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Kōrero

May 26, 2022

It’s hard to avoid discussions about the cost of living now. The Consumer Price Index has just hit its highest level in three decades – it’s costing more and more to fill up our supermarket trolleys, our cars and, quite simply, our family members.

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Poppy movie goes wider

December 1, 2021

The makers of Poppy have created a version of the movie with captions for people with hearing impairments, and can make the film available for cinemas to have private captioned screenings, says producer Robin Laing. After a successful 14-week run in New Zealand cinemas, Poppy is moving out into the wider world thanks to a range of international festival invitations. The film was selected for CinefestOz in Western Australia and screened in October at La Femme International, a Los Angeles-based festival for women filmmakers, and at Cinemagic Belfast, a festival of films for young people.

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Kōrero

December 1, 2021

The Government has announced the very welcome news that it will establish a new standalone Ministry for Disabled People.

This marks a fundamental change in the way people are viewed and valued as equal citizens. IHC has pushed for this change and for the Government to see individuals’ lives in their entirety – their income, support, housing, transport and more – rather than defining people by health need and diagnosis.

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Jeremy’s life choices open up

July 20, 2021

The small Rangitīkei town of Hunterville doesn’t have a lot on offer for a young man at weekends.

So it’s understandable if Jeremy Hill-Hayer decides to stay on in Palmerston North to go to a disco rather than travel home to see his parents.

Life has changed a lot for Jeremy since he moved into an IDEA Services residence in Palmerston North a year ago and signed up with a Choices NZ life coach.

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Michael honoured for a lifetime of sporting achievement

July 20, 2021

Michael Holdsworth was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, making him the first person with Down syndrome to receive this honour.

He was awarded the MZNM for his services to Special Olympics and it marks his 32 years as an athlete leader, advocate and participant in two World Games and his service to the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association.

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Human rights experts hear from parents

July 20, 2021

IHC now has some powerful support in its long-running legal battle to protect disabled children’s rights to a proper education in mainstream schools.

The Human Rights Review Tribunal and IHC are collecting evidence about the experiences of disabled children in the education system from parents, educators and community groups, ahead of a hearing in that tribunal.

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Young artists seize their chance

July 20, 2021

Eight young artists have their eyes on a new prize in the IHC Art Awards 2021.

The Youth Award is a new category in the IHC Art Awards this year, for artists aged between 13 and 17 years. When entries closed on 31 May, eight of the 356 artists entering were in the Youth Award category. The winner of this award stands to win $1500.

These artists are also eligible for the overall award of $5000 and the L’affare People’s Choice Award of $2000.

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‘Poppy’ inspires young movie-goers

July 20, 2021

'Poppy' – starring Libby Hunsdale and Ari Boyland 
Writer and director – Linda Niccol

 

'Poppy' reached the big screen in May and struck a chord with young women refusing to be defined by their disabilities. Ella Davenport from Lower Hutt and Ava Saba from Gladstone reviewed the movie. 

 

By Ella Davenport (with some help from mum) 


I went to see the movie 'Poppy' with my mum. It’s a story about Poppy’s life. She lives with her older brother and she pretty much takes care of the house. 

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Tayla shares her awesome life

July 20, 2021

Tayla Sloot sees a lot from her wheelchair. And she knows that her disability is a barrier that prevents people getting to know her. 

But worse than that, Tayla knows her wheelchair can be frightening for young children. She’s seen young children hide behind their parents, too scared to approach her. 

Tayla, 25, thinks this is because children have limited awareness of those who have disabilities, and her solution has been to write a book about her life to reach out to school children. 

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Both doses done for most in services

July 20, 2021

Most IDEA Services frontline support workers have now received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination.

IDEA Services has been busy ensuring staff and the people we support have the crucial information they need about the vaccination, communicating directly with the Ministry of Health and, at a local level, district health boards.

“We’ve been engaging with the newly appointed Disability Equity Leads, whose job it is to coordinate vaccinations for the disability sector,” says IDEA Services Director of Nursing Prudence Lennox.

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Banks continue their disappearing act

July 20, 2021

Banks have put even more distance between them and their more vulnerable customers by ending cheques.

This leaves disabled people wondering how they can pay bills and withdraw money as bank branches continue to close in cities and towns all over New Zealand.

Cheques have now been consigned to history at ANZ, Westpac, BNZ, Kiwibank, TSB, SBS, Rabobank and The Co-operative Bank, and ASB finishes with cheques on 27 August. Some retailers are also moving away from cash payments.

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