New research has identified possible factors contributing to a successful disability advocacy campaign.
The report, led by Latrobe University Associate Professor Ali Lakhani, was co-authored by Dr Di Winkler, CEO of the Summer Foundation, and Associate Professor Rwth Stuckey, Dr Ruth Mackenzie-Stewart, and Latrobe PhD candidate Deniz Senyel.
It evaluated the success of the Down to 10 Days housing campaign, which targeted slow decision making by the NDIA on funding housing and supports for people with disability. It urged policy makers to improve these wait times, which can leave people languishing in hospital or aged care settings, by getting them down to 10 days.
The report found the campaign had some success in heightening awareness of the housing issue.
Researchers conducted interviews with key stakeholders involved in the campaign and reviewed documents about it to reach a conclusion. The review reveals lessons for advocacy groups and other organisations looking to conduct campaigns like Down to 10 Days.
It found the lead organisation on the campaign created a sense of momentum and urgency internally and took advantage of the time frame, which was in the lead up to a Federal election. Advocates then “developed a coalition, led by the leading organisation, to guide, coordinate and communicate the vision towards constructive change”. It created a unifying, solutions-focused message that cut through to the targeted audience – the ‘down to 10 days’ phrase. From there came a strategic vision, the rallying of volunteers to carry the message and the spread of the message through networks and online.
Researchers found it all added up to a reasonably effective campaign.
“Our evaluation revealed that coordinated, evidence-informed advocacy, supported by coalition-building, clear messaging and political timing, can elevate policy issues and stimulate system responsiveness,” Lakhani said.
According to the researchers’ report, the campaign highlighted the delays in NDIS decisions around housing and formed “a strong coalition of over 130 organisations” around the campaign. It also created partnerships with other stakeholders throughout related sectors and heightened public and political awareness of the delays faced by people with disability, through media channels and a petition.
But the report notes “reaching a wider public audience remained challenging”.
Nevertheless, Lakhani said structured advocacy has the potential to have influence at a national level. “The evaluation demonstrates how advocacy processes can be deliberately assessed and improved, supporting the strategic use of resources in campaigns aiming to inform public opinion and policy agendas.”
He now plans to examine how advocacy evaluations can embed inclusive practices, to ensure people with lived experience shape both the campaign focus and assessment.
“We also aim to refine evaluation tools that advocacy groups can use in real time to adapt and strengthen their influence strategies,” he said.