Strong Voices

Project SEARCH in Canterbury is finding great jobs for disabled school leavers. The challenge now is to share that success with many more young people.

‍

Ninety-nine percent of educational professionals surveyed by IHC want a complete overhaul of the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS), which funds support in the classroom for high-needs students.

Finding a love match when you have an intellectual disability is not an easy business. But six people with Down syndrome have tried to do just that with a film crew watching their every move.

‍

Travel and tourism student Gavin Allpress plans to see more of the world one day and to help other disabled people travel more easily. With strong ambition and support from IHC, he is working on his life plans.

Dairy farmers are keeping a dream alive for Karen Chapman, who grew up on a dairy farm in the small Waikato settlement of Otaua and has only ever wanted to milk cows.

The Sterne family has spent much of the past 21 years wondering whatever happened to Luke. Now, thanks to genetic researchers, they have the answer.

Patrick Williams had always slept well, until that night in May last year when he couldn’t sleep at all. His parents Julie-Ann and Raymond didn’t know what the problem was.

The next time you are sitting behind a big rig on the highway, take a look at the tarpaulin covering its load. It might be a Kiwi Tarp, held together thanks to the hard work of Brittany and Anthony.

Who cares for the carers? The people who do the best job are those walking in the same shoes.

‍

Courtney Ratana has his first job at the age of 40. He started in January as a pool attendant at the Lido Aquatic Centre in Palmerston North.