Poorest children missing out on disability support because of red tape – Human Rights Commission

The Human Rights Commission says children from our poorest communities are not getting the disability support they are legally entitled to because of red tape.

The recent survey by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and its associates of 1000 households in Otara, South Auckland looked at the prevalence of children's disabilities and chronic illnesses in the suburb and the extent to which eligible families are accessing the child disability allowance (CDA).

“It’s disturbing that only a very small proportion of Otara families who were possibly eligible for the allowance were receiving it, most didn’t know about it or had found the application process too difficult,” said Mr Gibson.

“Government must better understand diverse cultural approaches to disability, particularly Pasifika and to respond appropriately with actions led by Pasifika communities.”

“We agree with CPAG’s call for better promotion, simplification and increased funding: this is a communications issue that must be addressed.”

“We are calling on Government to urgently look at what is being done to inform vulnerable families about what they are entitled to.”

The Disability Action Plan presents priorities set by Government ministers to advance implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the New Zealand Disability Strategy: “One of the pillars of the Disability Action Plan is people with disabilities having choice and control over their support services,” said Mr Gibson.

“If this is to be made real, the cultural dimension regarding disability and responses to individuals’ poverty (particularly child poverty) needs to be built into how agencies work under this Action Plan.”

ENDS

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