Personal Guide to Your Rights
This guide is our personal tool for using the CRPD to develop the language necessary to advocate for a life of dignity, autonomy and belonging.
Our Story,
Our Rights
Often the narrative around psychosocial disability has been told through a medical lens. We’ve been seen as a “patient” or a “case,” and our life has been defined by our mental health challenges.
This guide is our personal tool for reclaiming our voice and understanding our rights as people first.
What is the CRPD? Our North Star for Change
Although we can make a complaint to the CRPD committee, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), it is not a law we can take to court. It’s an international agreement—a treaty—that Australia has agreed to uphold, and it is a legally binding agreement for the government.
This isn’t about changing us; it’s about changing the system around us. Systemic change means transforming the rules, attitudes and structures that might be holding us back—whether that’s in mental health services, community life or government policy. It’s the slow, steady work of making sure society as a whole is built for everyone, not just some people.
Advocacy in Action
Our Guide to Open Dialogue
This shows us how to use the language of the CRPD to create open dialogue with doctors, support workers, family or friends.
| Scenario | Situation | The Advocacy Language You Could Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1. With a Doctor | We feel pressured to agree to a new medication without fully understanding the side effects. | “I appreciate you explaining this. It’s really important to me that I’m the one making the final decision (Article 12 (Legal Capacity) and Article 17 (Protecting Integrity)) about my own health and my body. To do that properly, I need to fully understand all the side effects first. Could you give me those details in a way that’s easy for me to go over (Article 21 (Accessible Information)) - maybe in writing or a clear summary? I’d like to schedule a follow-up once I’ve had a chance to process everything so we can talk it through before I give my final okay. (Article 25(d) (Free and Informed Consent)).” |
| 2. With a Support Worker | Our support worker or carer focuses only on chores and doesn't encourage a community activity we're interested in, like an art class | "Thanks for the help. I’d like to explore my right to ‘independent living and community inclusion’ under Article 19 of the CRPD. Can we shift our focus next week to helping me find and get to that art class?" |
| 3. With Family, Carer, Kin | A family member, carer or kin dismisses our perspective on a decision due to our mental health challenges. | "I know you’re trying to help, but the CRPD highlights the importance of ‘equal recognition before the law’ (Article 12). My voice and choices matter just as much as anyone else’s and I deserve to be heard." |
Dignity, Autonomy and Belonging
The articles of the CRPD are the building blocks of a truly good life. This guide is the beginning of our journey from people with mental health challenges to people whose lives are defined by more than our challenges.
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