MEDIA RELEASE FROM CCS DISABILITY ACTION
(EMARGOED UNTIL 29 JUNE 2008)

CCS Disability Action Urges Government To Support Families

CCS Disability Action kicks off their Awareness Week today. They will be urging the Government to provide the early support that all disabled children and their families need.

Many families come to CCS Disability Action in crisis because there is no automatic handover into early family support when disability has been identified, and the organisation would like to change that.

On Thursday 3 July, 11.00am, CCS Disability Action will be presenting Ministers with a summary of their ‘Early Support Framework’ and a specially produced children’s book on the steps of Parliament.

The framework document encourages Government to fund and sustain an Early Family Support system that is triggered by the first identification of disability and is easily and universally available to families – similar to existing models where the lead support role is handed over, for example, from a lead maternity carer to WellChild or Plunket.

“It’s about making sure families get on the track to a rewarding future for themselves and their children as early as possible. We want Government to commit to Early Family Support for all disabled children and their families; make Early Family Support services an urgent priority,” says CEO Viv Maidaborn.

A specially created children’s book “Our First Holiday With Maddy” will be sent to all MPs. The book is inspired by the true life stories of the families that CCS Disability Action works with and highlights the extra care and support disabled people and their families need to achieve their dreams and goals.
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