Our mission

IHC advocates for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with an intellectual disability and supports them to live satisfying lives in the community.

IHC is New Zealand’s largest provider of services to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Its history reaches back over 60 years to a group of families who set up an association to lobby for a better deal for their children.

We believe people with an intellectual disability have the right:

• to be treated with respect and dignity
• to have a say in their own lives
• to live, learn, work and enjoy life and part of the community
• to have support that meets their goals and aspirations
• to be part of a family.

To make sure this happens IHC will:

• value the voice, and advocate for the rights of people with an intellectual disability
• advocate with and support families
• promote inclusion
• involve people who use our services in decisions about their lives
• recognise the importance of families in decision-making
• provide support that promotes self-development and independence
• treat people who use our services and their families with respect
• respect the cultural values of each person and their family
• promote international conventions and laws.

IHC supports the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

What we believe

IHC remains firmly committed to the inclusion of all people with intellectual disabilities in their local communities.

IHC supports people with an intellectual disability by:

• advocating for their rights
• providing a variety of housing and work options through our service-provision arms IDEA Services Limited and Timata Hou
• supporting families.
• IHC also provides a number of specialist services, such as behaviour support and training.

Read the full IHC philosophy – What we believe - Why we believe it