Day 110 - Auckland Disability Law - Group of lawyers work on legal challenge

Group of lawyers work on legal challenge

Auckland Disability Law: 08/07/2024

Disabled People Against Cuts Aotearoa (DPAC) are wanting to hear from people from the disability community who have been affected by Whaikaha’s recent cuts to flexible funding on 18 March 2024 and are wanting to share their stories. 

If you have made requests to an Individualised Funding Host, but your requests have been rejected, and would like legal advice on the options available to you, please contact Auckland Disability Law (ADL) on geraldine.lewis@adl.org.nz.

In our view, there appear to be valid grounds to argue that Whaikaha did not follow the law when making changes to Individualised Funding purchasing rules on 18 March. 

There are legal options to consider to potentially put this right, which we can advise you on. 

A small group of lawyers is working with ADL on the legal challenges against Whaikaha for the changes to purchasing rules. We would like to consider whether you might be a good person to be a named claimant in a High Court challenge against Whaikaha.

Next Steps

1. Please contact ADL at geraldine.lewis@adl.org.nz if you are willing to share your story and want advice on your legal options. Also please let ADL know whether you might like to be considered as a named claimant in a High Court challenge against Whaikaha.

2. If you find it hard to read through this letter, you might like to ask for help from a trusted support person, friend, or family member.

3. We are happy to answer any questions you might have. We can have a phone call or a Zoom Meeting with you. You can also email your questions to us.

4. We look forward to hearing from you.

Last Updated 15/08/2024

RESOURCES

• https://aucklanddisabilitylaw.org.nz/

Day 78 - DPAC-Zoom meeting about legal challenge

Zoom meeting about legal challenge

DPAC: 5/6/2024

Please share this invitation with your networks

DPAC is hosting a 1 hour Zoom for disabled people, whānau and representatives from disabled people's organisations, to hear from a group of lawyers who are mapping out possible avenues of legal complaint in relation to the recent cuts to flexible funding.

At our last Zoom we heard very briefly about the potential avenues of complaint being explored.

This is an opportunity for the group of lawyers to speak to us in more detail and to answer some of your questions.

Join us at 7pm on Monday 10 June. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87486059195?pwd=KVrecz0sCY89Q7Ck20EhbBN8HhJvch.1

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

Please share this invitation with your networks

Day 72 - Facebook - 250 rally at Parliament

250 Rally at Parliament

By: Disabled People Against Cuts

Facebook: 30/05/2024

Contact: dpac.nz@gmail.com

Thank you SO much to the 250-strong crowd who turned up at Parliament today to rally with us against the restrictions imposed on disability support funding by the Government and to the many more who supported at a distance. ✊❤️

A big shout out to our MC Giovanni Tiso and wonderful speakers, including Priyanca Radhakrishnan MP, Nick Ruane, Kahurangi Carter, Inclusive Greens of Aotearoa New Zealand, Emily Writes, Jade Farrar, NZEI Te Riu Roa, Disabled Persons Assembly NZ - DPA, Etta Bollinger and Amy Taylor, and to For Futures’ Sake Choir for the waiata.

A huge thank you for Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition for their organising support and solidarity and Terangi Klever and Joe Boon for the amazing photos, as well as the many orgs who helped us with some logistics and to promote the rally including Public Service Association and ActionStation.

See y’all at the next one!

#DisabledPeopleAgainstCuts #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #FlexibleFundingNow #ReverseTheCuts

Photos

Last Updated 04/06/2024

RESOURCES

• Disabled People Against Cuts Aotearoa Facebook Page

Day 68 - Auckland protest in the rain today - over 100 people

Auckland protest in the rain today - over 100 people

By: Nicola Owen and Melissa Peterson

Facebook: Sunday, 26 May 2024

There was a great disability rights protest in Auckland today despite the rain. Photos show a crowd of around 100 people with union flags and protest signs.

Paul Brown from Blind Citizens and DPACA at the Auckland protest on Sunday 26th May.

Danni from PSA at the Auckland protest on Sunday 26th.

Last Updated 28/05/2024

RESOURCES

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Day 49 - DPAC - Wellington Protest 29 May 2024

Parliamentary Rally - Disabled People Under Attack, Join Us, Fight Back

Wednesday 29 May, 2024. 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Parliament lawn, 1 Molesworth St by the Seddon Statue

Organised by Disabled People Against Cuts Aotearoa

With flexible support and liveable incomes, disabled people and those who love and care for us could be thriving right now. But this Government's attack on our rights has starved our support systems of the funding they need in order to ensure our wellbeing and value care work.

So we're calling on our disabled community, whānau, friends, service providers and allies!

With budget day around the corner, join us to urge Minister Upston to immediately reverse all the disability funding cuts, and work towards an equitable, culturally responsive approach to resourcing support and services to disabled people across Government.

Let's resist the Government's agenda of tax cuts for landlords and austerity for the rest of us! 

On the day:

- Bring banners and signs if you can - they make great photos! We will also aim to have some signs for people to hold on the day.

- There will be waiata, chants, group photos and speeches.

- Journalists and MPs are invited.

- We will update this event page with an alternative wet weather option if necessary.

Accessibility:

Let us know how we can make it easier for you to be part of this kaupapa e.g. if you'd like a hand to get there, a buddy to hang out with on the day. Email dpac.nz@gmail.com

There's flat wheelchair access, although the driveway up to Parliament has a somewhat steep gradient. Cars/taxis should be able to drop people off at the top of the driveway.

The rally will be NZSL interpreted

There is no dedicated seating, so consider bringing a chair if standing for a longer period is tricky.

If rallies aren't your thing or inaccessible to you, your voice still matters. Back us up with your favourite hashtags #ReverseTheCuts #ReturnOurRights #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #LetUsThrive #ToitūTeTiriti

We'll aim to record speeches and share them on the Disabled People Against Cuts Facebook page after the rally.

Day 44 - Auckland Protest 26 May called

Fund Disability Support - Hands Off Whaikaha!

Organised by: DPAC Aotearoa with DUNZ-Auckland and SCA: 

Where: Komititanga Square, Queen St, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, Auckland

When: Sunday 26 May 2024, 12 pm - 1.30 pm

Rally to fight back against cuts to funding flexibility for disabled people and carers and increase funding for equipment and housing modifications for disabled people. Nothing about us without us!

Speakers and more to be announced.

Last Updated 23/05/2024

RESOURCES

• Fight-the-cuts-v4-1.pdf