IHC has continued serious concerns about the narrow approach of the welfare reform’s investment approach, and this being entrenched in the rewrite of Social Security legislation.
IHC says it is timely to update the NZ Disability Strategy in the context of current times, shifts in policy and practice and to align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
IHC says the limited exploration on the role of the state in supporting its most vulnerable citizens, what is required to support individuals with intellectual disability as active citizens and what is required to build responsive, capable, connected, inclusive communities will lead to limited results.
IHC says disabled children belong in their families, and families should be well supported in their role with access to what is needed for a good life for them and their children.
IHC is calling on the Government to review funding of employment, participation and inclusion services to enable easier-to-use systems, fairer processes, more flexible and individually tailored service provision, and community and service development in ways that are sustainable.
A network of Disabled Persons Organisations, including IHC, is calling on the Committee to provide guidance on inclusive education, and what this looks like in practice, to ensure an enforceable right to education.