. It currently receives all of its funds from the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FHaCSIA).

Recognising the need to ensure that DACSSA continues to offer relevant, high quality services to people with a disability, their families and carers, DACSSA's Management Committee initiated a strategic thinking process in the latter half of 2012, the aim being to set an agreed direction and high level goals that would shape and focus DACSSA's activities for the next three to five years. In keeping with DACSSA's philosophy the process was highly inclusive, with all DACSSA members and staff being invited to contribute at various stages.

This report provides an outline of the strategic framework that has been developed as a result of this process, with a summary of key issues that were taken into account, and specific actions that will be initiated between 2013 and 2015.

click here to download the Strategic Directions 2013-2017 (PDF 5.5MB)