Support
"Support" can mean different things to different people. Support may mean having someone help you out with getting things done that you might otherwise find difficult. Or financial support may allow you to lead an independent life. Then again, it may be simply knowing that there’s someone you can call when life gets a bit tough.
In the following sections, we'll discuss the different types of support available to you if you experience disability, and provide you with some information to help you make informed decisions around your support needs.
Disability Support Services
We all know that disability affects our lives in numerous ways, and at times we may require support to help us get the most out of life. You might require support with getting dressed, personal care, tidying up the house when it gets a bit messy, or making important decisions. Thankfully, there are a range of options for people who require support to help manage the impact of their disability.
The guides below written by Le Va provide information you need to know about the range of disability support services available from the Ministry of Health. It is available in English, Samoan, Tongan, Cook Island Maori, Fijian, Niuean and Tokelauan languages.
Disability Support Services Guides
Individualised Funding
Offered by Manawanui, Iris and others, individualised funding programmes allow individuals and families impacted by disability to manage their own support by employing staff directly. This means they decide who to employ, how much to pay them, what hours they'll work, etc.
Individualised funding might not be for everyone, but it's a great solution for those it does suit.
Managed Services
If you need some help around the home, but don't feel like taking on the extra responsibilities that come with being an employer, there are plenty of other options out there to receive home and personal support, supported living and other assistance.
A number of organisations have contracts with the Ministry of Health to provide support services. This means that these organisations will send one of their employees over to help you with whatever needs doing, and you don't have to worry about anything other than making sure they do their job properly.
Financial Support
Depending on the type of disability, and the impact it has on your life, you may be eligible for additional financial support. Work and Income has a number of benefits and allowances available to people who experience disability; for both themselves and their family.
A range of non-profit organisations offer various grants to assist people with disabilities on their path to success.
For example, AUT offers a Community Disability Scholarship to promising disabled leaders, which pays for their course fees. CCS's Jubilee Trust also offers a number of grants, as does the Cerebral Palsy Society and the Wilson Home Trust.
Social Support
For many people, both disabled and non-disabled, support means having someone by your side when things get tough. Luckily, for someone who experiences disability, support is never too far away.
Online
There are plenty of websites, both in NZ and internationally, that aim to provide support for disabled people. You can read blogs, participate in forum discussions, and even have live Skype conferences with people from all over the world, sharing common experiences and issues that might be affecting you.
Support Groups
Well-established organisations like CCS Disability Action, IHC and the Cerebral Palsy Society often hold events for their members, which gives people a chance to meet up with like-minded individuals and share stories. PHAB is another group that holds regular integrated (both disabled and non-disabled) meet-ups. Diversityworks Peer Support Network integrates both online and offline support, with a mixture of online forums, Skype meetings, and real-life hangouts.
Rights and Advocacy
If you’d like support to make a suggestion or complaint relating to disability support or government policy, there are organisations that will help you with this. They include:
- Auckland Disability Law – they aim to help disabled people access legal services, and to increase awareness of disability law.
- The Office of Disability Issues – "a focal point within government on disability issues. We promote and monitor implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy, lead cross-sector policy development, and support the Minister for Disability Issues."
- The Human Rights Commission – Their vision is "The Commission works for a fair, safe and just society, where diversity is valued and human rights are respected."
- The Health and Disability Commissioner – The HDC is a champion of consumers' rights. If you have issues with your support that you’d like to address with mediation or by way of an official complaints procedure, the HDC is the place to go.