Category: Health

Disability Support Services (DSS) Consultation – Dividing up the pie

February 14, 2025

Almost a year after the Coalition Government made drastic changes to how disabled people and their families could use Individualised Funding we finally have a public consultation. The Consultation began a couple of days ago, and will continue until 24 March with a series of in-person and online workshops , with additional opportunities for individuals … More Disability Support Services (DSS) Consultation – Dividing up the pie

Disability funding restrictions and a condescending Budget …

May 31, 2024

Today, our family will have our annual needs assessment review with Taikura Trust (the Auckland Needs Assessment Service Co-ordinator – NASC). Mitchell receives funding for his ‘disability’ needs via this assessment. We also have an assessment with the Long-term supports – chronic health conditions (LTS-CHC) team to review his ‘health’ supports. Although, I have reached … More Disability funding restrictions and a condescending Budget …

Can Disabled People and families/carers work together?

April 16, 2024

It’s a month now since we heard that our current government decided to remove flexibility from disability support services. Despite protests, many heartfelt letters written to everyone from the Minister of Disability Issues to local MPs to the Prime Minister to Whaikaha, and widespread media coverage, we have not yet seen any ‘real’ answers on … More Can Disabled People and families/carers work together?

Disability Funding Crisis

March 24, 2024

I was left reeling on Monday this week, after reading a Facebook announcement by Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People. This release outlined radical restrictions to flexiblity of disability support funding- changes that were effective immediately. I was completely blindsided. Earlier this year, I had become a representative of the Family/Whanau Network, on the Whaikaha … More Disability Funding Crisis