FAQs and Quick Answers

A wide range of services and supports are available to help people with intellectual disabilities live fulfilling and independent lives. These services are often tailored to the individual's needs and may include:

• **Health and Disability Support**: Includes access to healthcare services, therapies (e.g., occupational therapy, speech therapy), and assistance with daily living tasks (e.g., personal care, mobility aids).
• **Advocacy Services**: Advocacy services ensure individuals with intellectual disabilities can voice their opinions and make decisions about their lives. Advocacy groups work to protect their rights and help navigate legal and service-related matters.
• **Educational Support**: Special education services and programs, from early childhood through to tertiary education, are available to meet diverse learning needs. Schools and universities often offer tailored support plans.
• **Employment Services**: Employment support helps individuals find meaningful work opportunities, with services such as job coaching, workplace modifications, and career counseling.
• **Social Services**: Programs that assist with community participation, relationships, and social activities.
• **Government Programs**: There are various funding programs (such as **NASC** services) that assist individuals with disabilities in accessing the support they need.

For more detailed support options, you can visit **Your Way | Kia Roha** here.

Funding for disability services is often accessed through a **Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC)** process. A NASC provider will assess the individual’s needs and determine the level of funding and support required. The key funding support includes:

• **Disability Support Services**: Provided by the Ministry of Health, these funds can help pay for services such as home help, personal care, or residential care.
• **Individualised Funding (IF)**: A flexible form of funding that allows individuals to choose and control the services they need.
• **Residential Support Subsidy (RSS)**: Assists with the cost of living in a supported residential setting.

You can contact your local **NASC** provider for a full assessment. A list of NASC providers is available on the Ministry of Health website here.

People with intellectual disabilities have the same rights as everyone else, as outlined in several key pieces of legislation. These include:

• **The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990**: Guarantees the rights of all citizens, including those with disabilities, to equality, participation, and freedom from discrimination.
• **The Human Rights Act 1993**: Protects people from discrimination based on disability, among other characteristics.
• **The Disability Discrimination Act**: Prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, education, housing, and public services.
• **The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)**: An international treaty adopted by New Zealand to ensure the rights and freedoms of disabled people are respected globally.
• **The Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994**: Protects the rights of individuals receiving health and disability services in New Zealand, ensuring they are treated with respect and dignity.

For more detailed information about disability rights in New Zealand, visit the **Health and Disability Commissioner** website here.

If your support needs have changed, it is important to review and update your support plan. To do this:

• **Contact your NASC provider**: They can reassess your needs and adjust the support plan and funding accordingly.
• **Request a reassessment**: You can ask your local NASC provider for a reassessment if your circumstances have changed (e.g., health needs, living situation, or personal preferences).
• **Explore additional services**: In some cases, you may qualify for new support programs or funding based on your updated needs.
• **Involve your family or support network**: Collaborating with your support network can help identify any new areas of need that should be addressed in your updated plan.

Supporting someone with an intellectual disability to live independently can involve:

• **Supported Living**: Programs that assist individuals to live in their own homes with the necessary support, such as help with cooking, cleaning, and personal care.
• **Social Skills Development**: Many programs focus on building the social skills necessary to live independently, including communication, problem-solving, and financial management.
• **Employment and Volunteering**: Encouraging participation in work or volunteer opportunities to foster independence and community integration.
• **Accessible Housing**: Ensuring that the individual’s living space is accessible and meets their needs (e.g., ramps, accessible bathroom facilities, etc.).
• **Community Engagement**: Involvement in local community groups, sports, and recreational activities to build social networks and independence.

You can explore resources for supported living and community engagement through organizations like **Kaikaranga** here.

The **Total Mobility Scheme** provides subsidised transport for people with long-term impairments who are unable to use public transport. To access this service, you need to:

• **Check Eligibility**: To qualify, the person must have a permanent disability that severely limits their ability to use public transport.
• **Apply for the Scheme**: Applications can be made through your local council or transport provider.
• **Access Subsidised Travel**: Once registered, eligible individuals can access reduced fares for taxis or special transport services.

For more information about eligibility and how to apply, visit the **Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency** website here.