Advocacy occurs throughout IHC – wherever there is a need to stand up for the rights of those with intellectual disabilities.

IHC’s advocacy is successful because it works on many levels – with government, families, other organisations and within IHC. It establishes and maintains strong relationships across the disability sector and creates opportunities for joint action.

Because IHC has only a small team of advocates, it’s a matter of hearing from people about what is creating difficulties in their lives and choosing which battles to fight first. Since resources are thin, it’s critically important to work with kindred spirits in other organisations to make changes happen.

The advocacy team has a number of campaigns that support IHC’s philosophies. One is a campaign for inclusive education for children. Despite New Zealand’s education policy, some children with disabilities are still denied access to their local schools.  We are working to change that. Another campaign, called Start Strong, focuses on improving the supports for disabled children and their families.

Other issues that the advocacy team is tackling are health, employment and poverty.

Contact advocacy on 0800 422 422 or email advocacy@ihc.org.nz.