Disability sector well-represented on Chch Advisory Group

8 August, 2013

Enabling Good Lives: Disability sector well-represented on Christchurch Advisory Group

Disabled people, family members and other disability sector leaders are among those on a Local Advisory Group set up to support the Enabling Good Lives demonstration in Christchurch.

Enabling Good Lives is a new way of supporting disabled people that offers greater choice and control over the supports they receive and the lives they lead. Young Christchurch people with high needs leaving school in November 2013 will be the first to benefit, though Enabling Good Lives is expected to eventually encompass a far wider group.

The Local Advisory Group includes people who have had personal experience of using flexible Individualised Funding and others who have been involved in bringing about changes for more self-directed services for disabled people. Some also bring to the table an in-depth understanding of special education and the challenges facing youth and their families.

Their considerable experience encompasses a wide cross-section of disability and support organisations including CCS Disability Action, Disabled Persons Assembly, SkillWise, the New Zealand Federation of Vocational and Support Services, Manawanui In Charge, and the Canterbury branch of the Association of Blind Citizens.

The eight members of the Enabling Good Lives Advisory Group are: Matthew Whiting, Gary Williams, John Grant, Ruth Teasdale, Richard Buchanan, Linda Leishman, Tracey Dorreen and Sally Thomas.

The three-year-long Enabling Good Lives demonstration will be led by a director with strong input from the Advisory Group. The group will also work on the demonstration’s design and oversee its work as it develops.

A National Leadership Group, which also includes disabled people, family members and other disability sector representatives, will provide advice to Ministers and senior officials. Enabling Good Lives is being supported by the Ministries of Education, Health and Social Development in collaboration with ACC.

For further information about Enabling Good Lives visit the Office for Disability Issues website www.odi.govt.nz

ENDS

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