Last chance to give feedback!
Please email the Disability Support Services Taskforce!
Kia ora,
Today is the last day to provide feedback to the Disability Support Services Taskforce. Here are three of the most common questions we’ve had:
I don’t trust them to not cut my funding if I give negative feedback - what should I do?
You can provide feedback by email hello@awhingamatua.org.nz before 5pm and we will send it anonymously to the taskforce. But we have been assured the survey is anonymous and so is your feedback. We know it’s hard to trust this government and Whaikaha - there is a video below that says on record that they will not use any information against families or share the information with other agencies.I don’t understand the questions in the survey?
The survey is difficult to understand. Many in our community have chosen to email DSS directly to give feedback instead. You can email them on DSS_submissions@msd.govt.nz
What should I say?
We have a template you can find below. But the most important thing is to share what life has been like you since the changes on 18 March and how the continuous changes have impacted you.
It is absolutely crucial that the community shares with the taskforce the impact of government changes to disability services and how it has impacted disabled, neurodivergent and medically fragile tamariki, adults, and their whānau.
We know you’re tired. We know you’ve already given feedback. But they’re insisting we provide more feedback. Please do.
More details below.
Here’s how you can respond to the consultation:
Survey
The link to the Disability Support Services survey is here: https://consultations.msd.govt.nz/dss/disability-support-services/
The questions aren’t great and it takes a while. We still encourage people to do it if they can. Otherwise, email will be an easier option.
Email
The contact email for submissions to Disability Support Services is DSS_submissions@msd.govt.nz - we have a template below if you’re not sure what to say.
Awhi
We have been told some in the community are afraid to give feedback because they fear they will be punished for doing so. If you are concerned you can share your story via Awhi by emailing hello@awhingamatua.org.nz and we will send it anonymously to DSS. But we do encourage you to email - we know there’s not a lot of trust, but we must stand by our stories.
Help - I don’t know what to say!
The most important thing you can share is your story. We encourage you to share what your life has been like since the 18 March changes and since the ongoing cuts to community support services.
Lost a carer? Lost funding for Riding for the Disabled? Lost the ability to claim something that previously helped you have respite or helped your child? Share this with Disability Support Services.
Most people in our community are now facing costs they didn’t have before the cuts and restrictions to flexibility. This government campaigned on cost-of-living issues and they continue to claim they’re reducing costs for people. We know costs are increasing for disabled people and their carers, so please share how you’ve been impacted.
Talk about the impact of these changes to your child and your family. Talk about how it has made you feel about your future, and what tangible changes it has made to your present.
I need a template!
Sure thing. Here you go:
Email: DSS_submissions@msd.govt.nz and if you like you can cut and paste below and fill it out.
To whom it may concern,
I wish to provide feedback to the Disability Support Services Taskforce on how disability support services are delivered.
[Introduce your family here if you like]
Since the restrictions to funding support and changes to the way disability support is delivered, we have struggled in the following ways:
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We have incurred the following costs due to the cuts:
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I am calling on the taskforce to recognise the impact these changes and cuts have had to the disabled community.
I am asking that flexibility for funding spend must be returned to what it was before 18 March. The removal of flexibility is an attack on the dignity of families who know what their tamariki need to thrive.
Carer support is meant to support carers and parents - this Government must recognise and value carers and apologise and build trust with the community.
The government needs to budget better for the increasing need in the disability community. If the government cannot balance their budget then they need to be transparent about this rather blaming disabled people and families)
Tamariki with low to moderate needs still need funding. Providing funding now to tamariki with lower support needs is a form of early intervention and prevention that often reduces the severity of need later.
Many disabled, medically fragile, and neurodivergent tamariki are not in mainstream schooling, refusing requests for funding allocations and supports during school hours is not fit for purpose for most of these tamariki. Return flexibility for funding to pre-18 March levels.
Disability Support Services policies need to match and enact Enabling Good Lives principles.
Thank you for your time. I do/do not request that we continue this conversation via email or phone or in person meeting.
Thank you, [name]
Please share this post far and wide. Cut and paste it and put it on social media. Share it with everyone you know. We really need to make the most of this small consultation opportunity as it may be the only one our community gets.
Arohanui, The Awhi team.