Speaker by Various Artists

Thank you Tom. It seems parenting responsibility never ends when there is a disabled child, however old.

We must think anew. We must act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves.”

good quote I doubt our current govt will do anything like this tho'
They'll just rebrand old ideas as new. Its all they are capable of doing.

Good issue to put up Tom
I did some data analysis a few years back for the (then) Retirement Commission, and post-census disability survey data highlighted quite a gap between the rate of home ownership for disabled people (as you say, we cover a very broad range of impairments) and non-disabled people. Unsurprisingly the rate was much lower for disabled people, and was falling.
Fast forward to the present day, and home-ownership is likely to be very small indeed, and being able to live affordably in secure accessible long-term rental accommodation is a very much sought after end that so many disabled people seem a long way away from.
There has been a long period of buck-shoving/problem shoving by government housing departments to community entities such as IHC. Said buck-shovers have had no appetite for providing accessible accommodation, and in doing so have provided what seems to be contempt for New Zealand's largest minority (24%+).
We deserve better, all of us.

It seems relevant to point out that the second round of consultations on the draft disability strategy starts soon, details here:
http://jointheconversation.nz/workshops/

post-census disability survey data

....and that census would not have included data from my man and me. We refused to participate as we believe that citizenship...rights and responsibilities...is a two way street.

What is the point of compulsorily acquired data if the Gummint is either not going to use it for the general good....or even worse...use data collected against the target group?

Now, we have all known about the Baby Boomer Bump for some time. Those pesky Old People just keep on living longer and sucking up more valuable resources. And, and they are demanding to stay in their own homes as they age and require more care. When we have all those nice retirement villages they could live in, and if they need lots of care, they can transition to a nice care unit. They won't mind at all.

Of course, if they do move into a care facility, their assets will be used (eventually) to pay for their care. Less for the kids to inherit....but hey...who wants to own their own home anyway?

Same with (non-ACC) disabled home owners. If they are forced into residential care and they have assets, their assets will be commandeered by the Gummint to pay for that care. The "forcing" part comes in when The Powers That Be (MOH:DSS funded NASCs) declare that your care needs are so high that they cannot possibly be managed in your own home. (Even if a spouse/partner/parent has managed for years to provide that care, unfunded.)

This rule does not apply to ACC disabled....as they are special and are entitled to care and have the right to choose where that care is provided.

We live most of the time in a 7 metre Bus, kitted out for basic living with a cheap second hand hoist down the back to get the wheelchair in. This is way cheaper than if we lived full time in the totally accessible house we built 18 years ago....that we can no longer afford to live in.

And we're happy as a pair of pigs rolling in poo.

What is the point of compulsorily acquired data if the Gummint is either not going to use it for the general good....or even worse...use data collected against the target group?

Wait until you see the new innovations Australia has introduced. It's being done online and there's not even the pretence of privacy any more. Your data will be collected, it will be used for anything the government thinks is a good idea, and it will be secured as well as the ABS can afford (with budget cuts for all!). I'm sure NZ will be watching with interest.

it will be used for anything the government thinks is a good idea,

Judging by the calibre of government on both sides of the Tasman, we're in the shit then.

Abandon ye all hope.

Back to 'housing for the disabled'...this is not hard. From a purely practical standpoint building or modifying a residential structure for mobility access is easy, and for a new build, cheaper than a 'conventional' home.

I cannot opine with experience about housing for those with learning or behavioural impairments....though I would imagine that ensuring the same standard of safety features one would expect in residences where very young children would be living would be a start....

As for IHC....they're doing alright...

As for IHC….they’re doing alright…

what happened between 2010 and 2011 to change IHC's income so significantly? Or is it a typo?

what happened between 2010 and 2011 to change IHC’s income so significantly? Or is it a typo?

I have no idea...(and speaking of which, if you want to view some truly eyewatering amounts of Gummint funding, check out IHC's provider arm's page)

Someone out there in PA land might be able shed some light...

Very democratic article! I hope your friend will be all right, and the government will be engaged in it! Thanks and good luck! Hold on!