Strong Voices

Capture the moment is IHC’s photography competition for New Zealanders who have an intellectual disability. This year saw 160 entries from photographers responding to the theme Nature: the living world, celebrating everything from native birds to mountain vistas.

‍

Since joining IHC in February, Chief Executive Andrew Crisp has spent time listening and learning. He has visited and talked to people with intellectual disabilities, their whānau, IHC staff, carers, funders, donors and many others.

On October 23, Chief Executive Andrew Crisp apologised on behalf of IHC to people who experienced abuse and neglect in disability services. The apology was in response to the findings of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry: 1950-1999, which IHC called for and supported.

Joel Forman is a dance teacher with Jolt Dance in Ōtautahi. He presents Jolt Dance on IHC Media, Monday mornings at 11am.

When it comes to health, Cath Jeffares has one simple question: Who’s the boss of your health? Her answer? You are!

In May around 50 people from the autism community gathered for a special hui in Hamilton to discuss a recent incident in which a young autistic girl was misidentified and handcuffed by police and taken to Waikato hospital.

In 2019, a new pathway opened for postgraduate psychology students in New Zealand – a chance to gain supervised clinical experience in the forensic disability sector through the Professional Practice Placement Psychology programme.

Six-year-old Marlee is full of sunshine. “She’s always smiling, always happy and so curious about everything,” says her mum Christina.

Eighteen-year-old Xervier Doney made waves – literally and figuratively – when he won two world titles at the 2025 Para Sailing International Championships in Sydney in February of this year.

“Having a good home really matters but so does being part of a strong community. We believe in an ‘and and’ approach,” says Lisa Mackinnon, National Lead of the Inclusive Communities team at Accessible Properties.