After seven decades of fighting , disabled people are still vulnerable when it comes to support ( New Zealand )
By Hilary Stace Honorary Research Associate , Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
The recent Facebook announcement by Whaikaha – the Ministry of Disabled People on changes to funding for carers and equipment modification and services has put the media spotlight , once again , on respite care for families with disabled children .
Much of the discussions since have centred on the ministry ’ s NZ $ 65 million budget overrun as well as how the media announcement was made via Facebook . But parents leading the charge against funding cuts have also spoken out about the role respite care plays in their everyday lives .
Disability funding in New Zealand includes carer support and individualised funding respite .
Last year , the government paid for the equivalent of 4.9 million support hours . During the same period , 120,000 people accessed disability support services that included equipment and vehicle and housing modifications . According to Minister for Disability
Issues Penny Simmonds , the funding reset will take entitlements back to where they were before COVID . Labour has claimed this move will take the sector back 20 years .
Whether it is four years or 20 years , the government moves highlight just how fragile the position of families is when they rely on government support for their disabled children . But the current news cycle also puts a spotlight on how far the community has come in the last seven decades .
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