Published 06 December 2024
A huge thank you to the 1,550 in our disability community who completed the Disability Support Services survey. They heard your thoughts loud and clear!
Quick catch up if you missed the new, the team at Disability Support Services (part of Ministry of Social Development and the new service providers since taking this on from Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled people in August) put out a survey. They wanted to understand what was on top for our community right now.
Now they've taken a look at everything that was submitted and grouped all your feedback into 'themes'. This makes it easier to share with others not in our community what we care about most. It also makes it easier to find out what the main things are we want fast action on.
"You gave it to us straight. And we're glad that you did!" said Deputy Chief Executive of Disability Support Services Chris Bunny.
So here's what you said:
- There needs to be more information shared between different government ministries and agencies (like Work and Income, Ministry of Education etc).
- We need more accessible information to understand changes, know what services are available where, and to know how we should make our way through the system.
- People get very different kinds of services depending on where they live, which doesn't seem fair.
- We need to have flexible funding continue. It's the best way to enable us to live good lives.
- We need more flexibility in other services too, other agencies should be more adaptable for situational and disability needs.
- The assessment and review process should show the diversity of people.
- This process should value the role that support people and carers play in our community.
There's more to come!
In a few weeks, we'll find out more about how they'll take these themes to our community to talk about more on.
Disability Support Services - Community Update