Source: Ministry of Social Development
People in the disability community are invited to have their say in a six-week consultation that begins this week and runs until 24 March 2025.
Disability Support Services was transferred from the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) last year, after an Independent Review recommended changes to stabilise the system.
The head of Disability Support Services at MSD, Chris Bunny, says feedback is being sought on specific proposals for change.
“We are seeking feedback on:
- how needs are assessed, and decisions made on how support is allocated
- options for changes to flexible funding.
“My message to the disability community is I know the changes of last year have been difficult for some people, and this year we want to make progress on strengthening the disability support system for disabled people, their whānau and carers.
“We are working to stabilise disability support services so they are more fair, consistent, transparent and sustainable.
“This is a major round of consultation which builds on what the disabled community told us in a survey late last year.
“There’s lots of different ways people can have their say.
“In-person workshops will be held in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton, Invercargill, Lower Hutt, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Porirua, Rotorua, Wellington, and Whangarei.
In addition, people can attend an online workshop, make a written or video submission, or complete an online survey. There are also DIY resources for people or organisations who want to host their own workshops to support their submissions.
“Please register to book your place for a workshop in-person or online. You can do that at the Disability Support Services website, disabilitysupport.govt.nz
“Your feedback will help Government to make decisions to stabilise services, before considering further work to strengthen those supports,” says Mr Bunny.
Editor’s notes
What is this consultation about?
The consultation is focused on essential disability support people receive after an assessment from a Needs Assessment Service Coordination provider, or an Enabling Good Lives site.
While everyone is welcome to participate, Disability Support Services especially want to hear from people receiving these services and whānau, carers, and advocates.
The changes under discussion do not apply to people who only receive supports from other agencies, such as ACC, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Transport, or Work and Income.
What is being proposed?
Needs assessments
- Improving how the tool reflects the diversity of disability
- Proposals that the needs of family/whānau become part of the assessment
- Making sure services continue to meet their needs – how often should supports be reviewed or reassessed?
- Proposal that NASCs identify supports that are available through other agencies and provide guidance on how these can be accessed
Flexible Funding – two options
- Option 1 – Linking flexible funding to the person’s plan, with oversight of how it is used
- Option 2 – Adjust current lists of what can and can’t be funded using flexible funding.
There are also proposals to introduce criteria for receiving flexible funding, and questions on what these should be.
How do people register for workshops?
Can media attend workshops or film them?
Community consultation will begin with a presentation followed by work in smaller groups. To protect the privacy of those attending, these events are closed to media, unless reporters are there in a personal capacity to take part in the consultation. However , you may wish to talk to people outside the venue if you would like to.
Is the consultation going to be accessible?
Yes, alternate formats are available of the discussion document summary, including Easy Read, Braille, Audio, Large Print and New Zealand Sign Language. There are also translations in te reo Māori, Samoan, and Tongan.
We will also have sign language interpreters at our in-person and online workshops.
Venues for our in-person workshops have been selected because they are accessible, including access points, toilets, and the working spaces themselves.
