IHC Welcomes Moves Towards a New Disability System

IHC welcomes moves towards a new disability system

20 July 2017 - IHC welcomes moves towards a new disability system that puts greater choice and control over services in the hands of disabled people.

The Government has today released further information on an initiative that will mean a transformation of disability support in New Zealand.

“IHC sees this as a significant step towards truly valuing all New Zealanders and recognising their rights and responsibilities so everyone can be an active and valued participant in society,” says IHC Chief Operating Officer Janine Stewart.

IHC has always advocated for people with intellectual disabilities to have as much say and choice as possible in how they live their lives.

“As a service provider (IDEA Services) we are also very keen to find new models of working that provide more flexibility and allow us to continue to tailor services to directly meet people’s needs for natural and formal support.”

“We congratulate these steps towards giving people with disabilities a genuine voice in designing a new system that works for the people who use it,” says Janine.

“We are really pleased that the Government has involved people with disabilities throughout this process and that people with disabilities are the rightful drivers of this process.

ENDS

About IHC

IHC was founded in 1949 by a small group of parents who wanted equal treatment from the education and health systems for their children with intellectual disabilities. The IHC of today is still striving for these same rights and is committed to principles of advocating for the rights, welfare and inclusion of all people with an intellectual disability. We support people with an intellectual disability to lead satisfying lives and have a genuine place in the community.

We work to support more than 5000 people in IDEA Services that include residential care, supported living and vocational support. We also lobby and advocate for the human rights of all people with an intellectual disability at both a national and an international level. We raise money and awareness of the issues facing people with intellectual disabilities through our charitable activities, including an extensive advocacy programme, a one-to-one volunteer programme and the country’s largest specialist intellectual disability library.

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