Submissions

IHC says the Bill is an opportunity to promote community wellbeing that is inclusive and takes into account the rights, needs and views of people with intellectual disability and their families.

The children's sector, including IHC, want to make sure children with disability are visible, counted and included within the community of all children to improve children's wellbeing and reduce child poverty.

IHC supports the development and implementation of a Child Wellbeing Strategy but says it needs to be broad and inclusive, based on children’s rights and clearly linked to other government initiatives affecting children with disabilities.

IHC says the Bill fails to balance the fundamental principles which underpin it; sanctity of life, respect for human dignity and autonomy, and protection of the vulnerable.

IHC comments on the lack of systems, procedures and supports by which people with intellectual disabilities can realise and enforce their rights; changes to the Disability Support System; and the realisation of certain rights for people with intellectual disabilities.

IHC says the government needs to increase access to health services and improve outcomes for disabled people with a specific focus on people with intellectual disability.

IHC, CCS Disability Action and Disabled Persons Assembly say the government needs to make sure that domestic violence protections and responses are accessible, and work, for disabled people.

IHC says the wellbeing and outcomes for disabled children, young people and their families depends on timely access to flexible, integrated, timely and quality services and supports, including access to universal services.

IHC has continued serious concerns about the narrow approach of the welfare reform’s investment approach, and this being entrenched in the rewrite of Social Security legislation.

IHC says it is timely to update the NZ Disability Strategy in the context of current times, shifts in policy and practice and to align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.