Independent Living Charitable Trust

Disability Support Services (DSS) recently ran a survey inviting all Disability support providers and the disabled community to respond. Independent Living responded to the survey. DSS will shortly embark on the next phase of their consultation. In this video DSS Deputy Chief Executive Chris Bunny talks about the upcoming consultation. We will keep you informed of the opportunities for you to participate, and any outcomes or findings. https://lnkd.in/gjaJcgC7

This is a free online game to help young people. It has been designed with young people with intellectual disabilities or neurodiversity in mind – to help people feel more comfortable living independently. After creating your own avatar, the game teaches skills such as budgeting, chores and looking after your wellbeing. The game is downloadable on mobile and web devices. More information can be found on IHC’s website here: https://lnkd.in/g6NwG33W

Christmas Hours Reminder: As usual, Independent Living stores will have a short close down period over summer. Our Christmas and holiday store hours are below. Christmas shutdown: Our stores close at 4pm on Saturday 21st December and re-open at 9am on Friday 3rd January. Our online store will be taking orders over the break - but orders won't be processed until our return on 3 January. For full details please head to our website: https://lnkd.in/gyFpv7Fv

Update on the recent DSS survey Thank you to those of you who responded to the DSS (Disability Support Services) survey on people's experiences with the service and what needed to change. This video explains the key findings of the survey and next steps High-level themes in the feedback include: - Disability Support Services are useful and appropriate, but they could be better in sharing information between government agencies. - Better communication and information is needed - DSS services are not delivered consistently - Flexible funding is crucial to enable disabled people to live good lives. - Services should be more flexible, and should reflect and adapt to the diversity of disability and family situations. - The assessment should reflect the diversity of people’s disabilities, and recognise the role of carers. We look forward to sharing with you the follow up consultation process and any outcomes as DSS announce them.

Not all disabilities are obvious and Auckland One Rail (who manage the metro Rail network for AT) is working hard to make rail journeys more inclusive for everyone, by providing reassurance and support along the way. Through the Hidden Disability Sunflower programme customers with a Sunflower lanyard or badge travelling through specific train stations can indicate to staff that they may need some help or a little more time. Customer Service staff will now be on hand at the following stations to support any rail customers who are part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme: · Waitematā (Britomart) and Newmarket when stations are open · Ōtāhuhu Monday to Friday · Papakura 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday · New Lynn 6am to 2pm, Monday to Friday, and · Panmure 6am to 2pm, Monday to Friday. You can check them out the locations here: https://lnkd.in/gptCyxvv Not all disabilities are obvious and we're delighted to see AOR is working hard to make rail journeys more inclusive for everyone, by providing reassurance and support along the way.

Big news this week as Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People has become a standalone ministry as of December 1 2024.

As we celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities today, the team at Independent Living reflect on how blessed we are to be surrounded everyday by such a diverse community of strong and competent customers, clients, family members and staff all living with disability. Sharing their lived experience provides us the motivation to help every person live life their way!     This zest for life is embodied in two of our own team members who met one another at the Laura Fergusson Trust rehab centre. Tony (living with MD Muscular Dystrophy - first picture) has been providing Independent Living customers valuable disability information, advice, and access solutions, since the early 1990s. He encouraged Russ (wheelchair user due to an accident - second picture) to also come work with us in 1999. Since then, these two friends have been integral to the success of Independent Living, and we thank them.    To all our community of customers, advisors, staff, and other organisations in the disability sector - Happy International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Temporary closure: Our stores will be closed for tomorrow afternoon, Tuesday 3rd December from 12.30pm for our staff Christmas celebration and will reopen as normal on Wednesday 4th December. Thank you for your understanding.

Accessibility in Supermarkets – have your say and be in to Win! Our good friends at All is for All are interested to understand the challenges and issues faced by those with a disability or mobility concern when shopping at a supermarket. By answering the survey, not only are you helping inform future supermarket design – you could also WIN a $200 supermarket voucher. Complete the survey here: https://lnkd.in/geMh_rB3

Access Matters Aotearoa are running a FREE series of kōrero for change webinars on matters of importance to our disabled community. The next webinar is on emergency preparedness and is taking place on Wednesday 11th December from 1-4pm.     A great line up of speakers - so if you want to hear from the experts - why not sign up below.