“NZDSN supports changes to the Disability Support Services Bill, and is pleased to see that disabled people, whānau, providers and the wider disability community’s voice has been heard, and resulted in meaningful improvements, despite our concerns with the rapid Select Committee process with substandard accessibility for disabled whānau,” said NZDSN CEO Debbie Hughes.
“Embedding the voice of disabled people in legislation is powerful, and Disability Support Providers will play their part as the sector moves forward together,”
“In particular, we welcome the stronger recognition of choice, safety and dignity, clearer wording about the role of families, stronger alignment with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and Enabling Good Lives principles, and confirmation that no additional expectations will be placed on families.”
“Importantly, we also welcome the commitment to ensuring disabled people have a stronger voice in future decisions, including a requirement for formal consultation with disabled people through their representative organisations on future Support Programmes,” said Debbie Hughes.
With more than 3,000 submissions on the Bill, it was encouraging to see the Select Committee process result in substantive changes in response to the concerns raised by the disability community.
There will be more detail to work through as the Bill progresses, but these are positive and important improvements.