Practical Advocacy: Adrian’s Real-World Advice for Creating Change

When Adrian talks about advocacy, he doesn’t speak in theory. He speaks from two decades of lived experience - fighting for accessibility, fairness, and dignity as a Person with Disability. His approach hasn’t been a single lightning-bolt moment. It’s been years of persistence, shifting strategies, building relationships, and learning how to stay the course even when the process is exhausting. 

This is a summary of Adrian’s key lessons - practical, hard-earned advice for anyone considering advocacy of their own.

1. Advocacy Is a Long Game - Prepare for That

Adrian is the first to say there is no “one trick” to advocacy. It’s rarely just one email, one phone call, or one media interview. Real change comes from slow, deliberate, and sometimes frustrating persistence. 

He describes it as “sprinkling crumbs everywhere” - leaving a trace of evidence, conversations, and attempts across multiple years and platforms. When one door closed, he knocked on another. When the ABC didn’t pick up the story, he tried Channel 7. When that didn’t work, he went back to radio. He was always moving, always adjusting. 

The lesson: 

Don’t expect instant wins. Effective advocacy requires patience, flexibility, and a willingness to pivot.


2. Before You Act: Get Clear on What You Want

According to Adrian, clarity is the foundation of good advocacy. 

Ask yourself: 

• What exactly am I trying to change? 
• Is this a small change (quick win)? 
• Or a big, systemic change (long haul)? 

He uses the analogy of “low fruit” vs “high fruit.” 

A conversation with a shopkeeper about offensive language is low fruit - fast, local, and manageable. 

A fight to change state transport regulations? Very high fruit - long-term advocacy requiring strategy, stamina, and documentation. 

Clarity guides everything - your actions, who you speak to, what evidence you gather, and how long you’re willing (or able) to keep going. 

3. Build a Strategy - Fill Your ‘Tackle Box’

Adrian teaches self-advocacy workshops, and one of his most powerful analogies is the “tackle box.” 

Before you advocate, fill your tackle box with what you’ll need: 

• Information: laws, policies, regulations 
• People: mentors, allies, friends, professionals 
• Skills: communication, documentation, emotional regulation 
• Evidence: emails, transcripts, experiences, timelines 

Your strongest advocacy comes when you’re informed and prepared. Research who actually has the power to fix the issue. Sometimes it’s the frontline staff. Sometimes it’s the head of a department. Sometimes it’s the Minister. 

The more prepared you are, the stronger your voice becomes. 


4. Know When to Keep Going - and When to Protect Yourself

Advocacy is emotionally draining. Adrian says you must regularly ask: 

• How much fuel do I have left in the tank? 
• Do I care enough to keep going? 
• Is this worth the emotional cost? 
• Would it be kinder to myself to step back?
   

Some fights we choose. Others, like Adrian’s, won’t leave us alone. But self-checking is essential. Not every issue deserves years of your life. Some do. Many don’t. 

Self-awareness is as important as passion. 


5. Separate Emotion from Action

Advocacy often begins with an emotional reaction - anger, hurt, frustration, discrimination. But Adrian warns that acting from that place can backfire quickly. 

He calls it knowing “the line.” He allows himself to feel the emotion but then sets it aside so he can advocate effectively. 

His rule: 

If I cross into anger or swearing, I’ve failed myself.

Operating from calm, steady assertiveness makes you more credible and more powerful. It also keeps you safe - emotionally and strategically. 


6. Apply the ‘Reasonableness Test’

One of Adrian’s strongest tools is what he calls the reasonableness test. 

He asks himself: 

• Am I asking for something reasonable? 
• Can I show that I’ve been reasonable at every step? 
• Have I offered solutions, compromises, or alternatives? 

Being consistently reasonable, especially while escalating, gives you legitimacy. It demonstrates that you've done everything right before pushing harder. 

As Adrian says: 

“I don’t want the cake with the cream and cherry on top. I just want the cake.” 

If he ever does need to escalate to formal complaints (like the Human Rights Commission), he knows he has a clear, reasonable trail of efforts behind him.


7. Understand the Power of Systemic vs Individual Advocacy

Individual advocacy: Changing one interaction - like correcting inappropriate language from a shopkeeper. 

Systemic advocacy: Changing policies, frameworks, access, or attitudes for thousands. 

Adrian’s guiding question: 

“If I fix this for me, who else will benefit?” 

That’s what gives his advocacy purpose - and momentum. Knowing 38,000 people in NSW could benefit from the same transport change keeps him going, even when he’s exhausted. 


8. Build a Support Network - Don’t Do It Alone

Advocacy is rarely successful in isolation. 

Consult people who: 

• Can sense-check your approach 
• Understand the system 
• Keep you grounded 
• Help you evaluate strategy 
• Give emotional support 

A community creates strength, accountability, and resilience. You need people who tell you when your approach needs adjusting, and when you’re absolutely on the right track. 

9. Self-Care Isn’t Optional

Advocacy will wear you down. It is long-term, emotional, and often slow-moving. Adrian reminds us that: 

• Emotional regulation matters 
• Rest matters 
• Community support matters 
• Being able to step away when needed matters 
• Self-care is not soft - it’s part of the strategy. 

10. Remember: Every Action Creates Ripple Effects

Whether it's correcting one person, contacting a journalist, raising a concern with a government department, or filing a formal complaint - your advocacy shapes the world for those who come after you. 

As Adrian says: 

“Whatever’s happened to me, I can’t undo. But I can fix it for the next person.” 

That’s the heart of meaningful advocacy. 

Final Thoughts 

Adrian’s story reminds us that advocacy isn’t about being loud. It’s about being clear, strategic, and consistent. It’s about knowing when to push and when to pause. And it’s about holding onto the belief that change is possible - even when the process is painfully slow. 

If you’re considering advocating for yourself or your community, you don’t have to be perfect. You just need: 

• Clarity 
• Strategy 
• Support 
• Self-care 

And the persistence to leave a trail of crumbs for others to follow.