An ‘awful’ year of cuts and heartbreak for disabled community
By: Maddy Croad
The Press: Sunday, 8 December, 2024
Disabled people, carers and whānau took to Christchurch’s city streets in protest of an ongoing lack of consultation from the Government.
Maddy Croad
Disabled people, carers and whānau took to the streets of Christchurch to protest against the Government’s lack of consultation with the disabled community for the past year.
The rally was organised by non-profit organisation Disability Leadership Canterbury in response to the “enormous” toll disability funding changes were having on the people in Christchurch.
This is the second time this year that the disabled community has gathered at the Bridge of Remembrance to protest for their rights.
Members of the disabled community gathered at the Bridge of Remembrance and made their way down the inner city centre.
Maddy Croad
In March, former disability minister Penny Simmonds, who had since been stripped of her role, announced sudden changes to disability funding.
It left disabled people, carers and whanau unable to access funding for support such as travel, respite and physical aids like tablets and phones.
In August, disability minister Louise Upston removed Whaikaha - the Ministry of Disabled People’s funding responsibilities, handed them to the Ministry of Social Development, and downsized its staff and funding in the process.
The nationwide rollout of Enabling Good Lives - a partnership between government and the disabled community to gain more control over their lives, was also paused.
Tash Eyres’ had singing lessons for eight years to help with her intellectual disability, but the funding for the lessons was cut.
Maddy Croad
Tash Eyles went to the same singing class for eight years as an outlet for her intellectual disability. Her funding was cut earlier this year and she can no longer afford to go.
“It’s actually broken my heart. It was really important to me, I love performing, it was just part of who I am.”
She said this year had been “awful”.
Marty Vanderkley, who has spina bifida, had gone to the rally in his wheelchair so “disabled people have their voices heard”.
He said he felt uneasy about what other changes could happen in the year to come.
Marty Vanderkley says he believes all disabled people’s voices deserve to be heard.
Maddy Croad
“The disability funding cuts are having a wide impact across a whole range of people in all sorts of way and all walks of life, right from early intervention right up to the older disabled population,” he said.
Disability Leadership Canterbury chairperson Ruth Jones said many of their members did not see the point of leaving their home any more.
“This whole year has felt as if we’re living in 1974 - our whanau and support people are unable to use funding to catch a break, and members of the disabled community feel disempowered, helpless, and anxious.
“We feel like we’re being deliberately harmed and no longer have any autonomy in our own lives.”
Researchers who have supported Whaikaha, from left, Dr Catherine Leonard, Dr Lesley Campbell and John Leonard.
Maddy Croad
Disability Minister Louise Upston said during the Whaikaha review she conducted “targeted engagement” with the disability community to seek their feedback.
She said changes announced earlier this year were “necessary” to tackle problems such as overspending and unsustainable costs.
“The Government has not yet made any decisions regarding eligibility criteria for flexible funding, and this will not happen until there has been a period of consultation with the disability community.”
Dr Catherine Leonard, along with other members of research teams that support Whaikaha, attended the rally. She said there had not been enough research behind the Government’s decision-making.
Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker says she hopes the commitments Disability Minister Louise Upston has made will be upheld.
Maddy Croad
“There’s a lack of tangata Whaikaha and disabled people’s voices in those decisions. They should be a big part of making decisions for themselves,” she said.
Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker said she hoped the commitments made by Upston to have a “responsive disability support system” would be upheld next year.
“I would really like to see that that does involve disabled people in the decisions that affect us.”.
Last Updated 10/12/2024
RESOURCES
- Disability Leadership Canterbury