Strong Voices

Stand Tall made the finals for the prestigious Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Public Good Award announced in May. Stand Tall is a free budgeting game that teaches young people with intellectual disability how to manage money. 

This award salutes public sector and not-for-profit organisations that prioritise technological innovations to improve the lives of the people they serve. 

Stand Tall was up against four other entries, and IHC’s Phil Clarke and InGame’ s Stephen Knightly and Melanie Langlotz had 30 minutes to convince a panel of six judges why it should top the list. 

“It’s a huge honour to be chosen as a finalist in these awards,” says Phil, Head of Library and Information Resourcing at IHC. “It’s an affirmation that the way the game was developed – through workshops and testing with the teens and young adults who will use the game – has created something that others recognise as unique and worthwhile.” 

Stand Tall is designed to empower young people with intellectual disabilities by helping them to manage their finances and have the confidence to navigate independent living. 

The impact of Stand Tall extends beyond individual users to include parents, caregivers and educators. Our game app is gathering users from around the country and getting positive feedback from schools and libraries. 

If you haven’t done it already, check out the Stand Tall website at ihc.org.nz/stand-tall to learn more about the app and share it with your friends and whānau. 

If you would like to schedule a free in-school workshop or require any further information, please contact us at ihc.events@ihc.org.nz. 

The Holdsworth Charitable Trust donated $20,000 in seed funding for Stand Tall, and $75,000 was contributed by the Ministry of Social Development. Other supporters are the Dines Family Charitable Trust, Avanti Finance, Glenn and Sonja Hawkins and SkyCity Auckland Community Trust. 

The game is available now to play online or download from Google Play or the Apple App Store. 

Above: Stand Tall testers enjoy their big gala night at the Hi-Tech Awards in Auckland, from left Lily Mae Ivatt- Oakley, Jesse Coles and Sarah Jones.