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Disability Legal Support Service

Legal Aid NSW specialist service.

The Disability Legal Support Service (DLSS) at Legal Aid NSW provides accessible, trauma-informed legal assistance to people with disabilities, their families, and carers. We offer a client-centred approach, with a focus on inclusivity, flexibility, and collaboration, ensuring that clients' unique needs are met.

We assist people with disabilities, including those facing multiple civil legal issues. Our service is tailored for individuals with accessibility needs, communication challenges, and those who require flexible or intensive support. We prioritise clients from disadvantaged groups, such as First Nations communities, multicultural groups, or those in closed environments like prisons.

The DLSS can assist individuals who may possess a disability including but not limited to:

  • sensory and speech
  • cognitive/intellectual
  • mental health condition
  • physical impairment
  • vision impairment. 

The DLSS offers trauma-informed legal support, integrating caseworkers and lawyers to provide holistic, person-centred services. We help clients navigate legal issues such as NDIS access, disability discrimination, housing, and healthcare, ensuring voices are heard and needs are met every step of the way.

Adjustments the DLSS can accommodate include but are not limited to:

  • flexible appointment times
  • longer appointment/s
  • shorter appointment/s and/or breaks
  • suitable communication
  • support persons
  • caseworker support
  • communication preferences for SMS, phone, email, post (including reminders)
  • physical access
  • phone or video appointment
  • materials in plain language, easy read and/or using images
  • large print documents
  • materials accessible by screen reader
  • face-to-face appointments
  • captioning
  • Auslan interpreting
  • advice in writing.

If you have a legal question, start with our team at LawAccess NSW. They can give you legal information, help you plan your next step and connect you with services that can help you.

Click on the ‘Chat with us’ button or call 1300 888 529 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).