The disability community was shocked by Whaikaha’s announcement on the 18th March and we are aware of the anguish it has caused in our community.
The NZDSA has been advocating on behalf of its members, as we believe that the changes to the purchasing guidelines restrict self-determination and do not align with the EGL approach. We are actively networking with like-minded organisations so that we can collectively address our concerns.
We believe that it’s crucial for both the government and Whaikaha to understand the impact of their recent announcement on people with Down syndrome, their parents and whānau. We need to amplify our voice to ensure that the progress achieved so far is not eroded and that the “pause” on flexibility is reversed. The NZDSA fully supports the Enabling Good Lives approach, which was developed by disabled people and whānau and has been demonstrated for a decade. We believe that it’s time for this approach to be experienced throughout New Zealand.
We will continue to advocate for our community but we need your help to amplify the voice of the Down syndrome community.
How can you help to amplify the voice of our community?
You can share your story by either writing to or visiting your local MP
The most effective thing you can do right now is to share your story. You can visit your local MP or write to your local MP Members of Parliament – New Zealand Parliament (www.parliament.nz)
Tell them that you are in their electorate and that you are impacted by these and ask for a return to flexible funding.
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The National Enabling Good Lives leadership group have provided guidelines and thoughts if you want to write a more generic letter or email. We suggest you read these guidelines and add a few of the suggested sentences in your letter.
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If you are willing to share more personal details then we have attached a template of a letter/email which you could use to write to our MP. We would suggest that you also add a sentence or two from the NEGL guidelines. Click here to access the letter template.
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Priyanka Radhakrishnan has expressed that she is keen to be sent details of individual examples. The more specific the better. She will anonymise these and use them to ask questions in the house
You can complete surveys collecting information
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Carers NZ have a form here to share for carers to share their views: Your views about Whaikaha’s new rules re how disability funding can be used Survey (surveymonkey.com)
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Awhi Ngaa Maatua are collecting responses from parents here: Whaikaha Announcement (google.com)
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ATANZ (Assistive Technology Alliance NZ) are collecting feedback from people who rely on assistive technology for communication here: Whaikaha EMS announcement (google.com)
You can sign a petition
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Sign the We Care petition calling for a home in government and better support for family carers. Sign the petition
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This petition on change.org has over 28,000 signatures already and if you haven’t already, do add your name to it: Petition · Reevaluate the Recent Changes to Whaikaha Purchasing Guidelines for Individualised Funding (Change.org)
You can attend local meetings
These meetings will be advertised on a range of Facebook posts.
Whaikaha updates about changes to Purchasing Rules and EMS
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People has updated its webpage about the changes to Purchasing Rules and Equipment Modification Services (EMS), including NZSL and accessible formats, and answers to questions about transport, family carers, and EMS.
The Key messages for the sector document have been added to the Q&As webpage
In addition
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There is also an online version of the Key messages for the sector document
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The Q&As webpage has been restructured, and the messaging is now more in line with the key messages document
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There is now a new specific Purchasing Rules questions subpage so very specific purchasing rules questions
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Easy Read (PDF): Whaikaha announcement of funding changes – 18 March Easy Read (PDF)
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