UnitedFuture supports the intentions and direction of the current NZ Disability Strategy, but believes that there is an unacceptable gap between policy and practice in many service areas.
It is UnitedFuture Policy to:
- Establish community-based advocacy services to ensure that every disabled person and their family have a case manager who ensures that clients have access to every support to which they are entitled;
- Support the development of “family governance groups” to oversee life-long care arrangements for individuals with disabilities;
- Commission an independent review of current audit and monitoring provisions for disability care providers;
- Promote a client-driven, rather than provider-driven, disability support sector. Better collaboration between what clients want and what services are available may require changes to funding and contracting arrangements, with the client having a stronger voice in decision-making;
- Develop standards for group housing that provide residents with a greater voice;
- Support home ownership for people with disabilities through rent-to-buy and shared equity mechanisms and the use of State Housing stock for this purpose;
- Ensure wage rates are transparent in all government contracts with providers, and that there is provision for ongoing training of the workforce;
- Ensure that appropriate respite care is available in every region.
see also UnitedFuture Policy on Special Education