Strong Voices

In an age of internet scams that affect everyone, it’s clear that more support and safety resources tailored for people with intellectual disabilities are needed. Hōhepa Canterbury decided to address this gap and has developed the Digi Citizens Framework – a resource designed to educate and empower digital users with intellectual disability.

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Sometimes it’s just about getting your foot in the door. Twenty-three-year-old Christchurch resident Joshua Hendriks has far surpassed that, and is now celebrating a year of employment at Bupa Parkstone Retirement Village as an activity assistant.

“I was at the opening of the Seddon Street complex and something told me it was where I was meant to be,” says Accessible Properties tenant Julie Davis.

Accessible Properties has joined forces with Tauranga City Council to bring a new community centre to Gate Pā, a suburb with nearly 225 Accessible Properties homes.

IDEA Services and Choices NZ introduced a refreshed complaints policy this year as part of an ongoing commitment to providing a quality service.

The Shed Creative Space in Paraparaumu and Ōtaki has been honoured with the Holdsworth Charitable Trust Scholarship Award, an accolade aimed at supporting art studios that nurture artists with intellectual disabilities. This prestigious award, accompanied by a $5,000 prize, recognises the exceptional talent and dedication of the studio’s artists.

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The IHC Art Awards 2024, a hallmark event celebrating the talents of artists with intellectual disabilities, has once again brought to light extraordinary works of art. The opening night, hosted at Webb’s auction house in Wellington, honoured these artists’ creativity, marking another successful year for the awards.

James Normile, a youthful, 50-year-old Ngāti Porou man from the East Coast of Aotearoa, lives with an intellectual disability and receives full-time support from staff in an IDEA Services home. He is also a founding member of the Marlborough kapa haka roopu, Ngā Whaikaha Hinengaro o Wairau.

The 2024 festival was the biggest yet, with 26 roopū from Invercargill to the Far North coming together to showcase their kapa haka talents on the stage at Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre.

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Nothing About Us Without Us is an exhibition to mark IHC’s 75th anniversary. It tells the story of IHC’s formation and evolution through remarkable photographic portraits, still-life images and archival material.