News and media

IHC is calling on the Government to stop leaving intellectually disabled people behind in health reforms.

IHC says the cost-of-living crisis is worsening an already serious situation for intellectually disabled New Zealanders and their families, many of whom have faced financial hardship for years.

A new IHC report reveals that New Zealanders with an intellectual disability are twice as likely to live in hardship or severe hardship compared to the rest of the population.

IHC is encouraged by the Government’s commitment to learning support with a promised injection of $644 million announced by Finance Minister, Nicola Willis in today’s Budget.

Repealing the Plain Language Act 2022 would mark a major step backwards for people with intellectual disability to easily access important information, says IHC.

Disability advocates, including IHC and New Zealand Down Syndrome Association, are calling on the New Zealand Government to reverse a deeply discriminatory immigration policy that targets children with intellectual disabilities.

New Government figures released today show further evidence of widespread disadvantage for people with intellectual disability.

Funded annual health checks for people with intellectual disability could prevent more than 100 deaths a year and significantly reduce hospital admissions, saving $16.5 million annually – more than enough to cover the $13 million cost of the checks themselves.

IHC welcomed its new IHC Group Chief Executive Andrew Crisp at a pōwhiri in Wellington on Monday morning.

IHC is urging policymakers, educators and the community to come together to address the root causes of poverty and ensure that no child is left behind, including children with an intellectual disability.